On the day you have your braces removed, you begin an important phase of your orthodontic treatment - RETENTION! Over the past months, your teeth have moved a considerable distance. Retainers are carefully designed to hold your teeth in their new positions until they are stable. Active retention lasts at least two years, with indefinite nighttime retention ideal. Retention is an essential part of your treatment!
You will receive two sets of retainers as a part of your retention phase. On the day of deband, you will receive a clear, Invisalign-type retainer that should be worn full time. These clear retainers are temporary, as they are not durable enough to last indefinitely.
After a few weeks, you will receive Hawley retainers, which are the more traditional retainers with wires and acrylic. These retainers will be worn indefinitely at night.
Sometimes, we may choose to place a bonded lingual retainer on the back of your lower front teeth. A bonded retainer is a nice alternative to a removable retainer because it is permanently attached to your teeth so you can't lose it! However, home care must be ideal to ensure that the bonded retainer is kept clean.
