Best Orthodontic Retainers in Redwood City & Palo Alto
At Blue Turtle Dental, we specialize in mouthguards and retainers in Redwood City and Palo Alto that guarantee the highest quality, efficiency, functionality, and durability. Nightguards and sports guards are dental devices that come under the category of dental guards or mouthguards that act as mouth protectors for your teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and cheek from trauma. Retainers are an orthodontic device that positions your teeth in place after you have undergone orthodontic treatment.
The devices, though they look similar, have different goals. Let’s take a look at the common functions of nightguards, sports guards, and retainers.
Nightguards:
Nightguards are dental devices that act like mouth protectors for your teeth. They create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth and are used mainly to prevent teeth damage due to teeth grinding or jaw clenching which is a part of bruxism, a sleep-related movement disorder, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), and relieve symptoms such as chronic headache.
Teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or bruxism can cause the wearing out of your enamel leading to tooth sensitivity and pain, cavities, fractures, nerve inflammation leading to a breakdown of the periodontium, internal derangement, muscular dysfunction, gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth death.
If left untreated, bruxism can permanently damage your teeth and gums. If teeth grinding is affecting your life, talk to us about nightguards in Redwood City and Palo Alto to help alleviate your symptoms.
Sports Guards: Another dental device that we specialize in are sports guards. Sports guards are dental devices that act like mouth protectors for your teeth, gums, tongue, lips, and cheek from trauma. They create a barrier between your upper and lower teeth and help cushion any blows to your face, minimize the risk of broken teeth and jaw injuries, and remove the pain and tension in your jaw muscles. A sports guard is also referred to as a dental guard, an occlusal guard, or a bite splint.
Sports guards are used mainly to prevent teeth damage due to sports.
Retainers: Retainers are dental devices that help teeth maintain their new position after your orthodontic braces are removed. Usually, this is vital as teeth have powerful forces pulling them back to their natural position when the braces are removed. Therefore, retainers will ensure that your gorgeous new smile lasts a lifetime.
At Blue Turtle Dental, we specialize in fixed and removable retainers. As the names suggest, fixed retainers and permanent retainers are designed to remain in place indefinitely. This type of retainer is made of stainless steel wire and is fasted onto the tongue side (lingual side) of your front teeth (first 4-6 teeth). Generally, the front teeth are the ones likely to move back to their natural position once the orthodontic treatment is over.
Removable retainers are to be worn as instructed by your dentist. Typically, they are advised 24/7 for some time after the end of the orthodontic treatment and nightly after that. They can be removed as needed. They are constructed of transparent, clear plastic and are pretty inconspicuous.
For nightguards, sports guards, and retainers in Redwood City and Palo Alto, CA, Blue Turtle Dental uses DIGITAL Scanners, so you don’t have to deal with messy goopy impressions. We are able to make less of an imprint on the environment and it’s virtually painless! Most importantly, you can be assured of great fit and comfort.
