Retainers

Congratulations!

Thanks to your effort and cooperation you have straight teeth and a great smile. Your new retainers will allow the bone to mature and tighten around the teeth so they remain that way. These retainers must be used for at least two years, during which time you will return to our office so we can check their fit.

Removable retainers come in two forms. A Hawley retainer is an acrylic appliance with a single wire that sits in front of the teeth to keep the corrections in place. The other type is a clear plastic “invisible” retainer, which is called an Essix retainer, and fits like a shell over the teeth.

In almost every case we also recommend a fixed retainer, a thin flat wire that is attached to the back of the front teeth. It remains in place indefinitely and does not show when you smile. This type of retainer is recommended when there’s a high risk of teeth reverting to their former position, especially common for the lower front teeth, or when front spaces existed before treatment. A fixed retainer is the best option for long-term stability.

Caring For Your Retainers

Removable Retainers:

• When the retainer is NOT in your mouth, please keep it in your retainer case. Do NOT wrap it in napkins, tissues, or paper towels as retainers often get thrown out by accident when stored like this.
• Do NOT place the retainer in very hot water as this will change its shape.
• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
• The retainer should always be removed when brushing your teeth. Please clean the retainer with your toothbrush and water or toothpaste. The retainer may also be cleaned and freshened as needed with a denture cleaner such as Efferdent.
• You may file down any rough edges with an emery board or nail file.

Please call the office if your retainers get lost, damaged, or simply do not fit.

Bonded Retainers:

These are bonded onto the back of your teeth and will stay on indefinitely. If any part of this retainer becomes loose or you feel a sharp edge, please call immediately for repair.

We will show you how to use SOFT PICKS or SUPERFLOSS to clean around the bonded retainer.

For those who have completed treatment with us, it has been our pleasure serving you. We hope that you are happy with your new smile and the treatment you have received here. Know that we always welcome new patients to our office. Truly the best compliment you can give us is to recommend our care to your friends and family.