RETENTION PHASE

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. Retention Is an Essential Part of Your Orthodontic Treatment

Retention is just as important as active orthodontic treatment. Achieving a good bite takes time, but maintaining the result is even more important.

If you do not wear your retainers exactly as instructed, your teeth may gradually move back towards their original positions.

2. How Long Should You Wear Your Retainers?

Unless your orthodontist advises otherwise:

• First month: 22 hours per day (remove only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing your teeth)
• Months 2–3: 20 hours per day
• Months 4–6: 16 hours per day
• After 6 months: wear your retainers every night.

3. How Long Will You Need Retainers?

The best way to maintain the results of your orthodontic treatment is to continue wearing your retainers for as long as you wish to keep your teeth in their corrected position.

For most patients, lifelong nighttime wear is recommended.

4. How to Care for Your Retainers

• Clean your retainers after every use using a separate toothbrush under lukewarm running water.
• Use denture cleaning foam or liquid soap.
• Once a week, you may use a denture cleaning tablet to disinfect the retainers.
• Store your retainers dry in their protective case when not in use.
• Do not expose thermoformed retainers to hot or boiling water, as they may become distorted.

5. Eating and Drinking

Do not eat or drink (except water) while wearing your retainers, as this may damage them or increase the risk of injury to your teeth.

6. If Your Retainers Are Lost or No Longer Fit

If your retainers are lost, broken, or no longer fit properly, please contact ODONTO as soon as possible so that new retainers can be made.

7. Bring Your Retainers to Every Appointment

Always bring your retainers:

• to every retention follow-up appointment,
• and to any dental appointment, as they may need to be adjusted after dental treatment.

8. Preventing Relapse

One of the most common causes of teeth moving after orthodontic treatment is an incorrect tongue position or tongue thrust during swallowing.

If necessary, your orthodontist may recommend treatment with a speech therapist or orofacial myofunctional therapist.

WARRANTY

The warranty period is:

• Acrylic retainers: 6 months
• Thermoformed retainers (Essix-type): 3 months
• Fixed retainers (bonded retainer wires): 6 months

The warranty does not cover mechanical damage to any type of retainer.

Repairs or replacement after the warranty period will be charged according to the current ODONTO price list.