Ritter & Ritter, Zahnärzte für Kieferorthopädie, Frankfurt/Main

Once the corrective stage of treatment has been completed, and the teeth have been moved to their optimal position, they have to be stabilized in this new alignment. Only when this is done, can the teeth firm up again, and stay in that position. This is the retention phase. How long this lasts, varies from patient to patient.

Our teeth are not embedded in cement-like bone, but anchored by means of elastic-like bands in malleable bone material. Our bones regenerate over a whole lifetime, just as the elasticity of the bands change over the course of time.

Through the action of a bonded retainer, where a thin wire is attached to the back of the teeth, or a removable retainer worn at night, the effects of the orthodontic treatment are given a chance to stabilize. A beautiful smile can last a lifetime.