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Retainers are designed to keep your teeth in place after orthodontic treatment and can either be removable or fixed to the teeth.
Removable retainers are of two types; the most popular is the Vacuum Moulded Retainer (VMR), which is made of clear plastic and is virtually invisible when worn. Some patients are advised to have a ‘Hawley’ type retainer, which has a plastic plate with wires attached. We can advise you on which type of retainer is suitable in your particular situation.
Fixed retainers consist of a fine wire fixed to the back of your teeth. These are not visible and do not need to be removed, but are not usually available as part of NHS treatment.
Teeth have a ‘long memory’ and will tend to move back to their original position if retainers are not worn. Look after your great new smile by wearing your retainers, it will be worth it!
How long will I have to wear my retainers?
This will vary according to how your teeth originally looked before you had your braces. As a general rule you will be advised to wear your retainers 24 hours a day for a short period of time. You will then proceed to wear your retainers at night time only. It is generally accepted that in order to minimise any relapse, that you gradually decrease your retainer wear until you are wearing them for a few nights per week and that this should be done indefinitely. The reason for this is the fact that throughout your life, your teeth are under changing pressures and therefore forever undergoing minor movements.
How might the retainer affect me?
It does not take long to get used to wearing your retainers. Generally people will notice that for a few days speech is affected and also that there is an increased amount of saliva in the mouth. These effects are minimal and short lived.
If you have a fixed retainer then you will have to take extra care to keep it clean.
Can I eat normally?
You will usually be advised to take your retainers out to eat and to store them in a safe place. You should take care to avoid eating sugary foods, fizzy drinks and excessive amounts of fruit juice. It is advisable to clean your teeth and retainers following a meal.
How often will I need an appointment now that I am wearing retainers?
You will not need to be seen so often. We will contact you to arrange any check up appointments.
What do I do if I have a problem with my retainers?
Phone for an appointment as soon as possible. Do not wait for your next routine appointment as your teeth may move whilst not wearing your retainers.
A daily fluoride mouth rinse should be used last thing at night, after tooth brushing. Failure to keep your teeth and brace clean will lead to permanent scarring of your teeth.
What do I do if I play contact sports?
You are advised to remove your retainers for contact sports and swimming and to keep them in a safe place. For contact sports you should obtain a mouth-guard in order to minimise the risk of damaging your teeth. Your orthodontist can arrange for you to have a custom fitting mouth-guard made.
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