Caring For Your Retainers

Retention is the most important part of treatment. The retainers are made to hold the teeth in position after the braces are removed. Throughout or lives our teeth continue to shift and settle. By wearing the retainers as directed, the teeth will settle into a proper position, and will be prevented from shifting or rotating.

The retainers should be worn full time for one year and then at bedtime for one more year. After this they should be tried on daily and worn as needed. At that point you will become your own orthodontist; you will know when you need to wear them.

Having to replace lost or broken retainers is expensive, so be sure to keep the retainers in their case when they are not being worn, this will prevent them from being lost or distorted. Never wrap in a napkin or keep them in your pocket, the case is the only place they should be if they are not being worn. Also keep them away from animals, as they are attracted to the smell and will chew them.