Post Treatment
When treatment is over
Everyone looks forward to the big day when the braces come off! It is the end of a lengthy commitment, and the culmination of all the effort invested by both the patient and the orthodontist.
The final phase may last from 3 weeks to 6 months, and usually includes using rubber bands to help teeth and jaws achieve maximum fit. It is a crucial time when final adjustments determine ideal results and when attention to detail achieves your perfect smile and most comfortable bite.
At your final appointment, a hygienist will remove the braces, polish tooth surfaces where the braces were attached, and make impressions for retainers, take photos and one final x-ray.
You will leave the office with an appointment to return in a week to receive your retainer and you will do so with a big, bright, beautiful new smile!
The retainer phase is simpler but every bit as important as the active treatment phase. The retainer is designed to prevent unwanted tooth movement and is custom fitted for your comfort.
To guide your progress, our office will determine how you should wear it, how often and for how long. You will come back and be examined from time to time to make sure all is going well. All you have to do is follow some simple rules.
Here are the types of retainers Dr. Kadar provides for his patients:
Most patients can wear a clear retainer. Designed to fit directly over teeth, it resembles a thin version of the moldable mouth guard, and is invisible to everyone but you. The retainer must be worn 24 hours a day for the first 14 days. After the full-time period is over, you’ll need to wear your retainer every night for about 10-12 hours, or until instructed otherwise by Dr. Kadar.
You’ll receive 2 sets of clear retainers. One is for daytime, and the other is for nighttime wear.
Caring for your clear retainer:
- Wear as directed, except when eating or brushing your teeth
- Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and as a result, won’t fit as well.
- Clean each night with a toothbrush and liquid soap – DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE WHICH CAN DULL THE SHINE! Baking soda or a denture cleaner will treat tougher stains.
- Bring with you to every appointment, so we can see if they’re still fitting properly.
- Keep your models in a safe place! They’re needed to make replacement retainers, and may eliminate the need to make a new impression.
- Don’t drink sugary liquids while wearing clear retainers. The sugar won’t wash away, and it can cause tooth discoloration and decay!
- If a sore develops from a rough spot on the retainer, smooth it with a new nail file.
The Active Clear Retainer (ACR) moves your teeth into a better, more attractive position. To be effective, it must be worn and taken care of as directed by Dr. Kadar.
Your teeth will feel sore for about 3 days. This is a sign that they’re beginning to become your new and brighter smile. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate any discomfort.
Caring for your ACR:
- Brush or rinse your retainer daily. A denture cleaner (such as Efferdent) can be used once a week. DO NOT USE TOOTHPASTE WHICH CAN DULL THE SHINE
- If a sore develops from a rough spot on the retainer, smooth it with a new nail file.
- Don’t drink sugary liquids while wearing active retainers. The sugar won’t wash away, and it can cause tooth discoloration and decay!
- Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and as a result, won’t fit as well.
- Keep your ACR away from pets - they love them even more than you do!
- Bring your ACR with you to each visit.
- Do NOT discard any ACRs. Store them as described above.
- If you lose your retainer or if it does not fit properly, call our office immediately.
Bonded retainer (also called Permanent retainer)
The bonded retainer prevents the recurrence of mild to severe crowding or spacing on the front teeth. It's a thin wire that's clued to the tongue-side of the front teeth, similar to the way braces are applied. Because of this, you can eat and brush your teeth without removing it!
The bonded retainer can be worn for years, and removed at your request. However, it requires proper flossing and brushing techniques to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Caring for your bonded retainer:
- Remember to floss every day! Simply follow these instructions:
- Using a floss threader, feed the floss through the center of the hole.
- Starting directly at the gum line (under the wire), gently guide the threader between the teeth until you see the threader start to protrude out toward your tongue.
- Grab the threader and pull the floss between your teeth. Now you can floss down and around those teeth. Finally, pull the floss out.
- Repeat for all remaining teeth bonded to the retainer. - Use your back-up. Use the clear retainer if your bonded retainer comes loose. Follow the care instructions for the clear retainer
- Keep your models in a safe place! They’re needed to make replacement retainers, and may eliminate the need to make a new impression.
This retainer is designed with an acrylic piece that fits perfectly on the roof of your mouth, or under your tongue. Your teeth are held in position by a metal wire that runs along the front of the teeth from canine to canine.
Hawley retainers keep spaces between teeth from reopening, and may need to be adjusted in the first few months to make sure they’re stabilized. Full-time wear is required at first, followed by nighttime wear as instructed by Dr. Kadar.
Caring for your Hawley retainer:
- Wear as directed, except when eating or brushing your teeth.
- Store in its case in a cool place. Heat can warp your retainer and, as a result, won’t fit as well.
- Clean each night with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Baking soda or a denture cleaner will treat tougher stains.
- Bring with you to every appointment, so we can see if they’re still fitting properly.
- Keep your models in a safe place! They’re needed to make replacement retainers, and may eliminate the need to make a new impression.
- Avoid bending retainer wires - this could distort or even ruin the fit.
