Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums
Braces and retainers both are orthodontic tools and serve different purposes. You can not use one in exchange for another.
Braces are used for correcting various dental issues like crossbite, misalignment, uneven positioning, or crowding between the teeth. Braces are effective in correcting serious dental issues that are causing problems with your smile.
Retainers, on the other hand, are used to prevent any dental relapse. Retainers are used after the braces. Once you are done with braces, you have to wear retainers. Retainers help teeth to stay in their new position. They prevent teeth from shifting back.
Once braces have corrected the posting or alignment of your teeth, braces keep them in their new position so that you can maintain a beautiful smile all your life. Both retainers and braces are equally important in teeth straightening treatment; you can complete the treatment if you skip any of them.
These were some of the traits of retainers and braces. Hope it will help you decide which one is better. Furthermore, make sure to consult your dentist if you face any issues with your retainers.