Removable retainers

To ensure the success of your orthodontic treatment is maintained, please read the following carefully.

Why do I need retainers?

Retainers need to be worn as advised by your orthodontist, because failure to do so will significantly increase the risk of your teeth returning back to their original position (relapsing). Wearing retainers will support the teeth, whilst your bone and gums remodel with your teeth in their new position. The risk of relapse is greatest within the first 12 months after braces are re – moved. Therefore your orthodontist will supervise and support you wearing your retainers during this 12 month period.

How long do I need to wear my retainers?

Although we say these days, retention is for life! over a period of time the need for wearing retainers reduces gradually over the years. Please be aware that your teeth will want to move in the future, and how committed you are to wearing retainers will determine how likely and to what extent your teeth will move in the years ahead.

When do I need to wear my retainers?

You will need to wear your retainers as follows, unless your orthodontist instructs otherwise:

• Full time for 1 week (except eating, drinking anything except cold water, brushing teeth, swimming, contact sports – when wearing a gum shield)
• Then every night for 12 months (following brushing your teeth at night)

After 12 months, your orthodontist will advise you whether you are ready to reduce your retainer wear and if so, give you long-term advice on how often you then need to wear them. But please note that you will need to be committed to some kind of routine indefinitely, if you want to prevent the risk of relapse.

Do I need to return for any more appointments?

Yes, your orthodontist will ask you to return every 4 months for the following year after your braces are removed, prior to discharging you. During these visits, your orthodontist will check your retainers and see how well they fit, therefore

PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR RETAINERS TO ALL FUTURE ORTHODONTIC APPOINTMENTS.

If you do forget your retainers, please be aware that you are likely to be asked to rebook your appointment.

What do I do if I have a problem with my retainers?

If you have a problem with your retainers e.g. it appears broken, uncomfortable, not fitting well, please call our practice and a member of our team will happily offer advice and book you in to see your orthodontist as soon as possible. Please DO NOT leave it until your next scheduled appointment.

How do I clean my retainers?

Retainers can harbour a lot of bacteria and become very unhygienic if not kept clean. Here are some tips:

• Clean your retainers at least twice a day using a manual toothbrush, some liquid soap or antibacterial washing up liquid, and cold or lukewarm water.
• Do NOT use toothpaste (as this will scratch your retainers).
• Rinse under cold or lukewarm water and store dry in a retainer box.
• Soak your retainers (once cleaned) in a retainer cleaning solution (e.g. retainer brite, efferves) once or twice a week to kill the bacteria you cannot remove with brushing.
• You should be able to see through your retainers. If they are starting to develop a chalky plaque-like film on them, you need to clean them more, otherwise this will get worse and will also compromise the fit of them in the future.
• How do I ensure that I do not lose or break my retainers?

How do I ensure that I do not lose or break my retainers?

• Remove your retainers when eating, drinking (except cold water) and cleaning.
• When not wearing them keep them safe in a hard container (with your name and con- tact details labelled on it).
• Never wrap them up in tissue, store them unprotected in your pocket, plastic bag, leave them on a dinner tray, otherwise they are likely to be accidentally thrown away or crushed.
• Clean them carefully – be thorough but not heavy handed.
• Keep them away from heat e.g. direct sunlight, radiator (as they will distort).
• Keep them away from dogs, even if they are in a hard container, as dogs will chew everything!

What do I do if I miss wearing them for a night?

Do try to wear your retainers every night, but if you do miss the odd night, then aim to wear them the next day for longer to make up for the wear time you have missed. Your retainers may feel a bit tighter. If so, then you may need to take a painkiller (usual one for a headache) to ease any discomfort. Please do not allow the discomfort to stop you from wearing your retainers, because if you start to miss more days, sooner or later your retainers will no longer fit.

What do I do if my retainers no longer fit because my teeth have moved?

Although the above advice is often enough to squeeze the teeth back into place, please be aware that your retainers over time will not fit as well, the more nights you miss, because your teeth have moved too much. Please return with your retainers as soon as possible so your orthodontist can assess the situation and advise accordingly.

If you require new retainers please be aware that you will need to pay for these. Any new retainers will not move your teeth back to where they were but will be made to fit your teeth in their current relapsed position. This is unless you decide to then have further orthodontic treatment, but please note that you would need to pay for this.

In the meantime, following the above advice will give you the tips you need to help you maintain your fantastic new smile for as long as possible.