CONGRATULATIONS! All your hard work has paid off! Now that you have completed the active phase of your orthodontic treatment, you are ready to complete the retention phase. The retainers will hold your new smile in the corrected position. Initially you will need to wear your retainers at all times, only taking them out to eat or drink, so the tissues, bone around your teeth, gum tissue, lips and tongue can adjust to the new position of your teeth. After six months of wearing your retainers full time if everything appears healthy, you will be instructed to wear your retainer only at night … “nighttime for a lifetime”. If you do not wear your retainers your teeth will shift and you will need a new retainer fabricated.
RULES TO FOLLOW:
- Keep your retainers clean by brushing them with a separate brush and a small amount of soft-soap. Rinse well.
- Do not place your retainers in boiling water or in the dishwasher. They will melt.
- Do not soak your retainers in Efferdent or Scope.
- Do not leave your retainers in a hot car.
- Do not wrap your retainers in a napkin while you eat or you can mistake them for trash and they could get thrown away.
- When not wearing them, always keep your retainers in the case provided.
- Keep your pets away from your retainers.
- Use proper technique when putting in and removing your retainers. If they are removed from the front of the mouth, flipped in or out with your tongue, or bit into place they could break, split, or distort.
- Accidents can happen and while we can always replace your retainers, there could be a fee. Retainers typically last 3-4 years.
- Always call the office if your retainer is broken or lost.
- Always bring your retainers with you to your retainer check appointments.