Vacuum Formed Retainers (Essix retainers) FAQ
The reason you need to wear retainers is that your teeth are not stuck directly to your jaw bone, they sit in a space and are held into place by millions of fibres like ropes. When we move your teeth these fibres are stretched and because your teeth have been moving in it the bone is soft. If we just ‘let go’ of your teeth these stretched fibres will pull on your teeth and with the bone being soft, your teeth will go back towards where they came from. Soft tissue pressure on your teeth from the lips and tongue will resume once the braces are removed and will also want to influence the position of the teeth.
It takes a year for these fibres to reorganise themselves so we need to hold your teeth in the bone during that time. Your retainers are a very crucial part of treatment helping to keep your teeth straight and your bite correct.
If you do not follow these instructions your teeth will move out of alignment!
When should I wear retainers?
You need to wear your retainers for the first two weeks for 24 hours, that is all through the day and all through the night when you are sleeping. On some occasions this period may be longer, but you will be told this when your retainers are fitted. After this period you need to wear them at bedtime only, putting them in before you go to bed and taking them out in the morning for the remainder of the year.
When can I take them out?
You can take out your retainers on the following occasions:
- When you are eating (you can eat what you want now!)
- When you are drinking, except cold water only
- When you are brushing your teeth
- During contact sport
- When you are swimming
How can I make sure I do not lose or damage them?
You need to use a hard box to keep them safe, you can buy one from reception. When the retainers are out of your mouth, even for a few minutes, you must put them in the box otherwise you may lose or break them. The NHS will charge you up front for making new retainers. A common mistake is to put retainers in your pocket or wrap them in tissues, they are easily lost if you do this more likely to crack due to flexing.
Do not leave retainers within reach of dogs even when in the box as they love to chew them and will chew them out of the box. The NHS no longer covers the cost of replacement retainers if they are lost or chewed by a dog, so please be extra careful.
How can I clean them?
On a daily basis, as soon as you take them out you need to rinse them under cold water. Do not use warm or hot water as this may distort them and they won’t fit. You can use a soft brush to help clean them but don’t use toothpaste as this is quite abrasive. You can now use your normal toothbrush as opposed to the orthodontic toothbrush you used when you had braces. If you feel they need extra cleaning then you can use a little washing up liquid, just be sure to rinse them well. However, if this is still not enough we sell a product called “RetainerBrite” which cleans them well.
Do I need to come back to get my retainers checked?
Yes! You usually come back every 3 months for a year to have your teeth and your retainers checked. It is important that you attend these appointments. If there are any problems with your retainers you need to contact the practice ASAP!
Remember, if you do not wear your retainers even for a short period of time, your teeth will move and can move quickly!
Remember to always bring your retainer to your appointments even if you are not wearing them during the day. Your retainers must be checked in your mouth every visit.
What number do I need to call in emergencies or to discuss appointments?
The telephone number you need to call is: 01896 759331