Congratulations on completing your orthodontic treatment! You are now entering the retention phase — the period of stabilizing and preserving your results. To do this, your orthodontist has fitted and/or given you special retainers.
Fixed Retainer (Upper and Lower)
A thin wire bonded to the inner side of your teeth (usually canine to canine) using composite material.
– Use SuperFloss and an irrigator to clean around the fixed retainer effectively.
Removable Retainer (Tray, Plate, or Dual-Jaw Appliance)
Unless your orthodontist instructs otherwise, follow this schedule:
– First year: 8 hours per day (usually overnight).
– Next 6 months: every other night.
– Following 6 months: twice a week.
– After 2 years: once a week for maintenance.
Important Retainer Notes
– There should be no noticeable pressure when wearing the retainer. If there is, your teeth may have shifted — wear the retainer overnight and check again in a week.
– Retainers must be worn on both the upper and lower arches — never leave one without support.
Care for Removable Retainers
– Clean daily with a toothbrush and toothpaste after use.
– Rinse with room temperature water before wearing.
– Once a week, use cleaning tablets or solutions for orthodontic appliances (e.g., ROCS, President, Curaprox, Lacalut).
– Store in a clean case.
– Avoid damage and don’t lose the appliance.
We Recommend
– Wear your removable retainer exactly as instructed.
– Get professional cleanings every 6 months.
– Visit your orthodontist every 6 months to monitor long-term stability.
– Check the integrity of your fixed retainer every night when brushing.
– If the fixed retainer breaks or becomes detached from even one tooth, wear your removable retainer 12 hours daily and schedule an urgent visit to your orthodontist.
