Your retainer is your ticket to keep your smile beautiful for years to come!
If you don’t want braces a second time in your life- read on…
What is a retainer?
A retainer is usually made out of either clear plastic, or a combination of plastic and wire, and is custom made to fit your mouth. This is called a removable retainer.
They are made to fit only your teeth and will hold your teeth in the right position.
It is made at the end of your orthodontic treatment and you usually wear a removable retainer at night for the rest of your life!
Sometimes a wire is fixed to the inside of your teeth. This is called a fixed retainer.
What does a retainer do?
It holds your teeth in the right positions in your jaws.
As you get older, your jaws continue to grow and change. If you are not wearing your retainer as instructed, your teeth will shift and you can end up with crowded teeth again!
Do I have to wear a retainer as an adult?
Even as an adult, your teeth continue to shift slightly due to age. Wearing your retainer will help keep these changes from altering your new alignment.
Don’t want braces again? Wear your retainer as instructed.
How long do I have to wear my retainer?
Dr. Vasudevan will give you instructions at the end of treatment about how to wear your retainers. Usually, removable retainers are worn at night and after a short time wearing a retainer will become a part of your routine like brushing your teeth!
Is it really that important?
Yes! We cannot stress how important it is to wear a retainer! Teeth shift constantly throughout life, whether or not you’re growing. The only way to guarantee that you won’t need braces again, and keep your smile looking stunning for years to come is to consistently wear your retainer! You don’t want to have to get braces again right?
How to look after fixed retainers?
Please keep the area around your fixed retainers clean. Use an inter-dental brush and also brush gently! Please see your dentist or hygienist regularly for a professional clean.
How to look after removable retainers?
When your retainers are not being worn, please keep them in their protective box. To keep your retainers clean, soak them in a retainer cleaning solution once a week for 20 minutes. You can also clean them with a toothbrush and water. Don’t use toothpaste to clean your retainers and don’t put them in hot water, as this may cause them to lose their shape.
Keep retainers away from pets! Puppies like to chew retainers!
What do I do if my retainer breaks?
It is important you come back to see us if you lost your retainer or broke it.
As long as a retainer is not being worn, teeth are shifting in your jaws and can become crowded again! Call us if you need a new retainer!
Have a beautiful smile for life! Take care of your retainers!
