Retainer wear is just as important as treatment in order to have straight teeth. Once treatment is completed, whether it is with braces or aligners, the teeth will want to move back to their original position, especially at the beginning. If you do not wear them your teeth will move! If you choose not to wear your retainers as instructed and your teeth move, there will be an added fee if we need to use braces or aligners to move them back. If you lose or break your retainer, please come in immediately to have a new one fabricated so that your teeth do not move! We love your smile as it is and do not want to lose all of the hard work put into it!
General Instructions:
- Wear your retainers a minimum of 22 hours a day until Dr. Kuzmic determines that you may switch to nighttime wear only.
- Rinse and brush your retainer gently when you brush your teeth. Do not use toothpaste to brush your retainer, it could wear away the material.
- Keep your retainers out of reach of pets. They love the smell of you and will eat them at first opportunity!
- Avoid extreme heat (dishwashers, hot cars, hot liquids).
- Do not place on a napkin or lunch tray.
- Always store your retainer in your case. As we always say, “If it’s not in your face it’s in your case!”
- If you break your retainer, save any and all parts, we may be able to use them to fabricate your new one, that could make it cheaper!
- Sometimes, if you are wearing your retainer well, it can get a little gross. Feel free to schedule a quick retainer check appointment with your favorite orthodontist for us to give it a deep clean!
- If you ever feel like your retainer is too tight or too lose, please schedule an appointment for us to adjust it
Acrylic (Hawley) Retainer Special Instructions:
- Insert the retainer by gently placing it around the front teeth, and then firmly pushing on the acrylic to seat it completely. Placing too much force on the wire in the front could bend the wire and make the retainer not fit.
- Remove the retainer from the back, pulling down on each side, before carefully removing it in the front.
- The front bar should be resting about in the middle of your teeth, unless Dr. Kuzmic has told you it should rest in a different location. Gently pull on the bar to move it into the correct position.
- Soak your retainer in POLIDENT® once a week to help keep it clean.
Clear (Essix) Retainer Special Instructions:
- Insert the retainer by gently placing it around the front teeth, and then firmly pushing on the biting surface of your back teeth to seat it. Placing too much force trying to flex it around the front teeth could cause it to fracture.
- Remove the retainer from the back, pulling down on each side, before carefully removing it in the front.
- We recommend EverSmile® Aligner Fresh Aligner and Retainer Cleaner if you are unable to keep your clear retainers clean with a tooth brush and water alone.
Bonded (Attached) Retainer Instructions:
- Use floss threaders or a water flosser to floss the teeth within the bonded retainer. Not cleaning up this area can cause gum disease.
- Push against each bonded part of the retainer with your tongue occasionally to ensure that each side is still attached. If anything has detached or broken, please schedule an appointment for replacement.
- If Dr. Kuzmic has prescribed an attached retainer, it is because these teeth have a special tendency to move. Therefore, you need to be extra diligent.
