Orthodontist Brisbane Queensland Australia - Sam Wong Orthodontist Brisbane Queensland Australia
Dr Wong and Dr Leivesley are always up to date with new advances in orthodontics. benefit from Dr Leivesley’s or Dr Wong’s skill, care and experience – and in orthodontics, experience counts!
Braces Information: Fixed Braces, Treatment in general, parts of the braces and elastics
Orthodontic Appliances: Retainers, Removable Plates, CBJ Appliance and Invisalign Invisible Aligners and Braces
Children's Orthodontist: Orthodontic Treatment for children and early childhood treatment
Brushing with Braces: Information on maintenance of your braces
Orthodontist Queensland Australia - Orthodontist Brisbane Queensland Australia
Dr Sam Wong is a professionally qualified orthodontist in Brisbane Queensland Australia offering latest technology in orthodontics including invisalign invisible braces, clear sapphire braces and other orthodontic services.
 

Now that we have taken your Braces off, we are going to give you a retainer to wear!
What are retainers and why are they so important?
After orthodontic treatment the teeth need to be held in their new corrected positions while the supporting bone and fibres holding the teeth mature and the oral muscles adapt to their new positions.
Retainers are fixed or removable appliances that hold the teeth and it is vitally important to wear these for the prescribed time.

Types of retainers

Clear Retainers
• A clear retainer is a clear plastic overlay that covers the entire surface of all teeth.
Hawley Retainers
• A Hawley retainer consists of a base plate that covers the palate and a wire across the incisor teeth that controls their position. Two cribbs help stabilise the retainers and clips around the molar teeth.
How to insert the Hawley Retainer:
• Place the wire to the front of your teeth then, with your thumbs, push gently up towards the back of your mouth until you hear it click into place. To remove your appliance, feel up where your back teeth are with your fingers and pull down at the cribb – remember not to pull on the front wire.
Lower Lingual Wire
• This is also a form of retainer, sometimes used for your bottom teeth, which is cemented into place. This is called a lower lingual wire and this wire is glued behind your lower incisor teeth.
How do I clean my Retainer?
• After each meal you must clean your retainer. Take your retainer out and brush it with your toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Don’t use hot water as this will distort the retainer.

Now that you have your retainer, remember to wear it as we have instructed because, although your braces are off, this is the most important part of your treatment.
Now remember – if you don’t wear your retainers as directed, your teeth will move. This is outside our responsibility and may necessitate re-treatment and additional costs.
Even though you speak differently for a couple of days, it is essential that your wear your retainers as prescribed!

How often do I wear my Retainer?
The standard retention period in this Practice is:
• Stage 1: 4 months full time wear followed by -
• Stage 2: 3 months wear after evening meal and while sleeping and then –
• Stage 3: 1 year just while sleeping

After Stage 3, retainers should still be worn sufficiently to ensure they fit well and there is no movement of individual teeth. This is usually achieved by wearing the retainer alternate nights while sleeping. If tooth relapses are occurring greater wear may be temporarily necessary to re-align the teeth.
Unfavourable post-treatment jaw growth and then the eruption of the third molars, (wisdom teeth) may effect the result of orthodontic treatment. Correct retainer wear is essential for a good lasting orthodontic result.

Lost or Broken Retainers
• You are responsible for your retainer wear. If your retainer is lost or damaged, please contact the surgery quickly to report this matter.
• Replacement Appliance Cost is $100.00