Orthodontic Retention Treatment

At Hoybjerg Family Orthodontics, we offer a variety of treatment options to help make orthodontics convenient for your lifestyle; bet whether you choose treatment with braces or Invisalign, you’ll need to wear a retainer after the active phase of your treatment. We’ll provide detailed instructions on wearing and caring for your retainer when we fit you for it, but here are some basic guidelines and instructions for your retention treatment.

Why Do I Need a Retainer?

All patients need retention treatment after the active phase of your orthodontic treatment, and the reason has to do with the physiology of your smile. When you finish treatment with braces or Invisalign, your teeth will have moved to new positions, but the underlying ligaments and tissues that support them will not have adapted to those new positions. This means that without a retainer, your teeth will simply drift back to their old positions, erasing your hard work! With proper wear and care, a retainer will help to “set” your teeth in place, safeguarding your smile for a lifetime.

Instructions for Wearing Your Retainer

We’ll provide more detailed instructions on how to wear and care for your retainer during your fitting appointment, but here are some guidelines on properly using your retainer:

  • Follow our guidelines and schedules for wearing your retainer until Dr. Hoybjerg instructs you to scale down your use.
  • Anytime you remove your retainer, store it safely in its case. The most common reason for losing a retainer is leaving it in a school lunchroom or restaurant, so the best way to protect against this is to ensure your retainer is only ever in one of two places: your mouth or its case.
  • Clean your retainer daily, using toothpaste, a toothbrush, and warm water.
  • You may notice some difficulty speaking when you first start wearing your retainer, but this will fade with time and practice.
  • Retainers are fragile, so keep a protective watch over yours. If your retainer is lost or damaged, contact us right away to get a replacement.
  • Never try to adjust your retainer on your own. Instead, call us with questions or to schedule a repair appointment.
  • Bring your retainer with you to all of your checkup appointments.
  • Remove your retainer if you go swimming.
  • Don’t expose your retainer to high temperatures like hot water, hot car dashboards, or washing machines – this can warp your retainer.
  • With proper care, your retainer will last for years and keep your smile healthy for a lifetime!

Contact Your El Dorado Hills & Sacramento Orthodontist

With proper usage, your retainer will help cement the new alignment of your teeth, ensuring you get to enjoy your new smile for a lifetime. Feel free to contact us if you have more questions about retainers, or if you’re interested in pursuing orthodontic treatment for yourself, simply request a consultation online. We look forward to hearing from you, and we’re excited to help you achieve a beautiful new smile!