What to Do If You've Lost or Broken Your Retainer?
You’ve just retraced your steps for the last hour looking for your retainer. Where could it be? You just had it last night! And that’s when you notice, your dog is looking awfully guilty. On the floor next to him is your mangled retainer. Your dog is not the first to have mistaken a retainer for a chew toy and unfortunately, he won’t be the last. You’re now the not so proud owner of a broken retainer.
So Now What?
Is a broken retainer an emergency? You may wonder if it is really that important to be wearing your retainers in the first place. The answer is yes, it’s crucial! Retainers protect your investment of time and money that you put into your braces treatment. Not wearing your retainers as needed, will give your teeth the opportunity to shift back to where they were before your braces, especially within the first two years after your braces are removed.
You should contact our office as soon as possible after realizing your retainer is lost or broken. You’ll come in and get new impressions taken at our office. The sooner you can do this, the less your teeth will be able to shift. Before you know it, you will have your replacement retainers.
Now That You’ve Got Your New Retainer
You should clean it daily, picking either day or night to clean it. Some people find it easiest to remember to clean them just after they brush their teeth. Store your retainer in a safe and high place, out of the reach of a pet who might ruin your retainer.
Many patients who have completed orthodontic treatment are concerned that their teeth may shift out of alignment when their wisdom teeth come in. Fear not, your hard work won’t be for naught and you won’t need a new set of retainers. Wisdom teeth can actually reside peacefully beneath the gum without negatively affecting you for a while. However, they can grow in the wrong direction or they can become too big. This could result in impacted wisdom teeth, which may result in pain, bleeding, infection, decay, or worse. Your dentist can check whether you should have your wisdom teeth removed.
Contact Us for Replacement of Lost or Broken Retainer
If you have a question, need to replace your retainer, please contact us and the friendly staff of PRETORIASMILE will assist you in no time!!! Remember to keep Smiling Ever After!