Retainers
In many instances following removal of the braces, you will have options about what type of retainer you would like to wear. The most typical types of retention are listed below. Click here for more information on why retainers are needed after orthodontic treatment.
When Early Treatment is provided to a pre-adolescent child who does not yet have all the permanent teeth, the Retainer typically used is a Nightguide or Occlusoguide.
The Nightguide functions in two important ways. First, it keeps the front teeth that have already been aligned with partial braces in place. This is called Retention. Secondly, as it is worn, it helps guide the newly developing permanant teeth into the right position.This is called Eruption Guidance. It is critical that patients comply with Dr. Cash's instructions for wearing the Nightguide during this stage of development.
In some cases at the end of Early Treatment, Dr. Cash may prefer a Hawley type retainers. Different colors and designs may be chosen for this type of retainer.
Once full braces are removed, Retention begins. The retention period is an important part of your overall treatment and should not be neglected! Retainers are used to hold your teeth in their new positions until your bone, gums, and muscles adapt to the new teeth positions. You must wear your retainer as instructed, otherwise your teeth may move toward their original positions and the benefit of wearing your braces will be lost. Normally when we first place your retainers, they should be worn 24 hours a day for the first week. After that, they can be worn just at night time while sleeping.
Dr. Cash recommends that you continue to wear your retainers for as long as you want your teeth to be straight --- hopefully this is forever! This doesn't mean every moment of every day, but at least several nights a week while sleeping. See our FAQ, "Will my tooth alignment change as I get older?"
Retainer Color Picker
For a brief overview of the different colors of retainers, please click on the image below. It will launch our flash module in a separate window that may answer some of your questions about different colors of retainers.
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Remember, wear them in your mouth, not in your pocket. Retainers work when you follow our instructions.
Clean your retainers! After meals, clean all parts of the retainer with a brush.
Handle your retainers with care. Retainers are easy to lose. If you take your retainers out, always place them in your retainer case for safety. More information on caring for your retainers.