Retainers

Retention is the final stage of orthodontic treatment and starts when the braces are removed. Retainers are made to hold your teeth in their new, corrected position. Retention is necessary and very important because teeth have a natural tendency to return to their original position and to change with aging. If you don’t wear your retainers your teeth will move!

Just like there are different orthodontic treatment plans for individual patients there are also different retention plans. Your orthodontist will advise you how your retainers should be worn. In some cases, permanent retention or other special procedures are required to stop teeth from moving.

Once the braces are removed, it is your responsibility to keep your teeth in their corrected position for a lifetime. For your retainers to work you must:

• WEAR THEM!

  Your retainers must be worn as advised or your teeth will move. Please bring your retainers to your appointments so they can be checked.

• KEEP THEM CLEAN!

  Clean your retainer carefully and thoroughly once per day with a toothbrush and warm water. The lower bonded retainer wire should be cleaned too. It is important to get between the teeth and under the wire daily with dental floss. We’ll show you how.

• HANDLE WITH CARE!

  Retainers can be easily lost or broken so please treat them with care. The safest place for your retainer is in your mouth. When they are removed, retainers should ALWAYS be placed in a retainer case. At restaurants, do not wrap your retainer in a napkin because they can get accidentally thrown away. Dogs seem to like chewing on retainers, perhaps because they smell like their owner. In addition, keep your retainer away from hot water, car dashboards, pockets and washing machines.

With proper care retainers can last for many years and when worn as advised the reward will be a lifetime of beautiful smiles

Retainers can be replaced but it is expensive and your teeth may move if the retainer is not replaced immediately.

If your retainer is lost, broken, needs adjusting or does not fit properly, please call the office immediately.

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