Congratulations! You have completed the active phase of orthodontic treatment.
During the active phase of your treatment, your teeth were moved
into their current position. Now, you have to help keep your teeth in
place.
That's where the next phase of treatment, retention, comes in
and it is every bit as important as the active phase. Wearing retainers
is simple, but it requires your cooperation for success.
To Do Your Part: Wear your retainers as prescribed by the orthodontist. Keep your retainers clean. Store your retainers properly when you are not wearing them. Avoid damaging your retainers (check your specific retainer type for the Don'ts). Let the orthodontist know as soon as possible should the retainer feel like it is not fitting properly.
Retainers come in three major types: standard removable retainers, essix (clear) removable retainers,
and cemented or non-removable retainers. The orthodontist will select
the one most appropriate to your specific case. Each type of retainer
has specific wear and care instructions. Please follow these
instructions as carefully as possible.
The retention phase of treatment should be viewed as a continuation
of orthodontic treatment. It is very important to wear your retainers as
prescribed by the orthodontist. Proper retainer wear will help to hold
your teeth in their new positions.
If you do not wear your retainers as prescribed, your teeth
will move or shift as your teeth try to return to the original positions
they occupied before you began orthodontic treatment. If you stop
wearing your retainers too early, the teeth will move rapidly.
When We Need to See You Once you receive your retainers, you will need to come in at 8 week
intervals. The orthodontist will assess your progress and may lengthen
these intervals to 3 months, 6 months or 1 year depending on your
individual case.
Please try and keep to the schedule that the
orthodontist prescribes as the earlier shifting or movement is detected
the easier it will be for the orthodontist to minimize it.
Patients who do not wear their retainers as prescribed may require
retreatment. We will gladly retreat you for relapse that you caused by
not wearing your retainer(s), but you will be charged for such
treatment.
Lost or Broken Retainers
Should you lose or break one of your retainers, please call the
office. We will schedule an appointment with the orthodontist. Broken
retainers may require a repair rather than a total replacement.
There is a charge for replacement retainers.
If you do require a replacement retainer, we will need to schedule
two appointments, each equally important. The first appointment will be
to take an impression of your teeth so that we may fabricate a new
retainer. The second appointment is to fit the retainer. As with your
first retainer(s), the replacement retainer(s) need to be fitted to the
teeth by the orthodontist.
Frequently Asked Questions - Retainer Wear and Use
How Can I Clean My Retainer?
If you have a standard retainer (not clear), then simply brush the
retainer when you brush your teeth. If you have an Essix retainer
(clear), then clean the retainer also by brushing, but do not use
toothpaste as this will make the retainer look cloudy. For both types of
retainers, you should soak your retainer in a denture cleaner at least
once a week.
Never put your retainer in hot or boiling water to clean it as this
will distort and/or melt the retainer. Never put your retainer in the
dishwasher. It will definitely melt.
How Long Will I Have to Wear My Retainer
You will probably wear your retainer for between two and four years.
You spent a number of months getting your teeth in place with braces,
now you have to make sure that result stabilizes by wearing your
retainers. As the retention phase of your treatment progresses, you will
wear your retainers fewer hours per week.
If I Don't Wear My Retainers, What Will Happen?
If you do not wear your retainers as prescribed, your teeth will
move. Such movement may require retreatment at an extra charge to you.
What Happens If I Lose or Break My Retainer?
Should you lose or break one of your retainers, please call the
office at 978-256-2526. We will schedule an appointment with the
orthodontist. Broken retainers may require a repair rather than a total
replacement.
There is a charge for replacement retainers.
If you do require a replacement retainer, we will need to schedule
two appointments, each equally important. The first appointment will be
to take an impression of your teeth so that we may fabricate a new
retainer. The second appointment is to fit the retainer. As with your
first retainer(s), the replacement retainer(s) need to be fitted to the
teeth by the orthodontist.
Wearing The Retainer
Check for specific instructions under the type of retainer you have: standard (removable), essix (clear removable), or cemented (non-removable).
Know Where It Is - First rule of retainer
wear: when you are not wearing your retainer, keep it in the retainer
case provided along with a damp paper towel.
Pick a Time - If you are not wearing your
retainer 24 hours, try and pick a time to wear it as prescribed so that
retainer wear becomes part of your normal routine.
Cleaning
Brush your retainer when you brush your teeth.
Once a week, you may wish to soak your retainer in denture cleaner to freshen it up.
Never try and clean your retainer in the dishwasher or in boiling water. It will melt.
