Compression wires

Q: How do I make a dental retainer?

Orthodontic brackets are made from an optical impression, which is sent to the laboratory to produce the brackets: these are metal wires, with the addition of a plate or aligners, depending on the case.

Q: What are orthodontic wires?

Brace wires are custom-made from metal alloy and bonded to the inner surface of the lower and/or upper teeth, usually from canine to canine.

Q: When should I use compression wire?

Wires are used at the end of orthodontic treatment, or whenever you want to maintain tooth position and prevent teeth from shifting.

The aim: to maintain the alignment achieved through orthodontic treatment using wires bonded from canine to canine. At the end of orthodontic treatment, teeth are highly mobile; without contention they would move and return to their original position.

Dental hygiene

Use interdental brushes under the retainer wire 1 time a day, in the evening

Instructions for use

avoid crunching hard foods with front teeth
if the wire comes loose, call us back promptly to reattach it before the teeth move
avoid cutting or pulling the wire as much as possible should it hurt, use wax to soothe yourself while you wait for your emergency appointment
also get into the habit of observing your teeth carefully to see if they move: indeed, if an intermediate tooth in the wire comes loose, you may not feel it. Call us if in doubt

Caution! If one of your wires comes loose, contact us immediately. Once your teeth have shifted, it'll be too late!

What is orthodontic retention?

Orthodontic retention is a system designed to maintain the results achieved with braces. It is an essential step that must not be neglected. It must be worn for life to prevent recurrence.

How do I make a dental retainer?

What are orthodontic wires?

When should I use compression wire?

Can teeth move after braces?

When braces are removed, teeth are quite mobile in the bone, and retention is the only way to prevent them from returning to their original position, and thus maintain a stable result. What’s more, teeth move all their lives, whether the patient has had orthodontic treatment or not… It’s physiological! As bone loss accelerates, teeth become more sensitive to external forces, such as pressure exerted by the tongue or lips. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced from the age of 40 onwards. This is why retention wires need to be kept in place, ideally for life.

How do I clean my support wire?

Cleaning around the retention wire can be more difficult, as tartar forms more quickly. To clean, place the toothbrush vertically and move it outwards from the mouth. Micro-brushes or dental floss can also help to improve cleaning by complementing the toothbrush. Your orthodontist will explain how to proceed when the wire is fitted. An appointment with your hygienist once a year, or more frequently as advised by your hygienist, is recommended to prevent tartar build-up.