Working together, we can help you preserve your new smile. Please understand that teeth make adaptive changes to function of the tongue, lips and supporting structures. Additionally, teeth have a “memory” and often try to move back to their original positions. Expect that even with perfect retainer wear the teeth will not stay exactly where we placed them. This readjustment is not a failure of correction, but a natural change that we have learned to accept. You will need to wear the retainers as instructed to maintain as much of the correction as possible. About 90-95% of your correction can usually be retained. As part of your treatment we will supervise the first year of your retainer wear free of charge.
Retainer Fit
- Feels comfortable, no poking/rough areas
- Placement: Ensure the retainers are fully seated
- Removal: Remove them from the back to the front; start in the back on one side and walk around
Retainer Wear
- FIRST 4 WEEKS: Full-time wear (retainers should be worn 24/7)
- AFTER 4 WEEKS: Night-time wear for the rest of your life.
***However, if the retainers feel tight then wear them more (tightly fitting retainers usually mean that your teeth are trying to shift)
*** IF THE RETAINERS ARE NOT WORN AS DIRECTED, THE TEETH WILL SHIFT!!!
*** It will be the patient’s responsibility to replace ill-fitting retainers that were not picked-up at the office as advised (the next day unless stated otherwise)
Important Information
- Retainers are made from plastic so they will wear down over time. The time it takes for the retainers to wear down varies from patient-to-patient and depends upon many factors, including patient-specific habits.
- Retainers should be placed in your case when they are not in your mouth (pets love to eat them and they can be thrown away easily if they are not in their case).
- Retainers should not be placed into or around anything that is hot (i.e. in hot water or in direct sunlight), this can cause the retainers to distort and not fit properly
- Clean your retainers daily with denture cleaner tablets. (Do not clean your retainers with toothpaste or soak in Listerine as this may cause your retainers to become cloudy & can also create scratches on them.)
Please contact our office if you have any questions/concerns regarding your retainers and/or if you break or lose your retainers
IN-HOUSE RETAINER PROGRAM (Included in Every Treatment Plan)
- 3D Scan of Teeth
- 3D Printed Models of Both Upper and Lower Teeth
- 1 set of retainers (1 upper retainer and 1 lower retainer)
Replacement Fees
- $200 per replacement retainer with 3D printed model.
Bonded retainer(s) (If Applicable) will be repaired at no charge if/when it breaks for the 1st time. If the bonded retainer(s) breaks after the 1st repair, the following fees, and conditions may apply:
- $40 per pad repair fee, $280 for complete replacement of bonded retainer OR remove retainer(s), and switch to clear retainers.
***If the bonded retainer(s) breaks after the first repair, Dr. McMurphy may assess the pre-determined charge to repair the bonded retainer or decide to have a removable retainer made instead.
*** It will be the patient’s responsibility to replace ill-fitting retainers that were not picked-up at the office as advised (the next day unless stated otherwise)
THE MCMURPHY SMILE GUARANTEE
McMurphy Orthodontics stands behind every patient’s smile, and wants to help every patient maintain that smile they worked so hard to achieve. If for any reason you experience any shifting, and become unhappy with the appearance of your teeth, don’t worry! We can fix it! We will put you back through treatment, and the only amount you pay is $189 per month for all of your adjustments, until you’re once again satisfied with your smile, and the cost of a new retainer to make sure you preserve that beautiful smile.