All about Retainers

What are Essix retainers?

The Essix retainer is a state of the art retainer which is replacing the 70 year-old Hawley retainer (plastic with wire across the front teeth). The Essix retainer had been prescribed in your individual case based on pre and post treatment tooth positions.

Advantages of Essix retainers:

• Virtually invisible
• Removable
• Less interference with speech
• Esthetically superior
• Ease of cleaning
• Minimal bulk
• Night time wear only
• 3-dimensional control of teeth

Congratulations! Your smile looks terrific! To ensure it stays that way, follow these simple instructions because retainers will keep your teeth in the proper position. Teeth will move throughout your lifetime, but wearing the retainers can limit this movement. Remember, the more you wear the retainers, the sooner you will get used to them.

Caring for your retainers:

There are two places for your retainers

1. YOUR MOUTH
2. Your retainer case – If you do not have your case, do not take the retainer out of your mouth. Never wrap retainers in a napkin, you may forget it’s there and it will be tossed in a trash bin. Do not put retainers in your pocket without being in the case.

Retainers are sensitive to heat

Do not leave in the car or on top of a stereo or television

Do not clean with hot water, use cool water. Retainers will withstand heat from food and drinks while in your mouth.

Pets love retainers. If you have a pet, especially a dog, keep retainers and cases in a drawer where pets cannot reach.

Do not get in the habit of flipping your retainers with your tongue.

Cleaning your retainers:

Thoroughly rinse retainers with cool tap water as soon as you remove from your mouth. You may also want to soak in mouthwash. Using a denture cleanser occasionally works great, do not use hot water. Do not use a toothbrush or toothpaste; this will scratch your Essix retainers!

Retainers must be worn for two days full time and then at least every night.

If for some reason you can not wear your retainer, or break it, call the office immediately. Do not wait until your scheduled appointment.

**BRING YOUR RETAINERS TO ALL OF YOUR APPOINTMENTS**

Color Your Retainer