Retention

When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. Typically, you will wear the retainer full time for 6 months, and at night for 12 months. Following this phase of your treatment, you should wear the retainer nightly, as needed, indefinitely. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far. Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.

Why are retainers important?

Braces have one aim: to use gentle pressure to move teeth into proper alignment. When braces are removed, your teeth are still loose. Retainers hold the new position of your teeth in place until bone slowly fills in around them.

As braces move teeth, the bone and fibers attached to the teeth change, causing teeth to become a little loose. After braces are removed, teeth are still loose. The looseness enables teeth to move slightly in all directions.

Within months, bone starts to “fill in” around the tooth roots, stabilizing their new positions. Retainers or other retention devices are essential because they hold the teeth in place while bone “fills in” around the tooth roots. If retainers are not worn after braces are removed, teeth may shift out of alignment and stabilize when they are not straight.

What can cause teeth to become crooked again after they’ve been straightened?

• Failure to wear retainers
• Uncorrected tongue thrust
• Continued thumb sucking
• Placing new crowns or fillings without making sure retainers or positioners still fit appropriately
• Eruption of wisdom teeth

During treatment, Dr. La Batto does everything possible to provide long-term stability for your teeth. After braces are removed, it is your responsibility to ensure your teeth remain straight.

You will notice facial changes as the years pass. These changes, which are genetically predetermined, can sometimes affect your bite. When you notice these changes, please call us, so we can make adjustments while they are still minor. The longer you put off calling our office, the more difficult these adjustments will be.

Retainer Instructions

• Bring your retainers to each appointment.
• After your braces are removed, wear your retainer 24 hours a day for six months. After that, you should wear your retainer 12 hours a day; permitted you’ve worn them as instructed the first six months. Dr. La Batto will give you further instructions on retainer wear at your retention appointments.
• Remove your retainers when eating, but always remember to place them in their case. (Most retainers are lost in restaurants and school lunch rooms.)
• Thoroughly brush your retainers daily to remove plaque and eliminate odors. Clean using warm water, a dish soap and a toothbrush.
• When you are not wearing your retainers, always place them in their case. Pets love to chew on them!
• When you first begin wearing your retainer, you may have difficulty speaking. To get used to them faster, read, sing and speak out loud.
• Retainers are easy to break. Handle them with care. If you lose or break your retainer, contact us immediately. Please bring your broken retainer with you when you come to the office. Do not flip the retainer with your tongue. This weakens the wire.
• To remove you retainer pull on the loops.
• It is expensive to replace a retainer. If you properly care for your retainer, it can last for years.
• Keep your retainer away from hot water, pockets, the washing machine, napkins and hot car dashboards.

Types of Retainers

Bonded Retainers These retainers are bonded to the backs of teeth. Due to problems with bite clearance, Dr. La Batto may recommends patients wear lower bonded retainers, rather than upper bonded retainers.

Invisible Retainers These retainers are comfortable, virtually invisible, lightweight and fairly flexible. They are typically worn when no additional tooth movement is desired.

Hawley Retainers Hawley retainers may be used for both lower and upper teeth. The retainer consists of: Wires, which wrap around the outside surface of the teeth. The design of the wires vary, depending on Dr. La Batto’s instructions. Acrylic, which covers the roof of the mouth, as well as the inside surface of the lower teeth. You can select the color of the acrylic. Hawley retainers not only hold teeth in place, they can also be used to move teeth slightly.