Teeth Straightening in Stamford, CT | Dental Care of Stamford (2024)

There are several methods for straightening teeth, including:

• Traditional metal braces: Fixed brackets and wires that gradually move teeth into place.
• Ceramic braces: Similar to metal braces but with tooth-colored or clear brackets.
• Lingual braces: Metal braces placed on the back of the teeth.
• Clear aligners: Removable trays like Invisalign that gradually shift teeth.
• Veneers: Cosmetic solution for minor misalignments by covering the tooth’s surface​

Yes, retainers are essential after teeth straightening treatment to maintain the new alignment. Retainers prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions and are typically worn nightly​.

Importance of Wearing Retainers Long-Term

Wearing retainers after orthodontic treatment is crucial for maintaining the alignment of your teeth. After braces or aligners move your teeth into their new positions, the tissues and bones around your teeth need time to stabilize. Retainers help to hold the teeth in their new positions while these structures solidify. The initial period after orthodontic treatment is particularly critical, and retainers are typically worn full-time for several months to a year.

Long-Term Retainer Use

Orthodontists usually recommend that retainers be worn nightly for life to ensure that teeth remain in their new positions. Teeth have a natural tendency to shift back to their original positions, a phenomenon known as relapse. The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is designed to prevent this movement. Without consistent retainer use, teeth can gradually move back, sometimes leading to noticeable shifts that could require additional orthodontic treatment to correct​

Consequences of Not Wearing Retainers

If retainers are not worn as prescribed:

• Teeth Shifting: The teeth can gradually move back towards their original positions.
• Crowding and Misalignment: Previously corrected issues such as crowding and bite problems can reappear.
• Need for Additional Treatment: Significant movement might necessitate further orthodontic treatment, which could be costly and time-consuming.

Expert Recommendations

Most orthodontists agree that lifelong retainer wear is the best practice to maintain the results of orthodontic treatment. This typically means wearing the retainer every night. Some people might reduce the frequency to a few nights a week over time, but this should be done under the guidance of an orthodontist to ensure that teeth remain stable​.

Stamford, CT, named for Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, is located on the Long Island Sound and was a popular place for New Yorkers to build summer homes in the late 1800s. Many loved the area so much that they moved here permanently and commuted to the city by train to work and conduct their business. Just as those new residents found the quaint town of the day to have a unique charm, we join the other Stamford residents of today who love this city for its special flair. Many people find this surprising because New Haven and Bridgeport are the only cities in Connecticut with higher populations than Stamford. Still, its long history has helped it develop into a truly unique modern municipality. Seated about halfway between New York City and New Haven, this city of around 130,000 is considered to be part of the New York metropolitan area, but offers residents more of a hometown feel.

Part of the reason for that small-town charm and comfort level in Stamford is its low crime rate.FBI statisticsshow that our city is the 16th safest of the 269 cities in the country. This is quite an achievement for an area that is part of the largest metropolis in the country. Crime control is one of the many things that contribute to residents choosing Stamford as their home. Compared with similar-sized cities, both in Connecticut and in the rest of the country, it is rare to find a safe haven like this. There is certainly a direct correlation between the city’s economic growth in recent years and the low crime rate that our citizens enjoy.

Stamford is a thriving economy in and of itself, with the largest financial district in the metropolitan area, aside from Manhattan. As the home of nine Fortune 500 companies, Stamford features one of the most concentrated centers of corporations in the entire country. Norwalk Community College and UConn Stamford are located here, along with several other popular schools, bringing new minds to the city and encouraging the local economy’s growth. Some of the dominant sectors of the current economy include retail, transportation, telecommunications, health care, information technology, tourism, and financial services. There is no other place for our office to make its home with a vibrant urban pulse like this.