Retention is a very important but often overlooked portion of treatment. Without proper professional supervision and patient cooperation with retainers, the teeth will relapse. Retainers allow the newly positioned teeth to become firm and reduce rebound. Retainers are highly specialized, custom appliances that are essential to assure a quality final result.
Please understand teeth will move all throughout life for a number of reasons; tongue thrusts, lip contractions, clenching, grinding, finger nail biting, periodontal aging, and physiologic movement. Teeth are not set in cement, they constantly change. A retainer will aid in holding off movement due to the above factors. Once a retainer is discontinued these factors will exert their influence and teeth will begin drifting again.
- Retainers are to be worn full time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (including eating and sleeping), unless otherwise specified by the Doctor.
- When the retainer is to be worn nights only, (as determined by the Doctor), then it must be worn every night.
- If the retainer is left out of the mouth even for a short time, the teeth will shift and the retainer will lose its proper fit.
- If a retainer is lost, broken, or doesn’t fit, you must see the Doctor immediately for adjustment or impression for a new one.
- Retainers never break or become lost when they are being worn properly. This usually occurs when they are out of the mouth.
- Do not click your retainer with your tongue. Do not heat or boil your retainer and do not bend or pull on the wires. Rinse and lightly brush retainers using cool water only.
- The fee schedule for broken/lost retainers is as follows:
Standard (pink & metal) $240.00
Clear (molded type) $200.00
Spring aligner (active) $300.00
Custom (colored & metal) $290.00
Lost Invisalign retainers $150.00
- We cannot be responsible for tooth relapse that occurs because a patient does not follow the proper retention regimen.
Fixed (Bonded Retainer)
Your fixed (bonded) retainer is a very important part of your orthodontic treatment. Following treatment to align your teeth, the retainer is designed to hold them in position. Bonded retainers are used in cases with high relapse potential, crowding/spacing problems, or muscle/habit imbalances. These fixed retainers are meant to stay on your teeth until the time the wisdom teeth erupt. In some cases they are left on indefinitely. As long as they are properly maintained and flossed by the patient and professionally cleaned by a dentist or hygienist, they can remain in place insuring the stability of the case.
Please understand teeth will move all throughout life for a number of reasons; tongue thrusts, lip contractions, clenching, grinding, finger nail biting, periodontal aging, and physiologic forward movement. Teeth are not set in cement, they constantly change. A bonded retainer will aid in holding off movement due to the above factors. Once a fixed retainer is removed these factors will exert their influence and teeth will begin drifting again.
What to Expect
Initially your retainer will feel strange to the tongue. In a few days you will forget it is even there. You may see some mild settling of your teeth even with the retainer in place; this is normal.
Do’s
- Brush normally, brush the retainer.
- Floss your bonded retainer with a floss threader as demonstrated by us or your Hygienist.
- Call us immediately if something comes loose, feels rough or comes completely out. If it comes completely out, wear your old retainer until you can get in to see us. Your teeth will move if you don’t get in to see us rapidly.
Don’ts
- Do not pick or pull at your retainer.
- Do not use your teeth for anything other than food.
- Do not wait too long to get into the office if something breaks or feels loose.