Retainers
Life with Braces | Types of Braces | Types of Appliances | Retainers
The twelve month supervised retention phase following removal of your braces and/or appliances is part of your original treatment contract. It includes normal retainer checks and any necessary adjustments. Any defective retainer will be repaired, adjusted, or replaced. However, this does not include retainers that have been lost or damaged due to misuse or lack of proper care. Following the twelve month retainer phase you will “graduate” from the practice. If you would like to be seen after you graduate, there will be a standard office visit charge plus any cost of retainer replacements. Payment will be due at that appointment.
Retainer Instructions:
- Wear your retainers 24/7, until Dr. Chadwell instructs otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating, and ALWAYS put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but they do not take the place of brushing.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Your pets will treat them as their favorite chew toy!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking or reading out loud to get used to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken, please call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or if your retainers need adjusting, call us. Please do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers with you to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive; with proper care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, table lamps, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
