Wearing Your Retainer

There’s nothing quite like the joy you feel when you finally get your braces removed after months or even years of treatment. You are amazed by how straight your teeth look and may feel the need to show off your smile as much as possible – but there’s no reason feel shy! We want you to feel confident in the way that your smile looks, which is why our goal at Dr. Carole Randolph’s office is to give you a smile you’ve always wanted. Even after you complete your orthodontic treatment with us, our Valencia orthodontist may discuss with you the importance of retention. No matter how straight your teeth are, if you don’t consistently wear your retainers, there’s a very high possibility that your teeth may shift.

What Do Retainers Do?

After your braces are removed, your retainers are an important part of maintaining the beauty of your new smile. A retainer is a custom-made appliance that is designed to hold your teeth in place to minimize movement. Depending on your needs and preferences, our orthodontist may provide you with a few options for post-orthodontic treatment – removable or fixed retainers. Fixed retainers are cemented to the backs of your teeth whereas removable retainers can easily slide out of your mouth when you need to eat or brush your teeth. The most common type of removable retainers that you’ve probably seen is Hawley retainers.

How Long Do I Need To Wear Retainers?

There’s really no set amount of time that you are required to wear retainers since they are meant to provide maintenance. Typically, Dr. Randolph will determine the length of time the retainer is worn for after your braces are removed to ensure that there are no significant movements. After that, you may be instructed to wear them only at night. It’s important to follow these instructions, otherwise, your retainers may no longer fit and it may be difficult to get another appliance custom made. In a more severe case, our Valencia orthodontist may recommend redoing your orthodontic treatment by having you wear braces again.

Contact Dr. Carole Randolph For An Appointment!

If you misplace or damage your retainer, please contact our Valencia office today to get them replaced as soon as possible. Dr. Carole Randolph and her staff strive to provide you with high-quality orthodontic care to give you a smile that will last a lifetime. Please feel free to give us a call at (661) 222-3000 or schedule your free consultation online.

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