The retention phase of treatment is critical to our overall goals. This is the time when braces are removed and the patient is placed in retainers. Stability is a major key to our long-term success in providing a beautiful smile and optimal health of the chewing system. Without stability, teeth will usually relapse at some point in the future. Thus, at Dr. Vincent’s office we make sure the patient is aware of the need for proper retention and how to avoid the need for retreatment in the future. Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful and healthy smile for a lifetime.

• Wear your retainers full time, unless the doctor instructs otherwise.
• Take your retainers out when eating, and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
• Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get adjusted to them faster.
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us for a replacement.
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, give us a call. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
• Retainer replacement is expensive; with proper care they will last for years!
• Remove retainers when swimming.
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.