Retainers are almost more important than the treatment to make your teeth straight. If you don't wear them as advised by your orthodontist your teeth may slip back towards where they started. How much they slip and when they stop cannot be predicted. The simple message is that you must wear the retainers long enough to hold your teeth straight.

At last your treatment has finished and we hope you are pleased with your new smile. You (and we) have put a great deal of hard work into improving your bite and smile.

It is up to you to keep them straight!

FAQ's

• When do I wear it?
• How do I get used to wearing it?
• How do I clean it?
• Problems and answers.
• I've lost it!
• I would like to have new ones

LOOKING AFTER YOUR VACUUM RETAINER

Your new retainer has been carefully made to fit your mouth exactly and to hold your teeth in their new positions. You can do a lot to help by following these simple rules:

WHEN TO WEAR

• Start now by wearing it today (at home this evening) and in bed to night
• Wear it every night
• Keep wearing it every night if you want your teeth to stay straight
• Wear your retainer as instructed by your Orthodontist. This is normally every night. However, it may be necessary to wear it during the daytime as well on certain occasions. It is not designed to be worn while eating. During meal times and any other time that the appliance is out of your mouth, it must be kept in the secure container supplied. More of these can be purchased at reception.

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GETTING USED TO YOUR RETAINER

• At first your retainer may feel slightly tight and make speaking more difficult. ( Do you do much talking in your sleep?) This should only last for a few days.

CLEANING

• Keep your teeth clean to prevent tooth decay and gum disease by using a fluoride toothpaste. To clean your retainer use an old toothbrush and soap/detergent (do not use toothpaste ). A proprietary cleaning agent RETAINER BRITE is available for sale at reception. The retainers can be steeped in this occasionally to make them fresher.
  

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PROBLEMS & ANSWERS

• They do not fit.

1. Make sure that they are seated properly onto your teeth.
2. Wear them as much as possible (day & night). If they are too loose or too tight this is because your teeth have moved a little and the retainers will help to move them back again. They should start to fit more comfortably

• I've lost them

1. Keep them safe in the box.
2. If you do lose them contact the practice IMMEDIATELY to arrange for new ones to be made. (please note the Health Board will charge you for the replacement cost)

• They are cutting into my gum

1. Try to wear them so that your teeth do not slip but make an appointment soon to have them adjusted
2. If you are very confident you can trim a little off the edge with a small pair of scissors

• The dog has chewed them

1. It depends how badly but if they do not fit make an appointment as soon as possible and bring them with you.

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MISSED APPOINTMENTS

• As your teeth and retainer need to be checked at regular intervals, please ensure that all appointments are kept or cancelled with as much notice as possible. . A charge will be made for missed appointments or appointments cancelled at less than 24hrs notice.

LOST RETAINERS

• There will be a charge of approximately £45 to the NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE for the replacement of appliances that are lost or damaged through neglect. This is entirely at the discretion of Forth Valley Health Board and a claim form must be submitted to them. More information here.

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NEW RETAINERS

• PRIVATE PATIENTS will generally be issued with new retaienrs after the first year. Subsequent retainers can be provided at a cost of £60 each.
• NHS patients are not automatically issued with new retainers. Circumstances vary and an assessment will be made for each individual case.

Remember

To keep your teeth straight you must wear your retainers every night.