Some people think their orthodontic journey is complete once their braces are removed. But that’s not the full story! Westfall Orthodontics is here to explain what comes next and to answer this key question: Why is retention crucial for preserving a straight smile?
Crossing the Finish Line
First and foremost, let’s discuss what happens when your active orthodontic treatment reaches its conclusion. Dr. Westfall and our team will guide you through this stage and provide further details as you go through your treatment.
- Removal of Braces or Aligners: If you have traditional braces, Dr. Westfall will carefully remove the brackets, wires, and other components from your teeth. This process is quick and painless. For those using aligners like Invisalign, you’ll simply stop wearing your trays.
- Teeth Cleaning and Polishing: After removing braces, we will thoroughly clean and polish your teeth to eliminate any adhesive residue, ensuring your teeth are smooth and free from leftover materials.
- Retainer Fitting: Next, we’ll take digital scans of your teeth to create custom retainers, a familiar process if you’ve used clear aligners. These retainers are designed to maintain your new smile. Depending on your needs, you may receive fixed retainers (bonded to the back of your teeth) or traditional removable retainers (clear plastic or wire-based).
- Instructions for Retainer Use: Initially, you’ll likely be instructed to wear your retainers full-time, except when eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. Over time, most patients transition to wearing them only at night.
- Final Adjustments: We’ll check your bite and overall alignment to ensure everything is perfect. This is the ideal stage to make any final adjustments for optimal results.
- Celebrating Your New Smile: Finally, we’ll take before-and-after photos to showcase your smile transformation! Now, you can fully enjoy your beautifully aligned teeth and the confidence that comes with them.
Mastering Retention
So what happens next? Westfall Orthodontics will provide you with essential details about retention and explain why it is so important.
- Wearing Your Retainers as Prescribed: One of the most crucial aspects of retention is consistently wearing your retainers as directed. This may be particularly challenging for those transitioning from fixed braces to removable So, what comes next? Westfall Orthodontics is going to give you some key information about retention, and why it matters so much.
- Handle Your Retainers with Care: Retainers are delicate and should be stored in their case to avoid damage or loss. They are easily misplaced or accidentally thrown away, so always keep them in a secure location. Avoid exposing them to direct heat, such as sunlight, to prevent warping.
- Clean Your Retainers Regularly: Proper care for your retainers is essential. Clean them daily with a toothbrush and mild soap or a special cleaning solution. Avoid using hot water, as it can alter the retainer’s shape. Additionally, soaking your retainers in a denture cleaner once a week can help keep them fresh and free from bacteria.
- Maintain Regular Dental Check-Ups: Continue to visit Westfall Orthodontics and your general dentist regularly to monitor your smile’s stability and ensure that your retainers fit properly.
- Watch for Shifts: If you notice any changes in your teeth alignment, especially after a lapse in wearing your retainers, contact Dr. Westfall promptly.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Consistent brushing and flossing are essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Healthy gums support the stability of your teeth after treatment. Hygiene is also extremely important during your active treatment phase, so hopefully, your good habits will transfer over into retention.
- Stay Consistent: Orthodontic treatment is a long-term commitment, and so is retention. Depending on your specific needs, you might need to wear your retainers for an extended period or even indefinitely. Make retainers a part of your nightly routine to prevent any shifting of your teeth over time.
- Educate Yourself: Make an effort to learn more about the importance of retention and how it affects your long-term orthodontic results. Don’t hesitate to ask us about any concerns or questions regarding your retainer and how to best use it!
Keeping Up the Good Work
The good news is that by the time you reach the retention period, you’ll likely have developed a great deal of discipline from your orthodontic treatment! We understand that challenges may arise, and part of our role at Westfall Orthodontics is to assist you in overcoming these issues through personalized support. We have three amazing offices in Abingdon, Richlands, and Bristol. We can’t wait to meet you for the first time or to welcome you back once again!