Retainer Care

Congratulations on completing your active orthodontic treatment! We hope you are as pleased as we are and ready for retention. Your orthodontic treatment has improved your smile and function.The challenge relies on the patient to keep the teeth in their corrected positions. Teeth have a memory, therefore the teeth are very eager to move back towards their original positions. After wearing your retainers for a few hours, they should fit comfortably and securely. If they do not, let us know immediately.

Retainers are worn full time (except for eating and brushing/flossing) for approximately 4-6 months after the braces are removed. The hours of wear will gradually decrease until you will eventually wear your retainers one night a week indefinitely. Indefinate retainer wear will ensure that the teeth do not relapse.

The success of your treatment depends on retainer wear. If retainers are not worn as instructed, there will be unwanted shifting of the teeth.

At each appointment, Dr. Prosterman will let you know how many hours you should be wearing your retainers until the next visit. If the retainers are not worn as prescribed, and the teeth shift, it will be the patient’s financial responsibility to repair this situation. If the relapse is minor, new retainers may correct this. If the relapse is more severe, braces may be necessary to correct the problem.

Remember these rules:

• 1. Remove retainers and put them in their case during meals, while swimming, and while playing contact sports where they may be dislodged.
• 2. When your retainers are out of your mouth they must be kept in their case. Don’t leave them lying around or wrapped in a tissue. They could get lost or thrown away. Never place them in hot water or near a hot surface, because they could become distorted which will affect their fit. Pets love retainers. Do not leave them where pets may be able to chew on them.
• 3. A retainer is custom made and fitted for you. If lost or damaged, it will have to be replaced or repaired at additional expense. Please save all parts.
• 4. Clean your retainers after each meal by gently brushing them. This should be done at least twice a day. Do not use mouthwash because, in time, this will destroy the solder joints of the retainers, and eventually the retainers will break.
• 5. Bring your retainers to each appointment.
• 6. It is necessary to schedule an appointment with your regular dentist for a thorough cleaning and check-up. This is an important visit to check for cavities that may have been hiding under the braces. The hygienist will also have better access to clean your teeth once the braces have been removed.

Good luck with this most important part of your orthodontic care