Retainers
Orthodontic treatment yields lifelong benefits when coupled with responsible oral health practices.
Habits or Conditions that Require Stronger Retention
- Mouth breathing
- Clenching and/or grinding of teeth (muscle hyperactivity)
- Tongue thrusting, low tongue posture, or abnormal tongue posture
- Playing musical instruments with a reed
- Lip sucking
- Pen or pencil biting
- Spacing between the teeth prior to treatment
- Severely rotated teeth
Maintaining a beautiful and healthy smile for a lifetime is our goal. Your cooperation is crucial in achieving this objective. If you have any of these habits, it’s especially important to be vigilant about wearing your retainer.
Here’s a helpful video to guide you on caring for your retainer:
Dental Examinations and Cleanings
Continue proper oral hygiene practices at home or modify them to include thorough brushing and flossing techniques. Regular dental visits every six months are recommended, or more frequently if advised by your dentist.
Removable Retainers
After active orthodontic appliances are removed, retainers are provided to stabilize dental corrections. Here are key points to know about removable retainers:
- Purpose: Retainers help stabilize dental corrections after braces are removed.
- Importance of Compliance: It’s crucial to wear retainers as instructed because the bone and soft tissues around the teeth stabilize for several months post-braces.
- Preventative Measure: Wearing retainers as prescribed helps prevent undesirable tooth movements, which could otherwise necessitate re-treatment.
Hawley Retainer
This traditional retainer is made of acrylic and stainless steel wires.
Clear Retainer
Made from clear plastic, resembling clear aligners like Invisalign®.
Wearing Removable Retainers
Teeth can shift throughout life, so we recommend indefinite retainer wear after orthodontic therapy. Patients should wear retainers full-time as prescribed by our orthodontists. Once stabilized, wear retainers nightly to maintain your beautiful smile indefinitely.
Caring for your Retainer
Retainers are made of a thermoplastic material sensitive to heat and should be kept away from temperatures exceeding 115 degrees (F°), such as heaters, dishwashers, or car dashboards. Here are some tips for caring for your retainer:
- Storage: Store retainers in their case when not in use and away from family pets.
- Cleaning: Clean retainers before and after use to remove plaque buildup. Use a gentle scrub with a toothbrush and mild liquid soap.
- Plaque Removal: Soaking in a 50% vinegar-water solution can help loosen tightly bound plaque residue.
- Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly after cleaning to remove any residue.
Retainers are worn for years and may require periodic replacement. Your original treatment contract includes one or two sets of retainers post-braces. Lost or damaged retainers due to neglect may incur replacement charges. Contact our office immediately if retainers become loose or break.
Fixed or Permanent Retainers (Bonded Wire)
This wire should remain indefinitely unless advised otherwise by your family dentist due to cleanliness issues causing gum or bone problems. In such cases, replace it with a removable retainer as prescribed by our orthodontists. Fixed wires protect teeth as patients age or experience bite changes, and should be monitored during six-month dental checkups.
