Retainers
RETAINERS: WEAR & CARE (Phase One only)
- Wear your removable retainers every night while you sleep and as much as possible while you are at home (at least 8-10 hours every night).
- Please do not take them to school if possible because that is where they are most likely to get lost or broken.
- Your retainers are made so baby teeth can fall out and permanent teeth will be guided into better alignment.
- Wear retainers until enough permanent teeth have erupted that they may no longer fit properly. At that time, Dr. Styrt will re-evaluate your development and discuss his treatment recommendations with you.
- We continue to monitor the growth and development of our Phase I patients until all permanent teeth have erupted. We feel this is very important, therefore all office visits and retainer adjustments are included in the Phase I fees.
- If Dr. Styrt indicates that a Second Phase of treatment is recommended, we will schedule a consultation to discuss his treatment plan and recommendations with you.
- Wear your retainers as instructed above.
- If your retainers are not fitting well or there is some reason that you are unable to wear them, please notify us immediately or your teeth may shift.
- Keep your appointments. If you miss appointments we cannot monitor your retention.
- Take care of your retainers. Clean them daily with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Do not soak any retainer that has soldered areas in Efferdent or other denture cleaners. The Efferdent will cause the solder joint to come apart. Do not wrap your retainers in a napkin, as they may be thrown away accidentally. Dogs and other pets love to chew on retainers so keep them out of reach. Do not expose your retainers to heat. They are made out of plastic and may distort (melt). When you are not wearing or cleaning your retainers keep them in the protective retainer case.
- If you lose or break a retainer, please call us immediately. Your teeth may move if your retainers are not worn as directed. There is a charge to replace lost or broken retainers, so please be careful.
- Return to your family primary care dentist for regularly scheduled examinations and cleanings. Brush and floss thoroughly every day to protect that beautiful smile.
PHASE II or COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT
You've worked hard to create the smile of your dreams! We want you to keep your teeth looking as great as the day you completed your treatment. Please read the following suggestions.
- First 3 months: Wear retainers full-time (at least 22 hours per day)
- Month 4-6: Leave retainers out no more than 8-10 hours per day
- Month 7-9: Leave retainers out no more than 12 hours per day
- After 9 months: Wear retainers at night for approximately 8 hours. Continue this for at least 12 months
- After 1st year of night-time wear: Wear retainers for 6 nights per week
- After 2nd year of night-time wear: Wear retainers for 5 nights per week
- After 3rd year: 4 nights/week
- After 4th year: 3 nights/week
- After 5th year: 2 nights/week
- After that: At least 1-2 nights/week
- Wear your retainers as instructed above. They are intended to retain your great smile!
- If your retainers are not fitting well or there is some reason that you are unable to wear them, please notify us immediately or your teeth may shift.
- Return to your dentist for your regularly scheduled exams and cleanings. Brush and floss thoroughly every day to protect your beautiful smile.
- Keep your follow-up appointments. If you miss appointments, we are unable to monitor your retention.
- Take care of you retainers. Clean them daily with toothpaste and a toothbrush. Do not soak any retainer that has soldered areas in Efferdent or other denture cleaners. The Efferdent will cause the solder joint to come apart. Do not wrap your retainers in a napkin. Dogs and other pets love to chew on them so keep them out of reach. Do not expose your retainers to heat. They are made of plastic and may melt. When you are not wearing or cleaning your retainers, keep them in the protective retainer case provided by our office.
- If you lose or break a retainer, please call us immediately. Your teeth may move if your retainers are not worn as directed. There is a charge to replace lost or broken retainers, so please be careful.
- Because retention is so important for your long term orthodontic results, we are pleased to include 12 months of supervised retention therapy as part of your treatment. After one year of retention, we are happy to continue to monitor your smile for a nominal office visit fee.
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