Once the appliances are removed , the most important part of treatment begins. The retention phase assures that all of the efforts we have gone through together are not lost. You will receive guidlines regarding retention at your delivery appointment. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.
Removable Retainers
Clear Essix retainers are your upper retainers, which are removable. You must be very careful when handling your upper retainers, as they are fragile and costly to replace. You are given a special case for your retainer; please make sure you keep them in this case when not wearing it! To clean these retainers, brush them with mouthwash (sometimes with denture cleaner) using cold water.
Your retainers should be worn 10 hours every night. Call the office immediately if you lose or break your retainer. Your teeth will move if you do not call for an appointment. You will be scheduled for a new impression appointment and it will take approximately one week to have the new retainer made.
The lower retainer is typically a bonded fixed retainer. Dr. Snead will make the decision of what type of retainers is better suited for each individual patient. This is decided at the removal appointment and discussed with the patient and parent.