Wearing / Caring for Your Braces

Retainer Wear

Today, you have completed the active phase of your orthodontic treatment and you begin the phase of treatment called retention. To retain means to hold. The retention phase of orthodontic treatment iso ne of the most important parts of your treatment. Once your teeth have been placed where we want them, your retainer will hold them in their new position, allowing the tissues and bony support to return to a normal and stable condition. If your teeth were not retained following orthodontic movement, they would tend to move back to their normal positions. Much time and effort has gone into the correction of your malocclusion, in order to give you a healthy and attractive smile. It is now your responsibility to maintain this result. Only with proper patient  cooperation can a treated malocclusion remain corrected.

1. Appliances of this nature are delicate and must be handled with extreme care.
2. It takes a little while to adjust to the appliance. At first it may be a little annoying. Do not become concerned. Everyone experiences the same thing. Just do your best.
3. All appliances should be worn 24 hours a day, unless specifically instructed to do otherwise. This means that the appliance should be worn while sleeping.
4. Get a book and read aloud for one half hour as soon as possible after receiving the appliance. If this is done conscientiously, there will be no difficulty as far as talking is concerned.
5. The appliance should be brushed with a tooth brush after eating with cold water and mild dish detergent. While washing the appliance, do not hold the wires on the appliance. Hold the plastic only.
6. Before returning the appliance to the mouth, place tooth paste on the thumb or forefinger and massage all of that part of the mouth upon which the appliance rests. Rinse the mouth and replace the wet appliance. Never place a dry appliance in the mouth.
7. If the appliance is worn as instructed, it will not break nor will you lose it. If it breaks beyond repair or is lost, you will be made a new one at an additional charge.
8. Retainers: The upper retainer is removable. The only reason it is removable is so you can thoroughly clean your teeth and retainer after meals. The only time your retainer should be removed is after meals, for cleaning and during active sports to prevent accidental loss. Wear your retainer at all times except during meal times unless you specifically have been instructed otherwise. When your retainer is not in place it should be kept in your retainer case. You will probably be asked to wear your retainer at all times for approximately 3-6 months and then only nights forever.

If your lower retainer is removable, then the same guidelines apply as the upper retainers. If your lower retainer is not removable, it is important that your lower teeth be kept very clean. You must avoid chewing sticky foods so that there is no breakdown of the cement under your bands.

9. Maintain regular visits with your family dentist. It is essential that your teeth be kept in perfect condition. Proper oral hygiene should be continued to prevent decay and gum disease. Remember, if a tooth is lost after orthodontic treatment has been completed, the possibility of relapse is increased.

10. Keep your appointments with our office. It is essential that we continue observation visits to insure stability of the treated dentition. These visits will be short in duration, but very important.

The fee for retention phase of treatment is included within the entire orthodontic fee. If this fee has been paid, there will be no additional fee. If you owe a portion of the orthodontic fee, the balance is payable upon receipt of the retainer.

There is a fee for replacing a broken or lost retainer, so please take proper care of your retainer.