Bookmark Page


Retainers

Retainers are appliances that hold your teeth in their new, corrected positions after your braces are removed.  Your teeth are guaranteed to shift over time if your retainers are not worn as prescribed.  As a result, wearing your retainer as directed by your orthodontist is crucial to prevent any relapse from occurring.

    Bonded Retainer

  • Retainers should be worn for your lifetime; if they are, you can keep your teeth straight and beautiful!
  • Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
  • Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
  • Take your retainers out when eating… and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or at restaurants when they are left on a tray, wrapped in a napkin, and thrown away.)
  • Remove retainers when swimming.
  • Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and pets (they love to chew on retainers!)
  • Clean retainers thoroughly at least once a day with a toothbrush and cold water. Brushing retainers removes plaque, and eliminates odors.
  • Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately to prevent shifting of your teeth.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, do not try to adjust them yourself. Just give us a call and we will gladly schedule an appointment for you.
  • Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
  • Retainer replacement is expensive… with proper care they will last for years!