Retainers
CONGRATULATIONS!! YOU HAVE MADE IT TO RETAINERS!!!!
You are now entering an important phase of your orthodontic treatment. Custom made removable appliances (retainers) have been made for you, to hold your teeth in the corrected position. If the retainers are not worn, the teeth could begin to shift.
Wear your retainers at ALL times unless you are eating, swimming, or playing a sport that requires a mouthguard.
DO NOT put your retainer in your pocket. It may get broken by sitting on it.
DO NOT wrap it in a paper napkin or tissue and leave it on a lunch tray. Searching through garbage is not a pleasant experience.
ALWAYS keep your retainers in their case when not wearing them.
CLEAN your retainers in the following manner:
- Hold your retainer in the palm of your hand
- Carefully brush inside and outside surfaces using toothbrush and toothpaste
- Rinse in cold water. Do not soak the retainers in mouthwash, as this may cause them to become brittle and easily breakable.
DO NOT put in boiling water as this may distort the retainer. You may soak the retainers in denture cleaner or a clear mouthwash for no more than 3–5 minutes. (Colored solutions may turn your retainer that color.)
Be gentle when removing and replacing the appliances. DO NOT bite into place as this may crack your retainer. Push in place using a finger on each side.
DO NOT BITE ON YOUR RETAINER. This may break/crack your retainer.
If the retainers are broken or lost, call our office for an appointment. If broken, they may be repairable; if lost, a new one will be made. Replacement retainers are expensive, so please be careful. We want your beautiful smile to last a lifetime!
AFTER ONE YEAR The first year of retention is most important so the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth can reform to the new positions of the teeth. Yes, it takes almost one full year! After one year of retention DO NOT THROW AWAY YOUR RETAINERS. Continue wearing your retainers periodically at night for as long as you want to keep your teeth straight.
Teeth continue to move throughout life as a result of normal biting and chewing forces. Yes, tooth movement is part of the aging process!!!
The rest is up to you. The general rule is: If you do not feel pressure when replacing your retainers after having been out for a period of time, your teeth have not moved; if you feel pressure on your teeth you should wear them more often.
