Post-Treatment Maintenance
Once you have completed the orthodontic process and your teeth look great, you will enter the “retention” phase of treatment. This is a very important step to determine how your teeth will look for years to come. Please be sure to follow all instructions for wearing and caring for your retainer. If you have questions about your retainer, please call Brown-Saito Orthodontics at 360-256-7220.
We use three types of removables retainers: clear plastic shell, hard plastic with a wire, or Vivera® retainers from Invisalign.® Our orthodontists in Vancouver, Washington, will choose the most appropriate type of retainer based on your original orthodontic diagnosis.
If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself. Call for an appointment. Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
- Wear your retainer at all times, unless Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown instructs otherwise.
- Clean the traditional plastic and wire retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
- Clean the clear plastic shell retainer with a toothbrush and liquid hand soap - NOT toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
- If you take your retainer out when eating, always put it in a case! (Most retainers are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants or chewed up by pets!)
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately. We may be able to replace or repair the retainer so bring all of the pieces to your appointment if you have them.
Vivera® Retainers
- Rinse and brush the retainer with non-abrasive toothpaste; soak in a denture cleaning solution and then rinse again.
- Do not use hot water as it will distort or damage your retainer.
- Store your retainer in a clean, dry place.
- Avoid sticky foods, chewing and hot drinks while wearing your retainer.
- Do not leave your retainer in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle.
- Call our office if you have any questions.
Fixed bonded wire retainers
- A fixed wire retainer is often used to maintain the lower front teeth in position. Brush around this wire and floss between the teeth each night. Hard and sticky food must be avoided to prevent the bonded retainer from coming loose. If this retainer is swallowed, consult your physician immediately then call our office.
- If the wire comes loose or out, please save it and call the office for an appointment to rebond it.
Retainer Designs
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