We know how important it is to ensure your investment in your smile. That is why when your braces come off we give all patients permanent bonded retainers that go behind your teeth as well as clear, removable retainers that go over the top of the permanent retainers.


        
Clear Removable Retainers                                             Fixed Permanent Retainers

Follow these simple instructions to care for your retainer:

1. Always store your retainer in the case. Never put it in your pocket, or wrap in a cloth or napkin.... This usually leads to a broken retainer or one that accidentally gets thrown away.

2. Remove your retainer out when eating.

3. Make sure to follow the doctor's instructions for wearing your retainer both day and night.

4. Remove retainers when brushing  your teeth, and pay extra attention to the inside surfaces of your teeth that the retainer was touching.

5. Clean retainers thoroughly with toothbrush and toothpaste. Concentrate specifically on the side of the retainer that is in contact with your gums. Failure to clean retainers well can result in damage to your gums and teeth. Some patients like to soak their retainers in mouthwash for a few minutes each day.

6. When you first get the retainer, it may feel like you are biting on a wire in the back. After a couple of days this feeling should go away. Initially, it may feel like there is a space between an upper retainer and the roof of your mouth. As the retainer settles over a few days this feeling will diminish.

7. Don't flip the retainer with your tongue. This could damage the retainer and/or your teeth.

8. Put the retainer in with your fingers; don't bite the retainer into place - this will eventually damage or break it.

9. Use your best judgment regarding removing them for sports, swimming, singing, meetings, etc. If there is a significant risk that they will be lost or damaged if you continue to wear them while doing an activity, remove them and place in the provided case. Remember to put replace them when you are done with the activity.

10. In some cases, the retainer is used to move your teeth, wearing them any less than full time severely reduces their effectiveness, and the teeth will either move very slowly or not at all.

11. If there are wires on the outsides of your teeth, they should not be used to remove the retainers. This will bend and eventually break them. Use clasps on the back teeth to remove the retainers.

12. Your retainer is made out of acrylic, which is sensitive to heat. Do not subject the retainers to heat; they will distort and become unusable. This includes boiling them, putting them in the dishwasher, leaving them in a hot car, etc.

13. Keep the retainers away from dogs - they will chew on the retainers and break them.

14. Bring your retainers to each appointment for inspection.

15. Occasionally, a piece of acrylic will chip or break. As long as the retainer is still wearable, you can continue to wear it until we can check it for you. If there is a sharp edge, you can use a nail file to smooth it off until an necessary repair can be performed.

16. If there is any part of the retainer that is pinching your gums, set up an appointment with me so that we can fix this for you.

17. It is OK to take the retainers out if you need to take them out when you are sick, just so long as it is not for an extended period of time.