Which Retainers to Use for Patients at Risk of Caries

When it comes to your patients, ensuring you’ve chosen the most effective type of retainer is crucial as part of any dentist consultation. Indeed, finishing cases successfully is often difficult if you’ve started with the wrong type – and such can be the case for patients at risk of dental caries. With this thought in mind, we’re looking at some of the key things you should consider when choosing retainers for patients risking dental caries.
What are Caries?
Dental caries is a term that refers to tooth decay, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in our modern society. There are numerous potential reasons for tooth decay to occur, such as consuming a high-sugar diet or eating with retainers on (and not cleaning the teeth and retainers subsequently).
What Retainers to Suggest for Dental Caries Patients
If a patient is at high risk of dental caries, usually due to poor dental hygiene, it’s important to find the right type of retainer. Generally speaking, it’s worth considering that a bonded retainer won’t be suited to a dental caries patient. Similarly, Essex retainers may also be a poor choice.
A traditional Hawley retainer is a good option for a cost-effective retainer that could work with a caries patient. They also allow the bite to fully seat, which can be helpful – though they need to be worn full-time. A custom-made positioner can also be a good option potentially; they’re generally less popular, but they don’t need to be worn all the time.
Always Check a Patient’s Caries Risk During Their Dentist Consultation
Before you begin working with a patient, make sure you’ve considered their dental caries risk during the initial dentist consultation. This simple check can help ensure that your patients have the best chance of finishing cases easily without the hassle or needing multiple revisions.