Retainers
Teeth do not stay straight by themselves! Eruption of other teeth, facial growth and age-related changes, and pressure from tongues, lips, and cheeks are some of the factors that can push teeth around. To maintain your new smile after braces are removed, it is vital to wear your retainers. Retainers help to keep the teeth aligned for the long term.
Fortunately, retainer wear is SIMPLE and we make them mostly invisible. Don’t forget to clean them, just like your teeth. All of our patients will start off wearing their retainers full time including during sleep. If all goes well, you will then gradually wear them less and less. Eventually, retainers will be worn as little as a few hours per week or not at all.
FAQs
What can I expect from my new retainers?
When you first get your retainers, your speech will be slightly affected. Your saliva flow will also temporarily increase. The retainers might also feel tight. These sensations will gradually fade away after a few days.
What do I do if I lost/broke my retainer?
- Allow your pets to get to your retainers – dogs love to chew them!
- Wrap them in a paper napkin or plastic bag – this can be too easily mistaken for rubbish and thrown away
- Place retainers in very hot water – this can distort the plastic and ruin the fit
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