Why Have Backup Retainers?

Backup retainers are only $75 each.

There are so many colorful reasons why a dental retainer gets lost:

My dog ate it! I forgot it on the cafeteria tray & threw it out! It went through the laundry in my jeans! I have no idea where it went! Fell into the water when I went deep sea fishing! I think I still have it, but I don't know when or where it will turn up.

By the time you get to your local orthodontist to get a new retainer, your teeth have already moved and now you have to pay to get them straightened again!

What a waste!

Solution: Always keep a second set of orthodontic retainers on hand! That way you can get to the orthodontist on your own schedule without the worry that your teeth will move in the meantime!

Backup retainers are a wise and low-cost insurance policy!

Clean your dental retainer at least once a week with Retainer Bright or Efferdent (available for purchase from Orthodontics at Davis Square or any pharmacy).

Do NOT put your retainer in hot water.  Heat will warp your orthodontic retainer.

Do NOT brush your retainer with toothpaste.  It will create a mineral buildup.  You CAN brush your retainer with a wet toothbrush, though.

Do NOT lose your retainer.  Your teeth will shift without it.

Stage 1:  (0 to 3 months after treatment)
Wear dental retainers full time.  Remove them to eat and brush only.

Stage 2:  (3 to 12 months after treatment)
Wear dental retainers only at night.

Stage 3:  (12 to 24 months after treatment)
You may decrease nighttime wear to every other night after 1 year.

Stage 4:  (24 to 36 months after treatment)
You may decrease your nighttime wear to 1 night a week after 2 years.

Stage 5:  (36 months and for rest of life)
After 3 years or if you never had orthodontic treatment, wear your dental retainer, 1 night every 2 weeks for the rest of your life.

*Do not progress to next stage if teeth do not seem relatively stable.  Feel free to wear retainers every night forever.  Never stop wearing retainers less than 1 night every 2 weeks.*

If you have not had a quality, durable dental retainer OR if you have not been informed of the proper schedule for retainer wear, you probably have had some shifting of your teeth!

What do you do now?

Straightening can be accomplished via different appliances, including a "Spring Retainer" or a "Simple Aligner." Spring Retainers are NOT very effective, however, Simple Aligners are ideal for minor crookedness fixes.

Simple Aligners are economical, but powerful. Designed by Dr. Rizkallah, Simple Aligners look like Invisalign, but are much less expensive. They are ideal for addressing minor crookedness prior to moving into a Forgiver Retainer.

Call the office or visit www.veryniceteeth.com to see before and afters of what a Simple Aligner can accomplish for you.

These bleaching instructions are intended for Invisalign or Forgiver^TM Retainers

TO WHITEN:

1.    Floss & brush your teeth.
2.    Twist & pull cap off syringe.
3.    Place mixing nozzle on syringe end.
4.    Place small drop of gel in the middle of the  "front-side" of each tooth. compartment in the tray (see picture).
5.    Place tray with gel in your mouth.
6.    Wipe away any excess gel that is expressed onto your gums with a tissue.
7.    Keep tray on teeth for either one hour (if 5% hydrogen peroxide) or overnight (if 22% carbamide peroxide).

AFTER WHITENING:

1.    Rinse tray with cold water.  Use a toothbrush (no toothpaste) to remove any residual gel.
2.    Rinse and brush your teeth to remove excess gel.