The day your braces are removed will be a very exciting and rewarding day of celebration. At this time, retainers will be placed to hold the position of your teeth. Just as important as good cooperation was during your treatment, retainers are equally if not more important. Faithful retainer wear is imperative to maintaining your straight smile. Retainers are generally worn full-time (day and night) for the first three months following the removal of your braces. From that time on, you will wear your retainers at night only, unless otherwise advised. We will provide you with a case to keep your retainers in for protection. If you retainer is lost or broken, please contact the office as soon as possible to avoid any movement of your teeth. Cleaning your retainer is easy; just brush it with your toothbrush and toothpaste after brushing your teeth. Never soak your retainer in hot water or mouthwash, and never leave it in a place where it can be broken.
After the first year of the retention phase, you will be dismissed. Your teeth will still have a slight tendency to move back to their original position, so continue to wear your retainers as often as possible and as long as they fit properly. This is very easy to do and it will encourage less movement. If at any time you have any questions or your retainers need adjusting, please contact our office. We would love to see you again!
Retainers
Hawley Retainer
The Hawley retainer, one of the most common types, is a removable retainer made of a combination of metal wires and sturdy acrylic, and is designed to keep your teeth in place. This retainer is specially made from impressions of your teeth so that it fits snugly and comfortably in the roof of your mouth, while the wire or acrylic framing keeps your teeth in perfect position. The acrylic can also be personalized with a large number of colors and/or patterns.
Essix Retainer
The Essix retainer is a transparent removable retainer that fits over the entire arch of teeth. Similar to Invisalign® trays, Essix retainers have no wires.
Bonded Lingual Retainer
Bonded lingual retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of all 6 lower front teeth. This is one of the best ways to prevent your lower teeth from shifting as it is permanently attached! Patients with bonded lingual retainers must be careful with their bite as the bonding material may break due to incorrect biting and cause teeth to shift quickly. As with removable retainers, it is important to keep them clean. When brushing, make sure to carefully clean the inside of your lower teeth as well as the wire.