Download Hawley and Bonded Retainer

N64 W24050 Main St., Suite 200
Sussex, WI 53089
(262) 820-0825
ADVANCED ORTHODONTICS
Thank you for choosing our office.
RETAINERS
The retention phase of your orthodontic treatment starts the day you receive your new retainers. Your retainers hold
your teeth in their new positions as your bite settles and as your lips, cheeks, tongue, gum tissue, and root ligaments
become used to your new bite. Remember, your teeth have been artificially held by the braces during your treatment
and it takes awhile for your mouth to become accustomed to the corrected bite with the braces off. Without retainers,
the teeth will move in the direction of their original positions. So, please follow our instructions carefully. If the retainers
are not worn properly and the orthodontic results are lost, a fee will be charged to re-treat teeth which have moved.
1. Types of Retainers
Retainers are either removable or fixed to the teeth. The most common type of removable retainer is the Hawley
retainer, which is made of plastic and has a wire that extends across the front teeth.
Another type of retainer is a fixed, lingual retainer. This retainer is cemented directly behind the front six teeth. The
fixed retainer is worn for several years, after which we may suggest replacement with a removable Hawley retainer
for continued retention. There will be a charge to replace a fixed retainer with a removable one.
2. Time
The length of time the teeth must be retained varies with the severity of each individual case. To help your teeth
and bone stabilize, you will be asked to wear your retainers full time for twelve months. Following this time period,
the doctor will have you gradually reduce wearing time to nights only. Retainer wear is further reduced as the
stability of the teeth increases.
3. Proper Cleaning
Here are some ways to keep your retainers fresh and clean: scrub your removable retainer with your toothbrush and
toothpaste each time you brush your teeth. Do not use hot water as excessive heat may warp the plastic portion of
the retainer. Once a week you can soak your retainer in a denture cleaner or a mouthwash to “freshen” it.
4. Care of Your Retainers
It is our experience that retainers do not break under normal use and certainly cannot be lost while in the mouth.
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Always place the retainer in the retainer case when it is not in your mouth; do not put it in your pocket.
The retainer may be removed when eating or playing active sports.
Do not wrap your retainer in a napkin; this increases your chances of accidentally losing it after a meal.
Retainers will warp when exposed to excessive heat (boiling water, microwave, direct sunlight).
Dogs love to eat retainers; please keep retainers away from all pets.
If you have a fixed retainer, be careful when eating hard or chewy foods which can dislodge or bend the
retainer.
Please note: your first retainer is included with your treatment. Also included is 24 months of retainer
supervision. There will be an office charge for each visit after this period of time. There will also be a charge for
replacement of lost or broken retainers.
If you break or lose your retainer and still have your temporary retainer, please wear the temporary retainer again
until you get a new retainer.
5. Finally
Visiting your general dentist is very important once your braces have been removed. Your dentist needs to check for
cavities and thoroughly clean your teeth at least once a year.