Retainers

An important message about your retainers

THE SHORT STORY:

Wear your retainers as directed or your teeth will shift.

Take care of your retainers.

Bring your retainers with you to your orthodontic appointments.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

The teeth move and shift because of various pressures applied to them. This ability of teeth to move can occur at anytime throughout life. Orthodontic procedures are designed to use controlled forces to move the teeth to their best positions. There are many pressures that continue to affect the teeth after braces are removed and will cause the teeth to shift or move after the braces are removed. For this reason, retainers must be worn long term to prevent undesired movements of the teeth.

The tendency for teeth to shift is greatest immediately after the braces are removed but shifting can continue throughout life. With good retainer wear, most of your correction can be retained. The teeth will not stay exactly where we have placed them. They will make adaptive changes to function in the most efficient manner. This readjustment is not a failure of correction but a natural change that we must accept.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

If your retainers are not fitting well or there is some reason that you are unable to wear them, please notify us immediately or your teeth may shift.

You'll want to return to your family primary care dentist for an examination and cleaning. Brush and floss thoroughly every day to protect that beautiful smile.

Please wear your retainers as instructed --- 9 hours every night (or day) for the first 12 months, then as instructed.

Keep your follow-up appointments. If you miss more than two appointments, we cannot control your retention, and we will have to charge for any necessary follow-up visits. Take care of your retainers. Clean them daily with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Do not soak any retainer that has soldered areas in Efferdent. The Efferdent will cause the solder joints to come apart. Don't wrap your retainers in a napkin, as they may be thrown away. Dogs and other pets love to chew on them. Don't expose your retainers to heat. They are made out of plastic and will distort (melt). When you are not wearing or cleaning your retainers, keep them in the protective retainer case.

If you lose or break a retainer, please call us immediately. Your teeth will move if your retainers are not worn as directed. There is a charge to replace lost or broken retainers, so please be careful.