Your New Retainers

Wearing Your Retainers
Because we want to minimize relapse of your teeth following active orthodontic treatment, the corrections we’ve achieved will be held by an upper retainer and a lower retainer. These retainers have been specially made from recent impressions of your teeth.

Your retainers are fragile and should never be abused – breakage may result in additional expense and EXTENDED WEARING TIME! If you lose, bend, or break either of your retainers, call for an appointment immediately. You can reach us at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office) & 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office).

Do I Have to Wear My Retainers All the Time?
Wear both retainers 24 hours a day – except when eating – until we reduce your wearing time. Although we see you less often now than when you wore braces, this retention phase is still extremely important! You’ll need to keep all office appointments to ensure that your treatment is completed successfully.

Will I Be Able to Talk with My Retainers In?
Your speech may be slightly affected the first week you wear your retainers, but don’t worry! All speech difficulties will diminish substantially after your mouth adjusts to them.

How Do I Care for My Retainers?
Retainers should be cleaned after each meal (providing an excellent opportunity to brush your teeth). The best way to clean your retainer is with hand soap and a toothbrush or denture cleansing tablets.

• Your retainer is very sensitive to heat. Rinse it in LUKEWARM water only and never leave it in your hot car. Heat will distort your retainer.
• Never boil your retainer! To sterilize, soak it in mouthwash.
• Never wrap your retainer in a napkin while eating – they tend to be forgotten and eaten by the garbage can!
• Never put your retainer in your pocket – they’re often forgotten and broken.
• The best place to keep your retainer is IN YOUR MOUTH or in the retainer case provided for you.
• Don’t “flip” your retainer in your mouth with your tongue – it’s annoying to other people, can result in breakage, and will make your retainer loose.
• Keep your retainer out of small children’s and animals’ reach – children like to play with them and animals love to eat them.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your retainers, please call Dr. Dickerson’s office at 480-963-2535 (Chandler office), 480-558-4312 (Gilbert office), 623-376-6346 (Arrowhead office) or by e-mail at info@dickersonortho.com.