When braces are removed, retainers are fabricated to hold your new smile. Retainers are critical as teeth move throughout our lives as our body changes. Your final orthodontic result relies on your compliance to wear your retainers as the final settling of your bite is completed. The retention phase of treatment, when you are regularly checked by your doctor, lasts for 12 months. Routine checks and adjustments will be necessary during this time period. Remember, teeth move throughout life, therefore, retainers are necessary if you want to keep your new beautiful smile.

Removable Retainers

Retainer design is determined by the doctor to best suit your individual needs. Hawley, Wrap-around and Essix (clear) retainers are the choices for removable retainers.

Fixed Retainers

Bonded lingual retainers are cemented to the inside of your teeth; they cannot be removed by the patient. This is one of the best forms of retention as your teeth always have the tendency to shift. Hygiene is critical and patients must be cautious when eating as breakage and distortion can affect the success of your retention.

Retainer Instructions

• Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainers out when eating, and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and clear anti-bacterial soap. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
• Retainer replacement is expensive; with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove retainers when swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.