When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far! If you have a removable retainer, please remember to take it out before brushing, and brush the retainer before placing it back in your mouth.
Removable Retainers
Maxillary wrap-around retainers are your upper retainers, which are removable. You must be very careful when handling your upper 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 also be removed when participating in sports that require a mouthguard or while swimming. After 12 months of full-time wear, we may revise your retention treatment, allowing the retainer to strictly be worn at night.
Fixed Retainers
Bonded lingual retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of your lower canines (eye teeth) and incisors. This is one of the best ways to prevent your lower teeth from shifting as it is permanently attached! Patients with bonded lingual retainers must be careful with their bite as the bonding material may break due to incorrect biting and cause teeth to shift quickly. As with removable retainers, it is important to keep them clean. When brushing, make sure to carefully clean the inside of your lower teeth as well as the wire.
If your retainer breaks at any time during treatment, please do not adjust it yourself. Call us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.
Damon® Splint
Designed by Dr. Dwight Damon, the Damon Splint is generally utilized to reinforce Class II and Class III correction, as well as lateral tongue thrusting and crossbite treatment. The appliance consists of two Essix slip covers bonded together from the back molar to the middle of the upper cuspid tip, to retain the teeth and arches in the corrected position. The Damon Splint is manufactured from durable, aesthetically-pleasing materials.