Aftercare and long term maintenance
Following completion of orthodontic treatment long term aftercare is of great importance in maintaining the position of your teeth and your treatment outcome. The reason for this is as human bodies are continually changing as we age and move through life. As a result is possible that the position of teeth may change slowly over time. Therefore as with many aspects of our bodies your teeth and bite require maintenance over the long term. Following orthodontic treatment this maintenance is undertaken with use of retainers.
What to expect with removable retainers
Your removable retainers will feel unfamiliar at first and usually will take one or two days to get used to. You may notice more saliva than usual in your mouth when first wearing your retainers, this will return to normal within one or two days. You may find that your speech, particularly with regard to ‘S’ sounds, might be altered slightly when first wearing your retainers. This returns to normal quite quickly with practice of speaking as you get used to your retainers. Retainers will feel quite ‘tight’ when first worn and may consequently be a slight challenge to remove when first worn. After a few days of wear however retainers will feel less tight and will become easier to fit and remove.
Retainer care and hours of wear
It is important to wear your removable retainers regularly to ensure that no movement of your teeth or bite takes place. Retainers should be worn for approximately 6-8 hours in every 24 hour period. For most people this will be at night time whilst sleeping. Retainers should be removed carefully by applying pressure to the edge of the retainer towards the back of your mouth at both sides (so as to prevent flexing of the retainer which can increase the risk of retainer fracture over time). When retainers are not being worn they should be kept in your retainer box for safe keeping.
Brushing and hygiene with retainers
Oral hygiene when wearing removable retainers is very important. The primary way of cleaning your removable retainers is by placing them under cold running water and brushing them using a toothbrush (either manual or electric). It is better not to use toothpaste to clean your retainers as toothpaste is mildly abrasive (please still continue to use toothpaste to clean your teeth). Soap can be used as an alternative and retainer cleaning crystals, which can be purchased at reception or online, can also be used.
Breakages or loss of retainers
You have been supplied with two sets of removable retainers, one primary set to wear and one set as a space which should be kept in a safe place separate from your primary set of retainers. One might expect a pair of retainers when well maintained and cared for and inserted and removed with care to last on average between one and three years before requiring replacement. This however is quite dependant on the individual and is influenced by quite a number of parameters, for example, one's hours of wear, ongoing care and cleaning, method of insertion and removal and whether any subconscious parafunctional habits exist where one might clench or grind teeth whilst wearing retainers either during the day or at night time. Any future replacement of retainers shall incur a charge. This fee is not for profitable gain but rather to cover the material and labour costs involved in constructing what is an individually manufactured fully customised medical device regulations approved appliance. The typical cost for a replacement is £150 per retainer for removable vacuum formed retainers or £275 per retainer for fixed bonded retainers. In cases when patients are found to require replacement retainers more frequently than this (usually in cases where one has a nocturnal clenching/grinding habit) then an alternative such as a thicker retainer or bite guard may need to be considered.
Follow up appointments after orthodontic treatment
After completion of orthodontic treatment you will have two review appointments at approximately 6 monthly intervals. Please bring your retainers with you to these appointments. After one year regular review appointments with Dr. O’ Connor are not required as your general dental practitioner is well positioned to review your retainers during your routine dental check-up appointments in the long term. Previous orthodontic patients are always welcome to re-attend the orthodontic clinic at any time in the future however, it is a pleasure to follow up patients in the long term.
In summary, your teeth, as with any part of your body, require care and maintenance to retain your orthodontic result. To this end it is important to wear your retainers regularly (as described above) and look after them diligently. If you are to lose your retainer or any other problems occur then please contact get in contact as soon as possible for advice and/or replacement of your retainers.