Retention is a Lifetime Commitment.
Your original smile is what nature intended.
After treatment, you can maintain your new smile by wearing your retainers
or let nature exert its forces and gradually move the teeth,
sometimes completely back to where they started.
You sacrificed too much to let nature ruin your smile.
Don't let this happen.
Selecting a Retainer
Hawley retainer is usually a good choice, but there are others. If you would like to try a different kind of retainer or get a spare retainer, please tell us. The first set is usually included with the treatment.
Hawley Retainer is durable and adjustable. It can be worn at all times, though it's a little hard to get used to. It allows some shifting of the teeth, which is desirable for the bite to settle, but not welcome in the front, where appearance is critical. If this happens, tell us. They come in various colors, though pink to match your gum is the most discreet.
Night Guard is technically not a retainer, but a device to treat grinding. Nonetheless, it locks the teeth into place and can be used as a retainer. Pretty durable, it's usually worn only at night and either in the upper or lower arch only. A good retainer for people who grind their teeth and in cases where we do not want to risk any movement of the teeth.
Fixed Retainer consists of a strip of wire bonded to the back of your lower anterior teeth. Looks easy, but in reality it traps food and makes cleaning your teeth difficult. You also have to be careful not to put too much pressure on the teeth, or the retainer may distort or break. Due to breakage, fixed retainer is almost never used in the upper arch.
Clear Retainer, commonly mistaken for Invisalign, can hold the teeth exactly where we left them. A natural choice following treatment with invisible braces, it's comfortable to wear and inconspicuous. Unfortunately, it does not last. If you select this retainer, plan on replacing it every other year or more frequently if you grind your teeth. It's less expensive than others.
Wearing Your Retainers
Initially, you will be asked to wear your retainers all the time, or as much as possible. This will allow the bone surrounding your teeth to heal. It takes three to six months. If you don't let this happen, your teeth will never firm up and will tend to move easily.
Remove the retainers to drink (especially hot beverages), eat (especially clear retainers), engage in sports, and brush your teeth.
Drinks and food trapped by your retainers can be very damaging to your teeth. If you consume anything with the retainers on, clean your teeth and your retainers as soon as practical.
Once the healing is complete, you can start wearing them just at night, while you're asleep. Some have to continue wearing them every night, while others can do with less. If it doesn't bother you, continue wearing them every night. Otherwise, you can try to reduce it gradually, to every other night, then two nights a week, but never less than one night a week. Needless to say: Never stop wearing your retainers.
Keep an eye on looks, feel, and fit:
- How your smile looks. It should look like when we finished.
- How the retainers feel. It's okay if they are a little snug. If they are tight or uncomfortable, you are not wearing them enough, and the teeth are shifting. Go back to wearing them all the time until they are comfortable again.
- How the retainers fit. They were custom made for your teeth. There should be no space between your retainers and your teeth. Note that it's normal to have a little space between the roof of your mouth and the upper retainer.
Oops! happens. Don't be ashamed. First, try to force the retainers back in. If necessary, exercise into the retainers by biting on a small piece of rolled paper towel, using an up and down motion. Expect your teeth to get tender. As long as you haven't neglected your retainers too long, this usually works. Otherwise, call us.
Caring for Your Retainers
Retainers are made of plastic. Treat them accordingly. Keep them in your mouth or in the retainer case and store the case where others, including your pets, cannot reach. Do not expose the retainers to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures in attempts to clean them, and they will last. I've seen 30-year-old Hawley retainers in very good condition.
Retainers are not fragile, but they will not withstand rough handling or carelessness. They were not meant to be crammed in your pocket or to be sat on, stepped on, or driven over. They are not toys. Do not click them in and out with your tongue for fun. Do not place them on you laps, your car's dashboard, or on the table wrapped in a napkin. What may seem like an okay idea at the moment will be careless, in hindsight.
Keeping the retainers clean is a matter of not letting your saliva dry and harden on your retainers. Immediately upon removal, rinse the retainers with water or place them in some water, and store them safely. Do not use hot water. At least once a day, after you brush your teeth, brush the retainers with water. Don't use anything too abrasive, including some whitening toothpastes, or get too aggressive. This should be sufficient to keep your retainers clean. Occasionally you may want to use a commercially available retainer cleaner, preferably using an ultrasonic cleaning unit if recommended. Whether commercial or otherwise, retainer cleaner should be used in moderation, to clean retainers when they need to be cleaned, and not for storage (use water). Some people react to cleaning agents. Rinse the retainers thoroughly after cleaning. If you develop any irritation, switch to a different kind of cleaner.
If you need help cleaning your retainers, bring them in. We will be happy to clean them for you.
Take your retainers with you to all your dental appointments, and check to make sure the retainers fit after any dental work.
Contact us if you:
- Just want to make sure everything is okay.
- Broke or lost your retainer.
- Are planning to undergo any major dental work like veneer, implant, crown, bridge, or extraction.
Don't forget to bring your retainers or any remnants, as the case may be, to your retainer check-up.
