Many people have had to wear retainers in their life, but fewer have heard of a bonded lingual retainer. Let’s get the definition out of the way first: A bonded lingual retainer is exactly what it sounds like—a retainer that’s bonded onto your tongue instead of your teeth or gums. But there are other kinds of lingual retainers as well; this article will explain both kinds so you can see which might be right for you.
How Long Do Bonded Retainers Last?
If you’re not sure how long your retainer will last, ask your dentist. He or she can tell you if your retainer has passed its expiration date and help to determine whether it’s time for a new one. Even though bonded retainer can be worn indefinitely, there are some circumstances that might call for replacement. Your dentist is often best-suited to make that determination for you. If a retainer becomes so loose that it is no longer providing adequate support, or if you experience signs of irritation after wearing it—such as soreness in your mouth or difficulty swallowing—it may be time to get a new one. (All information courtesy of American Dental Association) If You’re Not Sure How Long Your Retainer Will Last, Ask Your Dentist: As with most dental devices, it’s important to keep track of your retainer’s age. Dentists typically recommend replacing them every two years, but older models may lose their effectiveness sooner than that. Over time, teeth shift and move back into place on their own without any extra help from appliances such as retainers. For some people who wear them regularly throughout their lives—even those who don’t have missing teeth—retainers eventually become obsolete because they no longer provide additional benefits over regular oral hygiene habits alone.
How Much Do Bonded Lingual Retainers Cost?
It depends on your dental insurance and if you have any; but for patients who do not have dental insurance, a lingual retainer generally costs between $200 and $600. The cost of getting bonded lingual retainers is higher for patients with no insurance because it’s considered an elective treatment. At Ocean Dental, we provide all of our customers with affordable options to get bonded lingual retainers so you never have to worry about how much they cost. We pride ourselves on being a dentistry that cares about people first, so we make sure our prices are accessible to everyone. Call us today at (510) 533-8600 or fill out our online form to set up an appointment today! For those without dental insurance, how can I pay for my bonded lingual retainers? There are many ways to pay for them. You can pay in full before receiving your service, finance them through CareCredit , or work out a payment plan directly with Dr. Lee . For those without any kind of coverage, financing is usually your best option. Our office works closely with CareCredit to offer our patients low monthly payments towards their treatment plan and give them flexible payment plans so they can take care of their finances accordingly. Most credit cards don’t cover things like orthodontic services—which means financing may be one of your only options if you’re looking into paying off your service over time instead of paying in full at once.
What Is A Bonded Lingual Retainer Technique?
A bonded lingual retainer technique is used to treat issues such as an open bite, crowding, and other malocclusions. This technique involves applying tooth-colored plastic retainers to straighten teeth. To start off, your dentist will create an impression of your upper and lower teeth, which is then sent to a lab for fabrication. Next, you will have impressions of your bite made; these are then merged with CAD/CAM technology in order to design a tooth-colored retainer that corresponds to them perfectly. Your dentist will then fasten these retainers onto your teeth using wax; from there you can brush and floss just like normal until they’re ready for placement. Once he or she has finished aligning them properly, Dr. Houser will remove them and apply bonding material to ensure that they stay in place permanently. At first, it may be uncomfortable having something placed on your teeth without being able to move it around yourself, but after some time passes you should get used to it. If you feel as though something isn’t right about how it feels, don’t hesitate to contact our office so we can adjust it! We hope that by explaining what a bonded lingual retainer is we have helped you understand what goes into getting one fitted for yourself! If you would like more information on any of our services please give us a call at (816) 781-7707 today!
Why Do People Need Bonded Retainers?
Regardless of how good your dental hygiene habits are, there will always be small areas in your mouth that you can’t clean yourself or reach. These spaces between teeth, under gums and behind plates are perfect for trapping food and leading to dental problems, including tooth decay. While many people need retainers to correct irregular bites or crooked teeth, others may only require them for oral hygiene reasons. For those who suffer from sleep apnea or nighttime dry mouth syndrome, a bonded lingual retainer is often helpful in keeping airways clear while they sleep and protecting enamel and preventing gum recession at night when saliva flow is at its lowest point. Contact our office today to learn more about bonded lingual retainers and how they can benefit you.
What Are The Benefits Of Bonded Lingual Retainers?
The main benefit to a bonded lingual retainer is its convenience. With a removable retainer, you have to worry about constantly cleaning it and making sure it’s not falling out. With a bonded retainer, there are no additional steps in terms of maintenance; once it’s attached, you don’t have to worry about doing anything else with it! This can make wearing braces much more convenient and less stressful. Bonded retainers do also tend to fit better than other types of retainers, which means that they’re less likely to come loose during eating or drinking (especially helpful if you like something fizzy). In addition, they tend to last longer than removable retainers because they can’t be removed by accident or on purpose!
How To Care For A Bonded Retainer?
Removing a bonded retainer is not something most people can do at home, so you’ll have to set up an appointment with your dentist. The length of time it takes to remove a bonded retainer will depend on how long it has been in place; typically, however, it takes one to two hours. It might be difficult for you or your children (depending on age) to eat while wearing a bonded retainer because it often feels like there is an object in your mouth that you can’t push aside with your tongue or lips. To help remedy these problems, talk with your dentist about placing floss between each wire in a bonded retainer. This will make removing food easier and prevent food from getting caught in between wires during eating.
