When we remove your braces, we will begin the retention stage of your treatment. The retention phase lasts for a minimum of 24 months in our office. However it is important to remember your teeth will only stay straight for as long as you wear your retainers! Your final orthodontic result depends on your retainer wear, so follow through with the hard work you’ve put in so far.
· It is very important that the retainers are worn 12-14 hours a day, starting after dinner and through the night for the first year or until the doctor has told you otherwise.
· The teeth are more likely to shift during the first year after the braces have been removed; this is why it is very important that the retainers are worn every night.
· At the final retainer check Dr. Goodnight will decide how often you will be wearing your retainers.
· To clean your retainers, rinse and brush your retainers with water and a toothbrush every time you take the retainers out, do not use toothpaste on them. If you want to clean them with something you may use a dish soap. You can also use a denture cleaner every two weeks.