Retainers in Puyallup & Bonney Lake | Orthodontic Excellence

Retainers

Retainer Instructions

There are several types of retainers, and they serve different purposes depending on what our patients need. On this page you will find information on the following types of treatments with retainers:

  • Active Retainers
  • Retainers After Full Treatment
  • Phase 1 Retainers

Important Notice for All Retainers

  • Never clean retainers with hot water, as excessive heat can warp and distort the plastic.
  • Do not eat or drink anything other than water while wearing your retainers.
  • When brushing your teeth, brush your retainers in cold water and mouth wash to keep them smelling fresh.
  • You can clean clear retainers with an appliance cleaner once a week to prevent odor.Do not boil or put your retainers in the dishwasher to “sterilize” them (they will get ruined and/or distorted).
  • Call our office immediately if your retainer(s) become loose, too tight, broken, and of course, lost.
  • Do not wrap your retainers in a napkin! You will lose them! Always keep the retainer in the case provided to you.
  • Keep your retainers away from pets!

Active Retainer Instructions

You have been prescribed active retainers for one of many reasons. Whether this be to finish up your active treatment, re-treat a tooth that has moved or maybe you just needed a tiny bit of treatment and our doctors felt this was the best route to go, either way, the instructions stay the same! Active retainers are to be worn 24 hours per day until the doctors advise differently. You will wear the active aligners for one week each until you are finished with the sequence and at this time you will be seen for an appointment.

Retainer Placement
To place your retainers, position it into your mouth only using your fingers. Never use your tongue or teeth to flip or bite them into place. Failure to properly insert your retainers could lead to warping, distortion, and even breakage. Remove retainers and place in its case during all sports and activities, including swimming.

Passive Retention
If the doctors feel that your teeth are where they have anticipated them to be, we will go into the passive retention phase where we would recommend a final retainer (your last one in your sequence) and/or a lower permanent retainer and instruct you for stabilization.

Important Things to Remember

  • Please avoid any restorative dental work while in the active retention phase.
  • A fee may be assessed if retainers are lost or broken due to negligence.

Retainers After Full Treatment

Now that your treatment is finished, in order to ensure your results you will be given retainers. Please keep the 3D Printed Model we have provided in a safe, secure place in case a replacement retainer is ever needed. Retainers are the only way to maintain your teeth in this ideal position, wearing them is as important as the active part of treatment!

Typical Schedule for Retainer Wear:
Upper: Full time for one week and nightly wear for life after that
Lower: Permanent retainer if applicable, if removable, wear nightly

***Retainer instruction may vary per patient, please follow instruction given by doctor/assistant***

Please Observe the Following Recommendations:

  • Call our office immediately if your retainer(s) become loose, too tight, broken, and of course, lost.
  • Do not wrap your retainers in a napkin! You will lose them! Always keep the retainer in the case provided to you.
  • Keep your retainers away from pets!  
  • When brushing your teeth, brush your retainers in cold water and toothpaste to keep them smelling fresh.
  • Do not eat or drink anything other than water while wearing your retainers
  • Do not boil or put your retainers in the dishwasher to “sterilize” them (they will get ruined and/or distorted).
  • Wear your removable retainer every night for at least 2 years. After the 2 year period, you can go to wearing the retainer 2-3 nights a week to ensure keeping the perfect final result.
  • Bring your retainers to all appointments from this point on. If you do not bring your retainers with you, we may have to reschedule.  

Phase 1 Retainer Instructions

Now that your treatment is finished, in order to ensure your results, you will be given a 3D Printed Model of your teeth along with one clear Essix retainer and one Interphase retainer made with a thicker, colorful material. Please keep the 3D Printed Model in a safe, secure place in case a replacement retainer is ever needed. Retainers are the only way to maintain your teeth in this ideal position, wearing them is as important as the active part of treatment!

Your Schedule for Retainer Wear:
Upper: Full time with a clear retainer for one week, nightly use of Interphase retainer until Phase II.
Lower: Permanent retainer.
***Retainer instruction may vary per patient, please follow instruction given by doctor/assistant***

Important Things to Remember

  • Please have your child wear the colorful Interphase retainer at home only. Do not let them take it to school.
  • For the first week after removing the braces, the clear retainer will be worn full-time, if you are comfortable having your child wear it to school, that is great.
  • If not, please have them put the clear retainer in directly after school until they switch to the Interphase at night time.
  • Bring your retainers to all appointments from this point on. If you do not bring your retainers with you, we may have to reschedule.
  • If active retainers are needed due to relapse, there will be additional charges determined by the doctors based on the movement needed.

 

Replacing Lost or Broken Retainers:

  • With 3D Printed Model: $100 per replacement retainer per arch               
  • Without 3D Printed Model: $300 per arch

ALL FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY THE CURRENT FEE

Long-term retention can go a long way to help ensure many years of successful results!

***IF YOU LOSE OR BREAK ANY OF YOUR RETAINERS, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!***

Office Hours

Monday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM*
Tuesday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM
Wednesday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM
Thursday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM
Friday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM*
*Alternating Every Other Monday/Friday*

Office Hours

Monday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM*
Tuesday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM
Wednesday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM
Thursday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM
Friday 7:10 AM – 5:10 PM*
*Alternating Every Other Monday/Friday*