Retainers

Now that your braces are off, you want to make sure that your beautiful smile always remains as striking as it is today! In order to do that, retainers will be provided to you. You are responsible for wearing them as instructed, and neglecting to wear them may result in your teeth shifting back to their old positions. Dr. Martin and his team use both removable and fixed retainers, and will recommend the ones that will best suit you.

Removable retainers:

Clean your retainers with your toothbrush and low-abrasive gel toothpaste at least once a day. Abrasive toothpastes will scratch your retainers and make them cloudy. Rinse your retainers whenever you take them out of your mouth, before placing them in their case.
Soaking your retainers two or three times a week in Polident Retainer tablets can leave your retainers with a fresh minty taste.
Make sure to always place your retainers in the case provided when removing them from your mouth. Never wrap them in tissue or put them in your pocket without storing them in the case provided.
Take your retainers out to play sports, and replace them with a proper mouthguard.
If you have any pets, especially a dog, keep them out of their reach — even if they are in the case, because pets are often able to open them!
Never put your retainers in hot water, or place them anywhere near a heat source.
Bring your retainers with you to every appointment.
You should not skip more than one night of retainer wear after the removal of your wisdom teeth.
If you lose or break your retainer or notice any cracks, please contact our office as soon as possible — it does not take much time before teeth starts shifting!
If you notice your teeth shifting or if your retainers do not fit properly, please contact our office as soon as possible.

Vacuum retainers (Clear retainers)

Vacuum retainers are the type of retainers that our office most commonly uses, because they are comfortable, aesthetically-pleasing, and easy to wear. These retainers are removable, clear, fit tightly over your teeth, and are almost invisible.

Wear both of your upper and lower vacuum retainers 24 hours a day for one month.
Take your retainers out only when you eat, brush and floss your teeth or play sports — at which time we would recommend that you wear a mouthguard.
After the first month, you can begin to wear your vacuum retainers for three hours during the day and all night when you are sleeping (approximately 12 hours/day)
Continue to wear your retainers 12 hours/day until we see you again in approximately six months.
After six months, Dr. Martin will decide if it is possible for you to wear your retainers just at bedtime.
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, Dr. Martin will ask that you alternate between the vacuum retainer and the Hawley retainer provided. Both of the retainers will have a false tooth to hold the space for the missing tooth.
Full-time wear of a vacuum retainer for more than one year can result in damage of your teeth, and that’s why it’s so important to alternate between your retainers.
12-hour wear of the vacuum retainer and 12-hour wear of the Hawley is suggested to prevent damage to your teeth.

Hawley retainers

These types of removable retainers are made with both acrylic (plastic) and a metallic wire. Our office will use these types of retainers when closing space or filling in areas where teeth are missing.
Adding a false tooth on your retainer not only keeps the space open for the missing teeth, but it also provides a temporary aesthetically-pleasing result.
These retainers come clear or in a variety of colors
These retainers can also be suggested when patients had jaw surgery to widen the upper jaw. The acrylic makes the retainer more rigid and better suited for patients who had jaw surgery.
A removable Hawley retainer will also be suggested for patients who had very deep bites prior to orthodontic treatment. Hawleys are very efficient in keeping the new vertical position of your jaws.
Wear this type of retainer full-time, 24 hours/day, for one month. Take your retainers out only when you eat, brush and floss your teeth, or play sports — at which time we would recommend that you wear a mouthguard.
After the first month, you can begin to wear your retainers for three hours during the day and all night when you are sleeping (approximately 12 hours/day)
Continue to wear your retainers 12 hours/day until we see you again in approximately six months.
If you are missing a tooth or several teeth, Dr. Martin will ask that you alternate between the vacuum retainer and the Hawley retainer provided. Both of the retainers will have a false tooth to hold the space for the missing tooth.
Full-time wear of a vacuum retainer for more than one year can result in damage of your teeth, and that’s why it’s so important to alternate between your retainers.
12-hour wear of the vacuum retainer and 12-hour wear of the Hawley is suggested to prevent damage to your teeth.

Fixed retainers

A fixed retainer will remain in your mouth permanently, usually for several years, until its removal.
A fixed lingual retainer consists of a small wire which is attached to the tongue side of your upper and/or lower front teeth. Dr. Martin will use a lingual retainer if there is concern that spaces may open or teeth may drift or move back due to a strong natural tendency.
We will also provide you with a clear vacuum retainer to fit over your teeth. The clear retainer will hold your back teeth in place.
You will need to use floss threaders between the retainer wire and the gums, when flossing daily.
When brushing, be extra careful to clean the retainer wire and the tongue side of your teeth. A fixed retainer can trap food and plaque, increasing the need for good oral hygiene.
If the fixed retainer cannot be properly cleaned, Dr. Martin may suggest the removal of it in order to prevent any gum problems.
Make sure to get your lingual retainers examined every six months by Dr. Martin or your general dentist. If it detaches and goes unnoticed for much longer than six months, your teeth can shift or most importantly, a cavity can form under the wire.
If your retainer is lost or broken, there will be a replacement or repair charge.