Retention

The retention stage that will immediately follow removal of braces is the final and most important stage. When your braces are removed, your bone and gums will still be adjusting to the movement caused by your braces. Until the bone and gums stabilize, your teeth will want to naturally shift back to their original position. In order to prevent this, we will customize your retainer to your individual needs. A retainer is an orthodontic appliance that holds your teeth in their new positions until the bone and gums adjust. The length of time that the retainer must be worn will vary, as will the amount of hours worn daily.

During the retention stage, we will continue to see you for a period of time (usually 1-2 years) to make sure your teeth maintain their new positions. Following our instructions for retention assures your new smile will remain as wonderful as it was the moment your braces were removed. Long-term retention is recommended due to the possibility of relapse.

Common Questions:

What is the purpose of a retainer?

Retainers are designed to maintain your teeth in a corrected position following orthodontic treatment.

Without proper wear, teeth may have a tendency to move or shift.

How often should I wear my retainers?

Dr. Straffon will determine how much full–time wear will be needed, and will let you know when night-time wear is permitted.

Will my retainer affect my speech?

Your speech will be affected for the first few days as your tongue gets used to your retainers.
Reading out loud or continued speaking will help.
The more you wear your retainers the quicker you will get used to them.

How do I take care of my retainers?

Please use the retainer cases given to you. They protect your retainers from breaking when they are not in your mouth.
Clean your retainers with a toothbrush, toothpaste and cold water.
Be gentle especially around the wires, and do not squeeze the retainers, which may cause the retainers to crack.
Denture cleaning tablets can be used monthly, or as often as needed to remove plaque and buildup.

Retainer Rules:

Keep your retainers away from pets, as they love to chew them.
Keep retainers out of the sun, as they may distort.
Never flip or play with the retainer with your tongue or chew on them. This may cause the wires to bend and the plastic to break.
Do not wear retainers during contact sports or swimming. Always have a case with you for these activities.

There is a charge for replacement retainers, so always be careful with them. Please schedule as soon as possible if the retainers are lost or broken!