Care Following Orthodontics Retainers
Care Following Orthodontics Retainers
After braces or other orthodontic treatment, we begin the retention phase. This phase is just as important as the active treatment phase for your teeth because it’s what keeps your smile looking great for the rest of your life.
Once we complete your treatment, we’ll create a retainer to keep your teeth and bone from shifting out of place. We make this removable dental appliance to fit your teeth perfectly. Retainers are transparent plastic with small wires. You’ll find wearing these appliances to be very comfortable. It won’t be like having braces or Invisalign®, which are constantly shifting your teeth into place and causing mild discomfort.
Dr. Guller and his team will provide instructions for how long you should wear your retainers each day. These timeframes will vary based on your age and the type of orthodontic treatment you’ve completed. You should wear your retainer as instructed to keep your smile looking great after treatment.
Retainer Types Available
Try not to compare your retainer to your friend’s retainer or what you’ve seen on TV. There are several different types of retainers, each designed to meet the needs of different patients and their teeth and jaws.
We’ll explain some of the most common types of retainers so that you know what to expect once you complete your orthodontic treatment.
-
Hawley retainer: this retainer has a metal wire and an acrylic arch. The wire is adjustable, allowing your dentist to make changes for your comfort and to keep your teeth in place. The acrylic arch fits comfortably in your mouth’s palate or lingual walls.
-
Fixed retainer: this retainer is affixed to the inside of your teeth. It is a single wire that is cemented to your teeth to prevent rapid movement. The benefit of this retainer is that it is always in place so you can't forget to wear it.
-
Essix: this is the most common type of retainer. At the end of your treatment, we take impressions of your teeth and design clear PVC trays. These trays fit over all your teeth. You’ll have two retainers – one for your top teeth and one for your bottom. This is a very affordable option for a retainer and will not be visible to others while you’re wearing it.
Important Retainer Considerations
Retainers do require some maintenance and attention. It will likely take a bit of getting used to for you to adjust to wearing a retainer. Here are some important considerations.
-
Keep close tabs on your retainer: don’t lose your retainer. Keep it in a brightly colored case when you’re not wearing it and never fold it up in a napkin. This is a common way that people accidentally throw away their retainer. Replacing a lost retainer can be expensive.
-
Never eat or drink anything aside from water while wearing your retainer: because retains fit snugly on your teeth, you might be tempted to eat or drink while wearing your retainer. However, you should not eat or drink anything other than water while wearing your retainer. This can lead to tooth decay as the liquid or food debris get trapped inside your retainer exposing your teeth to the substance.
-
Clean your retainer regularly: without proper cleaning, your retainers can breed bacteria. You should clean the inside and outside of your retainers thoroughly between use. Always use a soft bristle brush on your retainers as you don’t want to harm the retainer. Follow your dentist’s recommendations for cleaning and care of your retainers.
-
Follow your dentist’s recommendations for wear: it might seem like your orthodontic treatment is over but don’t forget that the retention phase is important. Wear your retainers as your dentist recommends to prevent your teeth from shifting.
Have questions about orthodontic treatment? Call our office or contact us using the form below. We’re happy to answer your questions and provide further information on orthodontic treatment and proper retainer use and care.
"I have been a patient of Pascack Dental Arts for ten years. Having not just routine care but caps and four implants for which I am today happy, being able to eliminate the need of a denture. My experience with Pascack Dental Arts has been excellent!"
Robert Von Bargen
"Anyone who hates the Dentist should come here! Everyone is professional and excellent... Love, love, love them. NO PAIN!! I am a very difficult patient!!"
Heather Cozine
"I was indeed satisfied and delighted with my experience... I learned things I never knew in 50 years of having teeth! Thank you!"
Nancy Mapes
"A little over three years ago, my older daughter Carolyn, had a bicycle accident. One of her permanent front teeth was actually knocked out. We called the office and they told us to come in immediately. It was about 6 p.m. Everyone was concerned and helpful. Dr.Guller reinserted her tooth. Needless to say, we were very frequent visitors to this office. Everyone knew us and always asked how Carolyn was doing. With everyone’s long-term help, Carolyn’s teeth look great!
Our entire family comes to Pascack Dental Arts. It’s a great place for complete dental care."
Barbara Maskin
“Great visit! My hygienist was fantastic, very thorough and friendly. I look forward to my next visit.”
Tina Guarriello
