Retainers
The benefits of orthodontic treatment will last a lifetime if you keep these important patient responsibilities in mind:
Dental examinations and cleanings
The patient should continue with proper oral hygiene procedures at home, to include thorough brushing and flossing techniques. The patient should be seen by his or her family dentist at least every six months for cleaning and dental examinations.
Removable Retainers
Once the active orthodontic appliances are removed, the patient will receive retainers to stabilize the dental correction. Because the bone and soft tissues surrounding the teeth are stabilizing for several months after braces are removed, it is imperative that the retainers are worn as instructed. Failure to wear the retainers may result in undesirable movement of the teeth, which could necessitate re-treatment.
How retainers are worn
Because teeth can continue to move throughout life, we feel that individuals who have undergone orthodontic therapy should wear retainers indefinitely. A patient should wear retainers all the time for one year following the removal of braces. After one year, the patient can wear the retainer just at night. This is to allow the wisdom teeth to develop without ruining the patient’s beautiful smile. (Dr. Schacher will see you every six to nine months to make recommendations on the wisdom teeth and an X-ray will be taken every one and a half years.) Once the wisdom teeth have been decided on, wear your retainer at least one night per week. This is because, as you get older, the muscles that surround your teeth will get tighter and place pressure on your teeth, causing them to move or crowd.
How to care for retainers
Retainers are made of a thermoplastic material that is sensitive to excessive heat, so they should be kept away from heaters, dishwashers, car dashboards or any place where the temperatures exceed 115 degrees (Fº). Retainers should be kept in the proper retainer case when they are not in the patient’s mouth. They should also be kept away from any family pets, as they like to chew on them. Retainers should be cleaned before and after placement in the mouth. Because the material used for fabrication is slightly porous, plaque tends to cling to the surfaces. Gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush and a mild liquid soap will remove the plaque. A denture cleaning solution, such as Efferdent, will aid in the removal of plaque and tartar. Be sure to rinse the retainers thoroughly after cleaning to remove any cleanser residue.
Because retainers are worn for years, they will need periodic replacement. If the retainers are lost or damaged due to neglect, there will be a charge for replacement. If the retainers become loose or break, contact our office immediately.
Fixed retainers (Bonded Wire)
We used to use this type of retainer however with the advancement in orthodontic retention and the new clear plastic retainers -this type of retainer is not recommended by our office. Patients can develop a gum problem, it’s very hard to clean and floss, if the wire gets bent or comes unglued the teeth will shift the wrong way. If you currently have this type of retainer it should be removed and replaced with a removable type. The removable retainer should then be worn as Dr. Schacher prescribes.
Our goal is to help your smile stay beautiful and healthy for a lifetime. Your cooperation wearing your retainers as prescribed is essential in order to achieve this goal.