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Retention

At West Orthodontics we take pride and creating beautiful smiles for our patients in our Medford office. Dr. West and his hard working team are committed to providing patients the most efficient and effective care in a comfortable environment. The oral health of our patients is our number one priority and it is important to us that the standard of a beautiful smile is maintained once our patient’s braces are removed.

Visiting Your Southern Oregon Orthodontist Post-Treatment

Once your braces have been removed you will continue to have occasional appointments with Dr. West so that we can monitor your retention process. It is important to check in with Dr. West in order to make sure that your retainer is in good shape and that alignment has been maintained. Our Medford office will request to see each patient about every six months for about two years to monitor progress.

After removal you will receive two sets of retainers to maintain alignment after all the hard work you and Dr. West have put in. A replacement fee may be charged if a retainer is damaged, lost or no longer fit due to a lack of wearing them as instructed by the doctor.

Tips To Maintain Your New Smile

Dr. West wants to give each patient the tools they need to maintain the smile they have worked so hard to achieve. Take a look below at how you can make sure you keep your newly straight smile:

  • Wear your retainer at all times, unless instructed otherwise
  • Remove your retainer when eating
  • Always put your retainer in the case when not wearing it
  • Remove retainer before brushing
  • Be careful with your retainer, it is fragile!
  • Make an appointment if your retainer needs adjustments, do not try this at home!
  • Always bring retainers to follow-up appointments
  • Remove retainer if you are swimming
  • Do not put your retainer in boiling or hot water to clean as it can melt!
  • If you are having trouble speaking, just practice by reading aloud

Hawley Retainers

The Hawley retainer, one of the most common types, is a removable retainer made of a combination of metal wires and sturdy acrylic, and is designed to keep your teeth in place. This retainer is specially made from impressions of your teeth so that it fits snugly and comfortably in the roof of your mouth, while any wire or acrylic framing keeps your teeth in perfect position. The acrylic can also be personalized with a large number of colors and/or patterns.

Essix Retainers

The Essix retainer is a transparent removable retainer that fits over the entire arch of teeth. Similar to Invisalign® trays, Essix retainers have no wires. They are inexpensive and easier to wear. They can be used for other treatments as well, including tooth movement and bridges.

Bonded Retainers

Bonded lingual retainers are cemented directly to the inside surface of your lower canines. Patients with bonded lingual retainers must be careful with their bite as the bonding material may break due to incorrect biting and cause teeth to shift quickly.

Contact Our Medford Office

Should your retainer break at any time during treatment please do not attempt to fix the retainer on your own. Contact our Medford office immediately for an appointment to get your retainer adjusted. If you have any further questions about the retention process we encourage you to contact our offices or ask Dr. West at your next appointment!