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Retention
Long-Term Retention
Congratulations! You Did It! We Are Proud Of You!
Now we have to work together to stabilize the results of treatment. The tongue, lips and supporting structures must adapt to the new position of your teeth. You will need to wear retainers to protect your investment. Retainers prevent the teeth from moving back to their original position.
About 90% of your correction can be retained. The teeth will not stay exactly where we have placed them. They will make adaptive changes to function in the most efficient manner. This readjustment is not a failure of correction, but a natural change that we have learned to accept.
We will supervise the first two years of your retention. This is included in your original fee. Working together, we can get the maximum lifetime benefits from your investment of time, money and effort.
Here's What We'll Do:
- Provide an upper and a lower retainer.
- Carefully supervise the wear and care of your retainers and help you with any problems.
- Replace worn out retainers at no charge, if you bring us the old retainer and the model given to you.
- Schedule necessary appointments.
- Monitor the development of wisdom teeth, and keep you and your dentist advised.
Here's What You Need To Do:
- Return to your family dentist for an examination and cleaning. Brush and floss thoroughly every day to protect that beautiful smile.
- Wear retainers as instructed. 12 hours a day for the first month, then as instructed.
- Keep your appointments. If you miss more than one appointment, we can't control your retention, and we may have to charge for any subsequent visits.
- Take care of your retainers. Clean them daily. Don't wrap them in a napkin, as they may be thrown away. Keep them away from dogs and other pets who love to chew on them. If you're not wearing or cleaning them, keep them in the protective retainer case.
- Take care of your retainer models. The models used to make your retainers will be given to you. Please keep them safe and bring them to us if a new retainer is needed.
- If you lose or break a retainer, please call us immediately. The teeth will move if retainers are not worn. There is a charge to replace lost or broken retainers, so please be careful.
- The teeth will move if you don't wear your retainers. If you choose to discontinue use, you must assume responsibility for any tooth movement. If the teeth shift, the only way to recover could be through retreatment and additional expense.
You've worked hard getting where you are now. It hasn't all been fun…but you did it anyway! So don't blow it now…please stay with it and wear your retainers so you can keep that beautiful smile and healthy mouth for the rest of your life!
Retention
Removing braces signals the start of the retention and observation period of your orthodontic care. Please remember that this part of your orthodontic treatment is just as important as the active movement phase in determining the ultimate success of your treatment. Once the teeth have been moved into their desired positions, a period of time is needed to stabilize the teeth so that the surrounding bone and soft tissues can conform to your new dental alignment. When braces are removed, it is a good time to review several important aspects of care.
How long are retainers worn?
The final observation and retention period of treatment normally spans approximately two years. During this period, appointments are scheduled at 6 to 12 month intervals. Usually the retainers are removable, clear or colored acrylic appliances worn at night while sleeping. Indefinite retainer wear on a part-time basis will be recommended to maintain the desired changes that have been achieved.
Will my teeth move back after treatment?
Orthodontists are aware that as retainers are worn less, there may be minor changes in tooth position. The position and fit of teeth generally changes throughout your life, with or without orthodontic treatment. Our goal in the retention phase of your treatment is to limit these changes to the natural process of accommodation while maintaining both a good functional and aesthetic result.
Taking care of retainers:
Keeping the retainer either in the mouth or its case will avoid loss or breakage, which would lead to extra expense. Brushing the retainer with cool water and toothpaste and soaking it in a dental cleanser or mouthwash periodically will keep it fresh. Never place your retainer in hot water, as it may become distorted and require replacement. If a brush is not available after eating, rinse off your retainer and place it back in your mouth or in its case. Beware of putting your retainer in a pocket, where it might become broken. Also, avoid leaving it out where pets would find it or where it may become lost.
What if a retainer is lost or broken?
Phone the office right away for an appointment to replace or repair your retainer. Although there may be a charge for the replacement or repair, it's a relatively inexpensive way to protect the investment you have made in your orthodontic care. Also, please save the plaster models of your teeth that we give you with your retainers. They are needed for any repair or replacement.
Long-Term Retention
You have completed the period of supervised retention. Retainer wear must continue, but you won't have to keep regularly scheduled appointments in the future.
Here is what you need to know about keeping your teeth aligned:
Only you can keep your teeth straight from this point on.
There is no specific end-point to your retention period. A realistic approach is to view retainer wear as necessary for the indefinite future.
Wear the retainers enough to keep them fitting well.
The teeth will move if you don't wear your retainers. If you choose to discontinue use, you must assume responsibility for any tooth movement. If the teeth shift, the only way to recover could be through retreatment and additional expense.
The period of supervised retention has ended. Our usual office fee will be charged for further treatment and adjustments.
Retainers are like eyeglasses, contact lenses or any other personal item that is worn daily - they will wear out. There will be no charge if you bring us an old retainer and the model you were given.
If you have wisdom teeth, please have your dentist monitor these and treat as necessary.
We have enjoyed having you as a member of our practice family. If we can help you in any way in the future, just call. We are here to help.
There is no specific end-point to your retention period. A realistic approach is to view it as: "Taking responsibility for whatever happens to you is right, simply because it makes your life work better - the only reason for doing anything."
- H. Samm Coombs
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