Retainers From the Orthodontist Kirkwood, MO Loves

Maintain Your Brilliant Smile for a Lifetime

The benefits of orthodontic treatment will last a lifetime if you wear your retainers. Junction Orthodontics asks that you keep these essential patient responsibilities in mind:

Removable Retainers

Once the active orthodontic appliances are removed, the patient will receive retainers to stabilize the dental correction. Because the bone and soft tissues surrounding the teeth are stabilizing for several months after braces are removed, it is imperative that the retainers are worn as instructed. Failure to wear the retainers may result in undesirable movement of the teeth, which could necessitate re-treatment. Learn more about how retainers can benefit you when you contact a qualified orthodontist in Kirkwood, MO.

How Orthodontic Retainers are Worn

Because teeth can continue to move throughout life, we feel individuals who have undergone orthodontic therapy should wear retainers indefinitely. A patient should wear retainers 24 hours a day (taking them out only to eat and brush) for six months following the removal of braces.

After the teeth have been in their ideal position for six months, the patient can wear the orthodontic retainer at night exclusively. We recommend wearing these retainers “nighttime for a lifetime.” With proper care, this set of retainers should last several years. 

Grinding or clenching teeth at night could lead to deterioration of the retainers and may require you to replace them more frequently. Please bring your retainers to any scheduled appointments so we can evaluate how they fit.

How to Care for Orthodontic Retainers

• Retainers are composed of a thermoplastic material sensitive to excessive heat, so protect them from heaters, dishwashers, car dashboards, or any place where the temperatures exceed 115 degrees (Fº).
• Retainers should be kept in the provided retainer case when they are not in the patient’s mouth.
• Please keep your retainers away from family pets who like to chew on them.
• Clean before and after placement in the mouth. Because the material used for fabrication is slightly porous, plaque tends to cling to the surfaces. Gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush and a mild liquid soap will remove the plaque. A denture cleaning solution, such as Efferdent, will aid in the removal of plaque and tartar. Rinse the retainers thoroughly after cleaning them to remove any residue.

Because individuals wear retainers for years, they will need periodic replacement. Your original treatment contract includes one set of retainers after removing your braces. There is a charge for replacement retainers if the retainers are lost or broken or you would like a newer set.

You must call the Junction Orthodontics office and schedule an appointment for an impression of your teeth before we can make a retainer. Contact our office to schedule this appointment immediately to avoid unwanted teeth shifting. We’ll have a qualified orthodontist Webster Groves, MO relies on go over the best options for you.

Habits or Conditions that Require Stronger Retention

• Mouth breathing
• Clenching or grinding of teeth (muscle hyperactivity)
• Tongue thrusting, low tongue posture, or abnormal tongue posture
• Playing a musical instrument with a reed
• Lip sucking
• Pen or pencil biting
• Spacing between the teeth before treatment
• Severely rotated teeth

We aim to help your smile stay beautiful and healthy for a lifetime. Your cooperation is essential to achieve this goal.

Dental Examinations and Cleanings

The patient should continue with proper oral hygiene procedures at home, including thorough brushing and flossing techniques, and commit to seeing their family dentist at least every six months for routine check-ups. Make sure you get in touch with an orthodontist Webster Groves, MO counts on to schedule an appointment today!