Congratulations! Your braces are off and your new smile is complete. However, you’re still the most important member of the team in keeping your smile beautiful and straight.
The step after active orthodontic treatment is called the retention phase, and you’ll be instructed in the wear and care of retainers, which are removable appliances designed to keep your teeth in place until your bone, gums and muscles adapt to their new positions.
Sometimes, after active treatment, a patient’s teeth will want to return to their original positions. Unfortunately, we can’t tell which patients will be likely to relapse and which ones won’t; therefore, it’s very important that you wear your retainers as instructed! Your unique orthodontic needs will determine how long you need to wear your retainer. You may need to wear it for an extended period of time, you may need permanent retention or you may not need retention at all.
Always remember…
- Wear your retainer(s) in your mouth, not in your pocket.
- Clean all parts of your retainer with a brush after every meal.
- If you take your retainer out, always place it in its case for safety.
- Handle your retainer with care. They’re easy to lose or break.
- If you break your retainer or it cracks, remove the retainer from your mouth and bring all the pieces to our office for professional repair
Please don’t neglect the retention phase of your treatment! Please don’t underestimate the importance of following our instructions for retainer wear! Your beautiful new smile will stay in place if you follow our instructions.
