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When the time comes for Dr. Karen Seder to remove your braces, it is very exciting. Unfortunately, it can be somewhat confusing, too, because you are faced with choosing between two kinds of retainers. Should you go with permanent, removable, or a combination of the two? It is always wise to follow Seder Orthodontics recommendations, but knowing more about the two types of retainer beforehand can be helpful.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers offer the advantage of easy use: you will generally put a removable retainer in at night and take it out in the morning. Regardless of your retainer schedule, you'll be able to enjoy some time with no retainer. However, a removable retainer can easily be forgotten at times, and this means you won't be taking full advantage of teeth retention.

Another potential advantage of a removable retainer is that you can take it out and brush and floss your teeth with ease, which is more of a challenge with a permanent retainer. Although removable retainers can be very effective, they don't tend to be as effective as permanent retainers, especially if they are not used as directed.

Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers are the clear choice for patients who want to “get it and forget it.” Once your permanent retainer is placed in your mouth, you won’t need to worry about daily retainer schedules, since it is permanently affixed to your teeth.

Because teeth begin to shift naturally as we age, a permanent retainer typically offers better long-term results for teeth straightening than a removable one. You can't forget to put it in — it's already there! Temporary retainers get lost or are forgotten on trips, and often fail to get used as often as they should be.

One drawback to permanent retainers is flossing. Some patients find it more difficult to floss with a permanent retainer, but we can show you effective ways to floss fairly quickly with your permanent retainer.

Some orthodontists may recommend a combination of the two; for example, a removable retainer for the top teeth and a permanent one for the lower ones because the lower teeth are smaller and tend to shift more.

Ultimately, the most important thing to remember is that wearing your retainer as directed is extremely important. As long as you follow our orthodontist’s advice, you will get the best results from your retainer, regardless of its type. If you’re still not sure whether the choice you’ve made is truly right for you, get in touch with us at our Chicago, IL location right away!

Dr. Seder and our team at Seder Orthodontics are excited to announce we offer the AcceleDent System! AcceleDent, the first and only orthodontic micropulse device of its kind, can actually reduce the time you spend wearing braces 38%-to-50% faster than usual.

Orthopedic doctors have been using micropulse technology for years, but it just recently became available for orthodontic treatment. The AcceleDent System consists of a light, comfortable, hands-free appliance that patients use for 20 minutes per day. Its gentle microvibrations help stimulate bone movement, resulting in the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

To learn if AcceleDent is right for you, please give us a call at our convenient Chicago, IL office to schedule an initial appointment with Dr. Seder.

For more information, we recommend you visit www.acceledent.com.

To honor our graduating patients, our team at Seder Orthodontics is giving away 2 Lenovo Ideatab Tablets!

One Prize Will Be Awarded To Each Category:

• 8th Grade Graduation
• High School Graduation

To enter, send our office your graduation photo!

(This can be emailed, mailed, or brought into our office during your next appointment!)

Entries must be delivered to our office by Thursday, August 1st

Email photos to karenseder@sbcglobal.net

Good Luck! We can't wait so see all your photos!

Can you believe it’s already June? Today, Dr. Karen Seder and our team at Seder Orthodontics thought we’d tell you June is National Smile Month, and a good time to remind all our patients to practice good oral hygiene while you are wearing braces!

Below are a few simple steps you can take to improve your oral health so that you may celebrate National Smile Month for many, many years to come:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss every day to clean between your teeth
• Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
• Visit your dentist every six months, or as recommended

If you have questions about any of these tips, we encourage you to give us a call, ask our team during your next adjustment visit at our Chicago, IL office, or ask us on Facebook!