Retention and Retainer Instructions
- Wear your retainers as prescribed
- Don't let your retainers get damaged or bent (keep it in its case when not in the mouth)
- Don't leave your retainer within reach of pets
- Call us for a repair appointment if your retainers are ever damaged or loose
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. 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
- Visit your general dentist regularly for check- ups and cleanings
Congratulations, you have reached a milestone in your orthodontic treatment. When braces are removed, our patients begin the retention period of their orthodontic care. This phase is both exciting and extremely important. Once the teeth have been moved into their desired positions, a period of time is needed to stabilize the entire mouth. The teeth must be retained in order to hold their new positions. The soft tissues or gums, surrounding bone, the tongue and lips must adapt to the new dental alignment. Up to this point it has been a team effort but now the retention phase is up to "YOU."
At the completion of the active phase of orthodontic treatment, the braces will be removed. You will be fitted for a lower fixed lingual retainer, a removable lower (clear) Essex retainer and a removable upper Essex retainer.
1. The upper Essex retainer needs to be worn for 3 months full time. Remove this upper retainer only to eat and brush your teeth.
2. The lower Essex retainer should be worn at bedtime only
We will monitor retainer wear with an appointment one month after the placement of the retainers. Approximately five weeks after the removal of the braces, an upper Hawley retainer will be fitted and placed. This upper retainer should be worn indefinitely at bedtime. The retainer that has been bonded will also be worn indefinitely as long as there are no problems with oral hygiene. This final retainer must be fitted within six weeks to ensure proper retention. If retainers are not fitted within this time, your teeth may shift. This may result in the need for a new retainer and additional lab fees.
To maintain a beautiful smile:
Wells Orthodontics will monitor the retainers for ONE year. After the one-year period, you will only need to be seen at your discretion. Retainers do their best while in the mouth. However, should a retainer become lost or broken, call our office immediately. This will require an appointment for an impression and a fee will be applied. Retention is up to the patient, but please let us know if we can help in any way.
