WHEN YOU ARE READY TO HAVE YOUR BRACES REMOVED...

You are nearing the end of your treatment and today you will begin wearing finishing elastics full time. Take them out at mealtimes only and when you brush your teeth. Change them twice a day. We will see you again in one week to check your progress.

If all goes well, we will remove your braces in two weeks and give you upper and lower retainers. IF YOU DO NOT WEAR YOUR RETAINERS, YOUR TEETH WILL MOVE AND YOU MAY NEED TO WEAR BRACES AGAIN. THERE WILL BE A CHARGE FOR WEARING BRACES AGAIN.

After you receive your retainers, you will be seen again in 6 weeks. Then we will see you 4 months later for a retention check. It is your responsibility to keep these appointments. If you do not respond to our recall cards, we will not pursue you for a retention appointment. REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT YOUR TEETH TO STAY STRAIGHT YOU MUST WEAR YOUR RETAINERS AS DIRECTED.

After you receive your retainers, we will see you for one year at no additional fee (except for lost or broken retainers). Thereafter there will be a per visit fee.

Retainers: Why and How Long

Retention is the most important phase of orthodontic treatment. Because of the position of your teeth before treatment and the movement necessary to align them, it is important to maintain their corrected positions indefinitely. Once the braces are off it is your responsibility to keep your teeth straight.

The University of Washington Department of Orthodontics, a very respected school of orthodontics, advocates, as a result of long-term research, permanent retention to insure long-term alignment of teeth.

If the teeth move during retention because the removable holding appliances were not worn as instructed (the only reason they would move), then there will be an additional treatment charge to re-align the teeth. If there are ever any questions, please call the office immediately. REMEMBER: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN YOUR STRAIGHT TEETH!

Removable Invisible Retainers

Proper holding appliance wear is extremely important for long-term stability of the orthodontic treatment result. If for any reason a holding appliance cannot be worn as instructed, please call the office for an appointment so the problem can be corrected.

THE REMOVABLE HOLDING APPLIANCES ARE NOT WORN WHILE EATING BECAUSE THE PLASTIC CAN DISCOLOR AND BREAK.

When the teeth are brushed the removable holding appliances should be removed and also brushed to keep them clean. Toothpaste can be used. The holding appliances can also be soaked in denture cleanser. It also has been found that brushing with table salt is very good in maintaining the cleanliness and clearness of the holding appliances.

Care must be taken when the holding appliances are out of the mouth to insure they are not lost or broken. The best place to put a holding appliance when it is out of the mouth and you are not at home is in the case provided. When you are home, holding appliances are best stored in the bathroom out of the reach of animals (for some reason dogs love to chew up holding appliances).

Do not forget to wear your holding appliances. The smile you save is your own.

The treatment fee includes 1 set of active retainers or 2 sets of invisible retainers. Any additional sets that are necessary result in an additional charge. The charge for lost or broken retainers is $250 each. If the teeth move due to improper holding appliance wear, we will be very happy to re-align the teeth, however, THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR THAT TREATMENT.

When to See Your Dentist After Your Braces Have Been Removed

Now that your appliances are removed, please schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible for a post-orthodontic treatment exam.

When you visit your dentist for a post-orthodontic treatment exam, we would appreciate it if you relay your positive experience in our office to your dentist because it would be a help in our professional relationship.

Phase One Retention

After we have completed the First Phase of treatment, it may be necessary to place retainers to hold the corrected result until the remaining permanent teeth erupt.

If this be the case:

A. You may be given an invisible retainer to be worn until you receive active retainers.

B. You may be given an upper active retainer shortly after the braces are removed and a fixed retainer in the lower jaw. This lower retainer consists of two braces on back teeth with a wire that fits behind all the lower front teeth.

C. You may be given both upper and lower active retainers.

D. You may be given a Frankel as both retainer and continuous treatment device.

These retainers are to be worn until all the permanent teeth are in. If you lose or break your retainers, there is a $250 charge for each. The fee for a new Frankel is $800.

Fixed Retainers