Keep Your Smile
At Backus Orthodontics, we are committed to providing high quality orthodontic treatment to patients of all ages in Hoover and surrounding areas of Birmingham Alabama. Our treatment fees for braces include end of treatment retainers and two years of post-treatment retention checks.
You’ve Made it to the Finish Line
Congratulations on completing your braces or clear aligner treatment with us! You've put in the effort, and now you have a stunning, healthy smile to show for it. We're thrilled you chose Backus Orthodontics for this important journey in your life. But remember, your journey to a perfect smile isn't quite over yet.
Your beautiful new smile relies a lot on your retainer. It's crucial to stick to the retainer plan we've set for you to keep your teeth just right and avoid any shifts back. Once we remove your braces or Invisalign, you'll get your retainers to keep everything in place.
Since your teeth and gums are still getting used to their new positions, wearing your retainers exactly as we've instructed is super important.
Retainer Warranty Policy
Not wearing your retainers could lead to your teeth moving back to where they started, and nobody wants that! Plus, with our commitment to your long-term smile, we've got you covered for any retainer mishaps — we replace up to four retainers per year for a decade just to make sure your smile stays perfect.
How to Care for Retainers
Taking care of your retainers is super important to keep your smile looking its best. Here's how you can make sure they stay in top shape:
- Watch the Heat: Your retainers are made of a special material that doesn’t like heat. Keep them away from heaters, dishwashers, car dashboards, or anywhere it gets hotter than 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep Them Clean: Always clean your retainers before and after wearing them. Since they're a bit porous, plaque loves to stick to them. A gentle brush with mild liquid soap does the trick. You can also use a denture cleaner like Efferdent to get rid of plaque and tartar. Just remember to rinse them well after cleaning.
- Your Role is Key: We're here to help your smile stay beautiful and healthy for a lifetime. Your part in wearing and caring for your retainers is crucial to make this happen.
Remember, if you ever lose or break your retainers, don’t worry! We understand that life happens. That's why we're ready to replace your retainers up to four times a year for ten years to ensure your smile always stays just the way you love it.
Retainer Tips
- Always keep your retainer safe by not wrapping it in a napkin or leaving it on a table at a restaurant – you don’t want to end up searching through the trash!
- Avoid putting your retainer in your pocket to prevent damage.
- Take your retainer out when swimming, especially in large bodies of water, to avoid losing it.
- Keep your retainer out of reach of pets and children who might mistake it for a toy.
- Wear your retainer as instructed to maintain your perfect smile – it should only be out of your mouth for brushing or eating unless Dr. Jeff Backus advises otherwise.
- Be careful with a fixed lower retainer; it’s not permanent and can break if not handled cautiously.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments and tell us if they don’t fit, if you break them, or if you lose them. If your lower bonded retainer wire comes loose, keep it and bring it in at your next visit for re-bonding.
- You will receive the first set of retainers as part of your treatment. Any repairs, replacements, or re-bonding of your lower retainer will have an additional charge.
- Maintain cleanliness by brushing your teeth without your retainers in. Avoid boiling your retainer or putting it in hot water. Clean your retainer with a toothbrush using toothpaste and warm water.
Learn About Our
Retainers for Life Program
Details:
- There is a one-time fee of $650 in order to be eligible for the program.
- Up to 4 retainers per year included.
- If teeth shift, the patient is responsible for the additional cost of a new scan.
Types of Retainers
Dr. Jeff Backus will help you choose the best type of retainer to fit your needs and lifestyle.
Upper Bonded Retainer
The Upper Bonded Retainer is a great choice for keeping your upper front teeth in line. We attach it directly to the inside of these teeth, and it stays there permanently. You'll need to be a bit careful with what you eat – hard, sticky, or crunchy foods might loosen it.
It's important to brush and floss around this retainer every day to keep it and your teeth clean. Also, make sure to check it regularly to see that it's still firmly in place. If you ever feel it's gotten loose or it comes off, give us a call right away, and we'll sort it out for you.
Lower Bonded Retainer
Just like the upper one, the Lower Bonded Retainer is glued right to the inside of your lower front six teeth. This helps keep them from shifting. You've got to be careful with how you bite, though. If you bite down wrong, the bonding material might break, and your teeth could start moving out of place quickly.
Keeping this retainer clean is super important. When you brush, pay extra attention to the inside of your lower teeth and the wire. Do a quick check every day to make sure it's still snug and secure. If you notice it's loose, or it comes off, don't hesitate to call us. We'll get you back in action in no time.
Maxillary Hawley
The Maxillary Hawley is a removable retainer for your upper teeth. It's really important to handle it carefully because it's delicate and can be costly to replace. When you get your retainer, we'll also give you a special case for it. Always use this case to keep your retainer safe when you're not wearing it.
You should wear your Maxillary Hawley as we recommend, except when you're brushing your teeth, playing sports that need a mouthguard, or swimming. After a few months of wearing it all the time, we'll check how things are going at your retention visit.
Depending on your progress, we might switch you to wearing it only at night. Remember, following our wear instructions is key to getting the best results for your smile.
Essix
The Essix retainer is a clear, removable choice that's practically invisible when you wear it. It's super easy to take care of and won't cramp your style. Just like with the Maxillary Hawley, you'll get a special case for your Essix retainer.
Make sure to always use this case for safekeeping when it's not in your mouth.
It's important to wear your Essix retainer exactly as we tell you. This will help you get the full benefits of your treatment and keep your smile looking great. If you have any questions about wearing or caring for your Essix retainer, just ask us — we're here to help!