Retainers—the unsung hero of the heavenly smile

Retainers—the unsung hero of the heavenly smile

Dr. Eckels straightens smiles, but you know what keeps them gorgeous? Your retainer. Retainers keep teeth from reverting to their pre-treatment positions.

Benefits of retainers

Shift prevention

Retainers help keep your teeth in their new positions after braces, protecting your investment in your eye-catching smile.

Comfortable wear

Retainers are lightweight and designed for comfort, making them easy to wear during the day and while you sleep.

Affordable maintenance

Retainers cost-effectively preserve your results without needing additional treatments, ensuring your hard-earned smile stays perfect for life!

How retainers work

Custom fit

Congrats! Your treatment is done! Dr. Eckels will discuss your retainer options and create a custom retainer that fits your mouth and smile perfectly.

Daily care

Brush your retainer twice daily when you brush your teeth. You’ll remove it to eat (but always put it in the case when not in your mouth) and rinse it after meals.

How retainers work

Consistent wear

Dr. Eckels will give you specific instructions, but most people wear their retainers around the clock for a period and then only at night for the long term.

Follow up

An occasional visit ensures your retainer fits perfectly and your teeth stay aligned, keeping that smile sparkling!

FAQs about retainers

Don’t see what you need here? Give us a call. We’d love to discuss all of your questions.
We recommend that our patients wear their retainers full-time for the first few months, then just at night after that. Dr. Eckels will guide you based on your specific needs, but since teeth tend to shift over your lifetime, you should plan on wearing it nightly to keep your smile perfect for life.
If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth could shift back to their original position. Some adults come in for retreatment because they didn’t wear their retainer properly after they had orthodontic treatment as a youngster. But don’t worry—just follow Dr. Eckels’ recommendations and your smile will stay as lovely as the day your braces come off.
It’s best to remove your retainer while eating to avoid damaging it and to keep your meals hassle-free. Be sure to store it in its case during meals and then rinse and pop it back in afterward.
Clean your retainer daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or retainer cleaner. Rinse it after meals and store it safely in its case anytime it isn’t in your mouth. If you ever damage or lose your retainer, call us right away for next steps so we can take care of any problems.

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