Retention

When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. For the first 6 months we ask you to wear your retainers day and night. We then transition you to wearing retainers just at night. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you've put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.

Types of Retainers

The type of retainer will be chosen based upon your original dental problem. Everyone gets a clear "invisible" retainer to wear during the daytime. In addition, some people will need a bonded "permanent retainer" on the back of their teeth or a traditional "wire across the front" retainer to wear at night.

Wear and Care

You must be very careful when handling your upper retainers, as they are fragile and costly to replace. You are given a special case for your retainer; please make sure you keep them in this case when not wearing it! To clean these retainers brush them with toothpaste (sometimes with denture cleaner) using warm water.

Initially, your retainers should be worn at all times with the exception of eating and brushing your teeth. Your retainer should also be removed when participating in sports that require a mouth guard or while swimming. After 6 months of full-time wear, we may revise your retention treatment, allowing the retainer to strictly be worn at night.

Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you've put in so far.

Removable Retainers

Maxillary wrap-around retainers are your upper retainers, which are removable. You must be very careful when handling your upper retainers, as they are fragile and costly to replace. You are given a special case for your retainer; please make sure you keep them in this case when not wearing it! To clean these retainers, brush them with toothpaste (sometimes with denture cleaner) using warm water.

Your retainers should be worn at all times with the exception of eating and brushing your teeth. Your retainer should also be removed when participating in sports that require a mouthguard or while swimming. After 12 months of full-time wear, we may revise your retention treatment, allowing the retainer to strictly be worn at night.

Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you've put in so far.