Retainers
We Give a Hoot About Your Smile
Retention
Removing braces signals the start of 12 months of supervised retention. Please remember that this part of your orthodontic treatment is just as important as the active movement in determining the ultimate success of your treatment. Once the teeth have been moved into their desired positions, a period of time is needed to stabilize them so that the surrounding bone and soft tissue can conform to your new dental alignment.
This 12 month phase, along with your initial retainers, is included in your original contract. Following the 12 month period, you will officially graduate from retainer supervision. Should you ever have any questions or need your retainers adjusted or replaced, do not hesitate to contact our office. Visits after this 12 month window or due to lost or damaged retainers will incur an office visit fee. You are urged to continue to wear your retainers on a nightly basis forever in order to maintain your new smile.
Remember to bring your retainer to every appointment!
Retainers should be worn every night forever.
Your teeth will move if you don’t wear your retainers.
Fixing significant tooth movement may require the time, effort, and expense of additional treatment.
Types of Retainers
Your teeth have a memory and without retainers they will move back to where they were before treatment. Your retainers are usually ready the day after braces come off, and it is important that you pick them up on time.
There are many different types of retainers, and Drs. Hughes & Cozad will recommend the type that is best for you. They will also direct you on how much to wear your retainer. Typically you will be asked to wear your retainer at night. Drs. Hughes & Cozad will see you for periodic retainer checks and guide you on the frequency of retainer wear that is prescribed.
In most cases, we glue a lower retainer to the back-side of the lower front six teeth. It will not cause cavities as long as you continue to brush and floss regularly.
Please be careful when biting into carrots and apples. You may use Super Floss or Floss Threaders to get the floss between the teeth and retainer.
If this retainer comes loose, please let us know as soon as possible. Do not throw it away! Bring it to your appointment to have it re-attached. Otherwise there will be a lab fee to remake it.
Caring for your Retainer
- If your retainer starts to fit loosely due to a change in eruptions or new dental work, please call us. You may need to have an adjustment made outside of your regular retainer checks.
- Retainers can be ruined by heat. A retainer should never be placed in boiling water, run through a dishwasher, or left in a hot car.
- Brush your retainers daily and wipe dry with a towel before storing them.
- Plastic retainers can be damaged by soaking them in mouthwash.
- Like contact lenses, eye glasses and other personal items, retainers can wear out over time. Replacing a worn out retainer is a wise investment in protecting your smile and the long-term stability of your teeth. Contact our office when the time comes!
- Wear the retainer according to Drs. Hughes and Cozad’s instructions.
- Do not wear your retainer when eating or brushing.
- If the retainer is not in your mouth, place it in the retainer case we gave you, labeled with your name and phone number. Do not put the retainer in your shirt or pants pocket. It may end up in the washing machine or could be broken if sat on.
- If your retainer breaks or stops fitting properly, do not throw it away or try to repair it yourself. Call our office for an appointment to have it checked.
- Vacations and summer camps will change your routine. These are high-risk periods for losing or not wearing retainers.
- There is a charge to replace retainers, so be careful!
- Retainers are likely to be thrown away in the trash if they are wrapped in a tissue or napkin or placed on a food tray.
- Keep retainers out of the reach of pets and young children. Dogs and cats like to chew on retainers.
Flossing with a retainer
Take out any removable retainers
Using a Floss Threader, thread floss through at the gums below the retainer and pull halfway through
Gently work the floss up and down the sides of your teeth and under the gum line
Repeat between each tooth and rinse thoroughly
Floss as normal on the portions of your teeth not blocked by a bonded retainer
Flossing with a retainer
Remove your retainer
Floss as normal
