Retainers WHY do I need to where a retainer?
Wearing retainers is one of the most important phases of your orthodontic treatment. Together we have worked hard to get your teeth to their best possible position. However, when braces are removed, the teeth have a tendency to want to return to their original positions. To prevent this from happening and to allow the teeth to adapt to their new positions, retainers must be worn faithfully.
HOW LONG Should I wear my Retainer?
In most cases the retainers will need to be worn only at night. The length of time varies with each patient and depends on the relationship of your teeth. Typical retainer wear is 1 year every night, then 1 year every other night until the end of high school (the wisdom teeth issue has been dealt with). Adults need to wear their retainers indefinitely. The best way to ensure that your teeth remain straight is to wear your retainers for the rest of your life – as the whole body changes as we get older and so does the mouth. This does not mean all day, every day forever! You will wean out of your retainer but never throw it away.
RETAINER CARE?
When the retainers are removed in the morning, please brush them carefully with your toothbrush, toothpaste or soap as directed to remove all the plaque. If plaque deposits build up on your retainer, “Efferdent” makes a retainer cleaner which is available at most stores. During the day please put the retainers in the case provided (there is no need to keep them moist). If you have a dog, take every precaution to KEEP THE RETAINERS AWAY FROM YOUR DOG (even when they are in their case). Dogs love the smell and will seek them out and chew them to pieces. Please do not put the retainers or retainer case in direct sunlight or in boiling water to clean them. IF THESE RETAINERS ARE DAMAGED OR LOST, THERE IS ADDITIONAL CHARGE TO REPLACE THEM.
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Types of Retainers Overview
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For a brief overview of the different types of retainers, please click on the image below. It will launch our flash educational module in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about different types of retainers.
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Having trouble? Please make sure you have version 7 of the Flash browser plugin in order to correctly view this presentation. This software is available as a free download.
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If your retainers do not fit correctly or you are unable to wear them, please call the office immediately. Not wearing a retainer even for a short period of time may require a new retainer or possibly braces again at an additional cost.
RETAINER VISITS?
The short appointments needed to check your retainers and your teeth in the future are important. PLEASE BRING YOUR RETAINERS TO ALL OF THESE APPOINTMENTS. Be sure to visit your dentist soon for a check up.
AFTERTHOUGHT
The goal of your orthodontic treatment has been to accomplish the greatest possible improvement to your teeth permitted by your heredity and dental environment. There is no such thing as a perfect set of teeth. Minor tooth movement occurs in every mouth throughout life, whether or not there has been prior orthodontic treatment. The most common area for change is in the lower front teeth. These changes are normal and may be greatly minimized or possibly eliminated by continued retainer wear on a long term basis.
Remember, wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainers work when you follow our instructions.
NEVER WRAP YOUR RETAINER IN A NAPKIN!
Clean your retainers! After meals, clean all parts of the retainer with a brush.
Handle your retainers with care. Retainers are easy to lose. If you take your retainers out, always place them in your retainer case for safety.
