Remember, you are in charge of keeping your teeth straight. How do you do this? By wearing your retainers. Retainers are used for two reasons: first, to allow bone to rebuild after your teeth have moved, and second, to keep individual teeth from drifting.

Important Facts to Remember

• Keeping your teeth straight is your responsibility.
• Do not be alarmed if small changes occur. Small changes are normal.
• Wear your retainers long-term as prescribed by us.
• If you have any concerns or if you see some major misalignment of the teeth – give us a call. An orthodontic “tune up” may be necessary to regain proper alignment.
• Visit your family dentist on regular basis.

If you have one of the fixed “permanent” retainers (thin wires glued to the inside surfase of your teeth) make sure you have it for as many years as possible. We recommend, at least ten years.

Permanent retainers are the most effective way to keep your teeth from shifting. When visiting your dentist, make sure you ask him to check your retainer from breakage. If the retainers are loose or broken – please give us a call. If they break within a year of placement, there will be no charge to replace them. After one year small charges are applied.

Clear aligners are supposed to be worn night time only for a period of one year. After that every other night for additional 2 years.

Hawley retainers (plastic retainer with the wire) supposed to be worn 24/7 for the first year except for when brushing and eating. After that for 2 additional years at night time only.

Removable Upper Retainer

Upper Retainer

Your upper retainer is a removable appliance designed to maintain your teeth in their corrected positions. Please follow these Retainer Wear & Care instructions carefully.

Upper Retainer Wear

• The upper retainer should be worn at all times (during meals and sleeping too) unless your doctor gives you other instructions. Remove it only when brushing your teeth.
• The upper retainer’s plastic taste will disappear quickly, and your speech will return to normal after a few days of wearing the retainer.
• Soreness from upper retainer will leave in a few days, even after an adjustment. If you have a localized sore spot after three or four days of wearing an upper retainer, call us for an appointment.
• Don’t flip the upper retainer with your tongue. This could damage your teeth.

Upper Retainer Care

• Clean the upper retainer by brushing it with soap and water and occasional clean it with denture cleanser, using warm (not hot) water.
• When it’s not in your mouth, keep the retainer in a special box given to you (not wrapped in a paper or in your pocket).
• Keep the retainer away from kids and pets.
• Bring your retainer to each appointment.

Removable Lower Retainer

Lower Retainer

Your lower retainer is a fixed or removable appliance designed to maintain your teeth in their correct position. If your retainer is removable, follow the same instructions as outlined for the upper retainer. If fixed, a wire is attached to the inside of your lower front teeth. It requires special attention.

Lower Retainer Wear

• A fixed lower retainer will remain in your mouth permanently or until your doctor approves its removal.
  

  Fixed lower retainer

Lower Retainer Care

• When brushing with lower retainer be extra careful to clean the wire and the inside of your lower teeth.
• Floss daily and use floss threader between the lower retainer wire and the gums.