RETENTION

REMOVABLE RETAINERS

Most patients receive removable retainers. These retainers are to be worn nightly (or as prescribed by Dr. Kerr) Once your teeth become more stable, you won’t have to wear your retainer as often. You’ll likely only need to wear it at night when you sleep. Follow the schedule Dr. Kerr provides. Failing to wear your retainer often enough can cause your teeth to shift. Even going a few days without wearing the retainer can lead to shifting.

When you take your retainer out, you need to clean it. Hawley retainers can be brushed with a toothbrush and toothpaste. However, if you have clear retainers, you’ll need to use a retainer cleaner.

Protect your retainer when it is not in your mouth. You will receive a case to protect the retainer when it isn’t in your mouth. Don’t leave the retainer and case in a hot car. When exposed to extreme heat, retainers change shape.

FIXED RETAINERS

While not as common, Dr. Kerr does provide fixed retainers in some cases. These retainers stay in the mouth at all times.

You must keep your teeth and the retainer clean. Clean the wire when brushing your teeth and use a floss threader or water flosser to floss around the retainer. If the retainer becomes loose, contact Dr. Kerr immediately.

RETENTION – THE KEY TO A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Don’t make the mistake of thinking treatment is over when your braces come off. If you fail to go through the retention stage, your teeth will move, and you will need orthodontic treatment once again. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kerr to learn more about retention after braces. You can talk about removable and fixed retainers and find out which option is right for you.