Retention Stage Information
When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The active retention phase lasts for a minimum of 18 months, with full-time wear for 6 months and every night wear (8-10 hours nightly) for 1 year. After the initial 18 months of retention, we recommend 2 nights weekly FOREVER to maintain your result. Teeth will always shift if retainers are not worn, even years down the road.
Retainer Form
Removable Retainers
We offer two types of removable retainers - clear tray Essix retainers and wire & plastic Hawley retainers. Hawley retainers are made of colored acrylic with a wire built in to hold the teeth in place. Essix retainers are clear form-fit acrylic trays that completely cover the teeth.
You must be very careful when handling your retainers, as they are fragile and costly to replace. You are given a special case for your retainer; please make sure you keep them in this case when not wearing it! To clean these retainers, brush them with toothpaste (sometimes with denture cleaner) using warm water.
Your retainers should be worn at all times with the exception of eating and brushing your teeth. Your retainer should be worn 6 months full-time wear, then 1 year of night-time wear. After a year and a half, wear a couple of nights a week long term if you don't want your teeth to shift.
Fixed Retainers
We also offer a fixed or bonded retainer typically for the lower teeth only. The custom fixed wire is bonded to the inside of the front six teeth and is always in place to keep the teeth from moving. Occasionally, the bonds to the teeth may need to be replaced. However, many patients choose this option so they don’t have to remember to wear the retainers.
