Retention
KEEPING YOUR NEW SMILE FOREVER
Remember, your teeth move throughout life as a normal adaptation to the forces of chewing, aging, and function. The goal of retention is to minimize adverse changes, and retain the beautiful functional alignment achieved with orthodontic treatment.
• Retention is essential to maintaining a good final result, and once again You have the key role. The first year after braces are removed, is the most important.
• Retention is essential to maintaining a good final result, and once again You have the key role. The first year after braces are removed, is the most important.
• Immediately after braces are removed, wear your retainer all the time, except for brushing, eating and active sports. Remember your teeth are mobile at this stage of treatment, and will move without your retainer. You worked hard to get this smile; let’s keep it that way!
• After the wisdom teeth have been assessed for removal and Dr. McLaughlin feels the possibility of relapse is reduced, retainer wear can be decreased as per our instructions. Retainers should be worn occasionally for life, to ensure good retention.
• Retainers may easily be broken if they are not in your mouth, or in their case. Avoid leaving them in places where the family pet can reach them. Your dog will have a great time chewing on your retainer, while you are at school!
• You may talk funny or salivate more when you first get your retainer. This is normal and will improve in time. Reading out loud for practice helps!
• Brush your retainer daily with a toothbrush and nonabrasive soap and water. Soaking acrylic retainers in a denture cleaning tablet, once a week, will help to minimize calcium deposits.
