Once your braces have been removed your smile will be beautiful, straight, and best of all, metal-free! However, your orthodontic journey isn't complete. To keep your smile looking its best, you'll need to wear a retainer to preserve and stabilize your results. Retainers are needed to control or limit potential changes in tooth position. They are used after braces or invisalign to hold teeth in their correct alignment while the surrounding gums, bone, and muscle adjust to the new positioning of your teeth.
- Wear your retainer at all times except eating and brushing, until the doctor instructs otherwise. Routinely you will be asked to wear retainers full-time for the first 3 months then night-time for a lifetime to maintain that awesome smile!
- Removable retainers must be worn even if you have permanent wire retainers.
- Take your retainer out when eating, and always store it in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
- Clean the retainer thoroughly with a toothbrush and toothpaste every time you brush your teeth. 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 your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case or it will get lost or broken. Keep out of reach of pets. Dogs love to chew on retainers!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing aloud to get adjusted to it faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately to have it replaced.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
- Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
- Two sets of clear retainers are included with every Full Orthodontic Treatment.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, washing machines, and napkins.
