Retention
The retention phase is the time of your treatment journey when we’re working to ensure your newly straightened teeth stay in the right position. The last thing we want is for them to move back.
To keep them in place, we’ll issue you with a custom retainer. Retainers come in two forms – fixed and removable.
- Fixed retainer: A fixed retainer is a thin length of wire that is attached out of sight behind the front teeth. It keeps your front teeth in position and won’t interfere with your lifestyle at all. Your eating and speech won’t be affected.
- Removable retainer: A removable retainer is a close fitting tray of thin clear plastic that hugs your teeth to keep them in position. We’ll ask you to wear it every night for several months after treatment.
After about 12 months you can miss some nights but it is best to develop a good routine so that you are in the habit of wearing your removable retainers every night. It’s vital you wear your retainers as instructed to keep your teeth in their newly straightened position.
