Congratulations! Now Let's Keep That Smile!
That fact is you are in charge of keeping your teeth straight. How do you do this? By wearing your retainers. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far. Retainers are used for two reasons: first, to allow bone to rebuild after your teeth have been moved, and second, to keep individual teeth from drifting.
Retainers Preserve and Stabilize the Results Achieved by Your Orthodontic Treatment
The tongue, lips and supporting structures must adapt to the new positions of your teeth and retainers prevent them from moving back to their original positions. Most of your corrections can be maintained but small changes may occur as your teeth settle or adjust to function properly. Good retainer wear is absolutely necessary to hold your results.
Wear Retainers As Directed
- Initial adjustments may include some mild discomfort, extra saliva and slight speech alterations which are temporary.
- If you experience any problems wearing your retainers, call our office to arrange an adjustment visit.
- Retainers cannot be worn too long.
Keep Your Reatiners Clean
- Remember to remove your retainer before eating and brushing your teeth, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.
- Brush the retainer with a toothbrush and toothpaste (acrylic type) or dish soap (clear plastic sleeve type) frequently.
- Acrylic retainers should also be soaked 2-3 times a week in a denture cleanser to keep them extra clean and fresh. If the retainer begins to discolor or hard deposits have formed then 10 days of dentasoak can be used
- Never place retainers in hot water or in the dishwasher.
- Following illness, disinfect using alcohol only and then thoroughly rinse with water.
Handle Retainers with Care
- Do not wrap retainers in a napkin or they may become mistakenly discarded.
- Do not place retainers in your pocket where they may become broken.
- Keep your retainers safe from pets, especially dogs love to chew on retainers.
- Any time you are not wearing or cleaning your retainers, store them in the protective case.
Please remember to bring your retainers to all future visits!