The retention phase of your treatment is a vital stage as the retainers hold your teeth in their corrected positions while the tissues adjust to changes. It's the final stage of your orthodontic treatment and in most cases we advise long-term.
Retention refers to wearing any appliance that holds your teeth in their new positions and therefore, follows on from active treatment. We normally use removable retainers or plates, as well as bonded retainers or bonded wires.
Successful retention is dependent on your co-operation. If you fail to wear retainers as instructed it can result in your teeth returning to their original position. If you lose your retainer or your bonded retainer becomes unstuck please let us know as we will need to arrange an appointment to replace this.
The completion of your orthodontic treatment doesn't ensure a lifetime of perfectly straight teeth. After a period of retention your teeth are as stable as can be expected. Any changes after that are due to natural causes and slight irregularity, which is to be expected later in life.
If you have completed treatment a while ago and now new retainers are necessary, please contact us. Please note there will be an additional fee for replacement retainers.