Retention

In order to determine that you have achieved a truly healthy and stable bite through orthodontics, you must return to our office periodically until you are formally discharged. This is important because teeth are unstable when braces are removed. For this reason, we try to prevent undesirable change through retention.

Retention is the phase of orthodontic treatment that attempts to keep teeth in the corrected positions after orthodontic correction. Without a phase of retention, there is a tendency for the teeth to relapse. In order to prevent relapse, almost every patient who has orthodontic treatment will require retainers.

When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts, on average, 18-24 months. Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainers and, more importantly, if you are wearing them as instructed.

It takes months for the ligaments and bone to adapt to the new position of your teeth and keep them in place. A retainer helps keep teeth in their proper new positions. It's important to wear the retainer exactly as your orthodontist recommends. Otherwise, your teeth may shift due to the influences placed upon them by your lips, cheeks and tongue.

Remember to remove your retainer before brushing, and brush your retainer before placing it back in your mouth.

After you have completed the approximate 18-24 month retention period, a formal discharge appointment will be scheduled. At this appointment, your orthodontist will check your bite. He wants to be sure that you have the most stable, functional and aesthetically correct bite you can have.

The office staff may also take a panorex x-ray to determine the existence and positions of any unerupted teeth, such as your wisdom teeth. You will be advised before you are discharged if these teeth are present and if there is any recommended treatment. We will advise your general dentist of our findings, as well.

Even if you are formally discharged from our office when your full treatment has been accomplished, it doesn’t mean we won’t want to see you if you have future problems. You can always come back to see us, no matter how big or small the problem is. You have made an investment in your smile, and we want to help you keep it stable and healthy for a lifetime!