Retainers
Now that your braces are off and you are enjoying your awesome new smile, we would like to give you some information about retainers. Retainers are very important to your orthodontic result and the first year after braces is always the most crucial.
Until you are advised differently, wear your retainers all the time, except for playing sports and eating. Some hot-shots learn to eat with them in and rinse them off afterward. It’s up to you, but…
If you take them out, put them in your case, not in a napkin! You don’t want them accidentally thrown away!
They can get yucky very quickly if you don’t keep them clean. Brush the retainers with cold water every time you brush your teeth. Soaking them in mouthwash during dinner will give you that after-dinner mint taste! Occasionally soaking in regular denture cleaner is also a good idea.
Retainers can easily be broken if they are not in your mouth or in their case. Avoid backpacks, back pockets, tabletops and places where the family dog can attack them!
If you do break your retainers, don’t try to fix it yourself! Call us to get it repaired.
Be careful not to “click” them in and out all the time or always be taking them out to show friends. This will cause them to get loose and not fit properly.
Retainers don’t like heat! Avoid hot water, sunlight and don’t microwave them (Yes, it’s been done)!
You may talk funny or salivate more when you first get them. This is normal and will improve with practice and time. If you are a student, you may want to let your teacher know why you may sound like Daffy Duck for a couple days!
Remember: Retainers are difficult to make and are expensive to replace. Take care of them and keep your recall appointments with us! With proper care, your retainers will serve you well for a very long time.
Removable Appliances
Removable appliances, unlike conventional braces, are used to retain teeth in their corrected positions and in some cases, to influence growth of the jaws in order to effect changes in facial structure. In addition, they are often used before and in conjunction with fixed appliances.
Removable appliances are not utilized to treat all orthodontic problems. It takes skill, and experience to recognize conditions that will respond favorably to removable appliances. Timing of such therapy also is very important.
Since removable appliances can easily be taken out by the patient, there may be a tendency not to wear them as we have prescribed. This means your teeth, jaws and muscles may move back toward their original positions.
Removable appliances require care. Although you may notice an effect on eating and speaking along with an increase in the flow of saliva, you will eventually adjust to the appliance.
Expansion Appliances