- Wear your retainers every day for 20–21 hours unless Dr. Youngker specifies otherwise.
It is normal for you to have spaces in the back teeth where the posterior bands were at. This should close as the retainers are worn. If they don’t, we can adjust the retainers at subsequent appointments, or make you a different type of retainer after you have worn the clears to stabilize your front teeth. - Replacement retainers are $200 each for clear retainers.
- Do not eat or drink with clear retainers in.
- Soak retainers 2–3 times weekly with Efferdent® and Polident®.
Try to always brush your teeth before wearing your retainers, and brush your retainers before you put them up. - Please keep your retainers in the case provided.
Keep your retainers out of reach of children, pets, and heat. - If you have dental work done (fillings, crowns, or bonding), take your retainers with you to make sure they fit all the way down afterward. They will need to be remade right away if they do not fit all the way. After 2 years, there will be a charge of $200 each for new retainers after dental work. If this is not done, your teeth will shift and/or space.
- Absolutely do not quit wearing your retainers for more than 24 hours after having your wisdom teeth removed. If you have any concerns, please contact Dr. Youngker’s office.
- Always bring your retainers to all retainer check-up appointments.
- The retainers could need replacing every 3–5 years. Please be sure to replace them as needed. Continued periodic retainer wear is necessary for straight teeth. Discontinuing the retainer will result in some degree of relapse.
- Immediately call the office if either or both of your retainers are lost or broken.
Replacement is important to ensure stability and avoid relapse. Do not procrastinate or wait. - Please keep all retainer recall appointments. We cannot be responsible for your final result if you do not keep these retainer check appointments. You may end up needing new treatment or new retainers, which would be at your expense.
- The preceding rules are easy and simple. Orthodontic treatment was a long and important commitment. Do not let a relapse occur through casual neglect or missed appointments.
