Retainers
Orthodontist in Rancho Cucamonga
Most comprehensive orthodontic treatment will involve the use of braces or aligners. In either case, you or your child’s treatment involves minor movement of your teeth to correct misalignment. This ensures both a straight smile and an even bite.
However, braces are not the only stage needed for a permanent orthodontic solution. Once your or your child braces have been taken off, the retention phase begins. It is vitally important to follow through with retention to maintain you or your child’s newly straight smile after treatment. You or your child’s final orthodontic results depend on using a retainer, so be sure to keep you or your child’s appointments with our team even after your braces have been removed.
There are a few distinct types of retainers that may be recommended to you or your child:
- Clear Retainers – A removable, transparent plastic tray that fits over you or your child’s teeth.
- Traditional Retainers – A removable appliance made of acrylic and a wire that sits on the front side of you or your child’s teeth.
- Bonded Retainer – A thin, fixed wire that is temporarily bonded to the lingual (tongue) side of the anterior teeth.
Our team of doctors will provide you or your child with the retainer option that is best suited for your orthodontic treatment plan. The retainer should be worn as often as instructed. You or your child’s teeth have been in active treatment for months or even years, wearing a retainer is crucial for ensuring that you or your child’s teeth do not shift back out of their corrected positions.
When it is not in you or your child’s mouth, keep your retainer in its case. Bacteria can build up on your retainer, making it less hygienic and affecting the fit. Regular cleaning to remove these bacteria is a vital part of proper retainer care.
To clean you or your child’s retainer, brush it gently with a wet toothbrush. Disinfect the retainer by soaking it in a cleansing solution. Thoroughly rinse the appliance with cold or room temperature water before placing it back in you or your child’s mouth. Hot water can cause the retainer to lose its proper shape, so should be avoided.
For more information about proper care and use of you or your child’s retainer, contact our office.
