Retainer Wear and Care

Keep in mind that it is your duty to preserve the new teeth position that your orthodontic treatment has created. To do this, you must wear the recommended retainers.  We provide them for two reasons:

• To permit the bone to develop around your shifted teeth.
• To keep your teeth from shifting out of place.

Keep the following in mind:

• It is up to you to keep your teeth aligned.
• Do not worry about small changes, THEY ARE PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE.
• You will be using your retainers for a long time.
• Contact us for an appointment if you notice any major changes in your teeth’s location. 
• Remember to visit your dentist frequently.

DON’T FORGET THAT TEETH OFTEN MOVE AS WE GROW AND AGE:  THAT’S WHY YOU MUST WEAR YOU RETAINER IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR NEW, VIBRANT SMILE.

SEE-THRU RETAINERS  

Clear retainers are to be worn at night for the first year and every other night for the following two years. The Clear retainer is a crystal clear, removable retainer that fits over all your teeth.   It is similar to Invisalign® trays, accept that Clear retainers do not have wires. They must be worn during sleep for the entire first year, then every other night for at least the following two years. If you mislay, break or wear out your retainer, contact our office straightaway for obtain a replacement. Remember to act fast, since the teeth can shift at any age.

Clear Retainer Care:

Wash your retainer under the cold water every day, using a small brush to clean both the inside and the outside.

Hawley Retainer     

Be sure to follow our instructions concerning retainers faithfully. Remember that this is a detachable device designed to maintain your teeth’s new, corrected locations.

Retainer Wear

• Wear this retainer at all times, except when you are eating or brushing your teeth. When you are not wearing it, ALWAYS KEEP IT IN THE CONTAINER WE PROVIDE IN ORDER TO AVOID MISLAYING IT.  Remember that you are only allowed to take it off when you are cleaning your teeth or eating.
• The plastic flavor will only last a few days.  You will also soon get used to speaking with your retainer in and your speech will go back to normal. 
• Finally, while your mouth may be a little tender at first, you will feel normal again after a few days.  

Caring for Your Retainer

• Keep your retainer spotless with a soft brush, soap and water. You can also use dental cleanser once a week, if you like.
• Remember that this is your retainer, not a plaything.  If it is not in your mouth, it should either be in your hands being washed or safely put away in its box.    Whatever you do, never place it with tissue or cloth or, worst of all, keep it in your pocket.
• Hopefully we don’t need to remind you to keep your retainer away from animals and kids. If FIDO does bite it, both he and the retainer could be injured.
• Always bring your retainer with you every time you come to the office for a checkup.

Fixed retainer:    

If you have a permanent retainer glued to the inside of your teeth, try to retain it as long as possible, preferably at least a decade. If it breaks during the first year after you get it, we will be happy to provide a complimentary replacement.  After first year of placement, we will charge you a small fee to replace it. However, remember to maintain it as long as possible so that your teeth won’t shift back out of position.

Every time you visit the dentist, always ask him to check your fixed retainer to make sure that it is still in first-rate condition. Let us know if you ever notice that any retainer is getting wobbly.  Again, we will not charge you to repair a retainer that breaks within the first year, guaranteed.   Even after the first year, the small fee we charge is worth it to preserve the work you’ve had done. 

Fixed Retainer Care:

• Always clean the wire and the backs of the teeth
• Floss every day, using a floss threader or water pick between the wire and gums

Don’t forget that you bear the obligation for wearing your retainer, so please, don’t forget it.  Your goal of maintaining your beautiful new smile is worth it.