Welcome to the orthodontic practice of Dr. Diane Doppel. Serving Seattle, WA (Washington) and the surrounding greater Puget Sound area- Dr. Diane Doppel is your orthodontic specialist, offering Invisalign® and In-ovation® braces for children, teens, and adults.
Retention
Removing braces signals the start of the retention and observation period of your orthodontic care. Please remember that this part of your orthodontic treatment is just as important as the active movement phase in determining the ultimate success of your treatment. Once the teeth have been moved into their desired positions, a period of time is needed to stabilize the teeth so that the surrounding bone and soft tissues can conform to your new dental alignment. Your gums may be swollen, but they will return to normal with proper brushing and flossing. When braces are removed, it is a good time to review several important aspects of care.
How long are retainers worn?
The final observation and retention period of treatment normally spans two years. During this period, appointments are scheduled less and less frequently. In general, it is recommended that the retainers be worn twelve hours per day for the first four months after the braces are removed. This is followed by wear for eight hours per day (at night only) thereafter. Teeth are dynamic. The position and fit of teeth generally change throughout your life, with or without orthodontic treatment. The tongue and lip pressures, as well as grinding and clenching, tend to move teeth. Because of these factors, much of the stability depends on your situation. The lower front teeth are one of the most unstable areas. Each person's requirements differ and a longer time frame or a different schedule may be recommended.
Retainer instructions
- Wear your retainers as the doctor instructs.
- Take your retainers out when eating. Keeping the retainer either in the mouth or in the retainer case will avoid loss or breakage that would lead to extra expense for replacement. Do not wrap them in tissues, napkins, etc. They will be inadvertently thrown away.
- Do not let your pet wear your retainer! Dogs love them. If your retainer is not in its case, it should be in your mouth.
- Keep your retainer clean. Brush it with cool water and toothpaste. Soaking it in a denture cleanser will keep it fresh. Never place your retainer in hot water as it will become distorted and require replacement. If a brush is not available after eating, rinse off your retainer and place it back in your mouth or in its case.
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so handle them with care. Do not put it in your pocket. If your retainer is lost or broken, call our office. Although there is a charge for replacement or repair, it's a relatively inexpensive way to protect the investment you have made in your orthodontic care. Think of it as an insurance policy.
- Do not try to adjust your retainer yourself.
- Always bring your retainer to your appointment.
- Remove retainers while swimming.
- Keep them away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine and napkins.
A word about final records
We will be making a set of x-rays, photographs and models of your teeth soon after active treatment is completed. These will be used to evaluate your treatment, plan the retention period and evaluate space for your wisdom teeth if present. They also give us a record of your teeth's positions at the time of appliance removal. If there is some movement later on, that record will be a valuable tool in determining what approach to take to correct the problem. We will provide you with a before and after photo so you can compare the old and the new you.