Retainers
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Retention is an extremely important part of your orthodontic treatment. Without correct and consistent wear of the retainer appliances your teeth can start to move back to where they came from and ruin your beautiful smile.
This is a thin chain of white gold fixed permanently behind the upper and/or lower teeth to prevent relapse. These retainers are kept in place indefinitely, oral hygiene permitting.
There are various options including clear retainers and retainers with an acrylic palate and wire clips. These retainers are worn full time initially then at bedtime for as long as possible.
We believe retainers are for life. But they do break, they occasionally need adjusting and they can get lost. Don’t worry – we’ve seen and heard it all where retainers are concerned. And we’ll work with you to find a quick and easy solution!
Please call us immediately so we can get to work on a replacement. Retainers are custom-made for you and your mouth and new impressions are required. And they are the very best way to protect your brand new smile. Take immediate action – the quicker you see your orthodontist the better!
We often bond or attach a thin wire behind some front teeth as a ‘permanent’ fixed retainer. This requires special cleaning as it can collect food and plaque. The fixed retainer can break and you might not notice until the teeth have already shifted. Therefore it is important to contact us if you are worried that the wire is broken or that your teeth have moved. Wearing your removable retainer over the fixed retainer ensures that your teeth don’t move. Call us immediately so we can repair it.
We ask that you wear your retainer 24 hours a day, (except when eating or brushing your teeth) for the first 3-6 months after your braces are removed. We review you for a year following the removal of your braces. After the end of this first year we would gladly see you for a yearly retainer check appointment (nominal fee applies). Call us now to make an appointment
We are aware that there may be some changes in your tooth position if retainers are not worn as directed or as retainer wear is diminished over time. The positions and fit of teeth change throughout your life – it’s a normal part of the ageing process. Our goal is to limit these changes by encouraging the long-term use of retainers. Talk to us if you want to find out more.
Spread the cost of any treatment
We are here to help you achieve the perfect – and affordable – smile so please talk to us about our popular interest-free payment plans. Spread the cost and relax – secure in the knowledge that your treatment will take place on time and on budget.