Orthodontists will do their best to make their patient experience as comfortable as possible by explaining each step of the process. Knowing what to expect at your appointment will make you feel confident and relaxed when you arrive. There are different types of appointments that will accomplish different stages of your orthodontic treatment. Today we will go over what to expect during your retainer appointments.

Getting your braces off comes with lots of excitement. But it is important to remember that it is up to you to keep your smile looking great for a lifetime. Your orthodontist will recommend that you wear a retainer to keep your teeth from shifting. You can choose between a fixed retainer, which is glued onto the back of your teeth permanently, or a removable retainer.

Removable retainers are available in two variants, Essex or Hawley. The Essex is a transparent removable retainer that fits over the arch of the teeth. Essex is less visible and covers the whole arch. Unlike other retainers, the Hawley retainer includes a metal wire that typically surrounds the front teeth and an acrylic arch that sits on the roof of the mouth.

Retainer appointments are at the end of your orthodontic treatment.

A fixed retainer is usually placed on the same day that your braces are removed. There are two retainer appointments that you will have. The first is the retainer delivery appointment. It is important that this appointment is scheduled within eight days of your braces removal date in order to prevent your teeth from shifting. The purpose of this appointment is to make sure that your retainer is fitting properly.

At the beginning of your appointment, an assistant will explain the process to you. The assistant will then place a retainer on your teeth and make sure that the alignment is correct. After the retainer is confirmed to be the correct fitment, the assistant will then show you how to properly insert and remove your retainer. You will also be given information on how to maintain and store your retainer.

When you first receive your retainer you will be asked to wear it full time until your retainer check appointment. After wearing your retainer for two full months, you will then come in for your retainer check appointment. The purpose of this appointment is to make sure that your teeth have not shifted and your retainer is fitting correctly. This will be your last appointment on your orthodontic treatment journey. Make sure to bring your retainer. Going forward you will most likely only need to wear your retainer at night.

Hope this will be helpful. If you still have questions, please leave us a comment below.