What is a Retainer and what is Retention:
A retainer is the custom made appliance that keeps your teeth in their correct position. Without it your teeth will move back to where they were before you had braces. Your teeth can and will keep moving throughout your lifetime. Wearing a retainer can prevent your teeth from becoming crowded or crooked again. That way, you'll have a great-looking smile for the rest of your life.
What you can expect:
Wearing a retainer is easy but it may take a few days to getused to it. Swallowing and talking may seem a bit awkwardat first. For a day or two, your mouth may be slightly sore. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Remember:The more you wear your retainer the sooner you'll get used to it.
Wearing your Retainer:
You should take your retainer out to eat and to brush. Also,if you are active in contact sports you will need to wear a mouth guard, be sure to keep your retainer out of your mouth. When the retainer is out of your mouth, be sure to always keep it in your retainer case.
If the retainer is left out for any length of time, they may fit too tight and need to be adjusted or they will not fit at all and a new set will have to be made at additional expense.
Remember:
Your teeth will move even years from now. Wearing a retainer can keep that from happening. For this reason, you may need to wear your retainer once in a while for years to come. When you're not sure how often you should wear your retainer, ask Dr. Pritchard. After 3-6 months, you will be told to start wearing your retainer just when you are sleeping.
Retainer Appointments:
Your adjustment appointments will become less frequent. If you have a problem with your retainer, do not wait for your scheduledappointment call us if you have any problems with your retainers.
Call Dr. Pritchard as soon as possible when:
1. You lose your retainer.
2. Your retainer breaks.
3. Your retainer causes pain.
4. Your retainer doesn't fit right.
Costs:
Our treatment fee covers all of the orthodontic care needed and one set of retainers given at the end of treatment. Additional fees will be charged for iost retainers, broken retainers or for producing new retainers because the original retainer was no worn andlor doesn't fit anymore. Our well made retainers will last many years with proper care. Our goal is to give you a lifetime of great smiles.
Caring for your Retainer:
1. Rinse your retainer with water when you take it out At least twice a day brush it with toothpaste when you brush your teeth. Be sure to brush the roof of your mouth, too.
2. Once a week soak your retainer in either a commercial denture cleaner or in solution of at least 8 oz. of water that contains a capful (no more than 2 tablespoons) of bleach in it. This will sterilize and purify your retainers on a regular basis.
3. When not wearing your retainer, put it in its case. Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin, ever. It can get thrown away too easily. Never put your retainer in a pocket.
4. Store your retainer in a cool place. Heat can cause it to lose its shape. Don't boil your retainer or leave it in the sun or on the dashboard of a vehicle. Any liquid too hot to drink is too hot.
5. Keep your retainer away from pets (especially dogs). It will turn into a costly chew toy.
6. Don't "flip" your retainer with your tongue - it's annoying to other people and can result in breakage!
7. Remember, the most ideal place to store your retainer is in your mouth.
Keep at it!
You have worked hard to get your teeth straight Now continue to do your part to keep them that way. When you wear your retainer as much as Dr. Pritchard advises, your teeth will stay straight for a lifetime. Scientific studies have shown that the orthodontic treatments that stay fitting and looking the best were treatments where the retainers were worn at night for a long time. NEVER stop wearing your retainers without first talking with Dr. Pritchard.