Retention

When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far.

Care and Use of Your Retainer:

The retainers you are wearing are delicate and must be handled with care. We are confident that you will take good care of them!

Your retainers must be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking anything other than water. Leave your retainers out when participating in sports which require a mouth guard, or when swimming in any water from which you may not be able to retrieve them if lost. When your retainers are not in your mouth, store them in the case provided! Your retainers should never be out of your mouth for more than one or two hours per day for sports activities. 

To keep your retainer clean it can be rinsed with water and brushed with your toothbrush and toothpaste. Be sure to brush your teeth after meals, and before wearing your retainers.  Retainers can be soaked in retainer cleaner every 2 – 3 weeks.

Remember, your retainers are an important phase of your orthodontic care. We are counting on you to wear them as instructed. Do not decrease your retainer wear unless advised to do so by our office. We will check your retainers regularly, so be sure to bring them with you to each visit. Contact us right away if you loose or break a retainer, or with any questions you may have.

There are only a few rules to remember, but the reward is a beautiful smile to last a lifetime.