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Retainers / Orthodontic Retention

Home » Other Treatments » Retainers / Orthodontic Retention

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Keeping Your Beautiful, Confident Smile for Life!

Teeth are supported by bone, elastic fibers, and gum tissue that surround the roots. Braces and orthodontic forces move teeth to a new more ideal and healthier location. As teeth move, the bone is slowly dissolved and the elastic fibers are stretched. In order for the teeth to “retain” their new location a retention phase of orthodontic treatment is essential. Once the teeth are in their final position, time is needed for regeneration. The new bone must grow and firm up around the teeth, stretched fibers dissolve, and new fibers regenerate to support the new location.

Note: Typical regeneration takes 9 months to complete and will occur when teeth are not allowed to roam. Thus, it is necessary that the retainers be worn day and night constantly. In other words, twenty-three hours a day. Taking them out for meals is permitted.

When retainers are not worn correctly, there may be an unavoidable relapse and shifting of teeth. We think you will agree that you have worked too hard and spent too much energy and money for your new healthier beautiful smile to have this happen to you.

On an individual basis, we start a process where the stability of the teeth is tested by cutting back from full-time to night-time retainer wear in a calculated and controlled process. Your ability to cut back will be related to several factors, such as the severity of the original problem, your cooperation during the first few months of retainer wear, the position of wisdom teeth, tongue thrusting, clenching/grinding habits, and continued commitment to retainer wear.

At the end of the active retention phase of orthodontic treatment, we encourage patients to wear their retainers indefinitely at least on a part-time basis to ensure long-term stability. Any time teeth move, the retainers become tight. This is your signal that you have gone too long without wearing them. As long as the retainers are fitting comfortably, teeth are remaining stable. The body is dynamic and just as we age, our skin tends to wrinkle, our hair turns grey, and our teeth tend to wander and move. Fortunately, the movement is usually subtle and slow but nevertheless can occur. The more severe the original problem, the greater the tendency some degree of relapse will occur. Wearing your retainers on an every-night basis indefinitely is the best guarantee possible to keep your teeth in their proper position.

If for any reason retainers cannot be worn, call for an appointment immediately. Don’t adjust or tamper with the retainer. Anytime the retainer is out of your mouth, it is to be kept in the retainer case we provided. Your continued cooperation in this last phase of orthodontic treatment is very important.

Removable Retainer Instructions

  • Wear your retainers full time unless the doctor instructs otherwise.
  • Take your retainers out when eating, and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
  • Remove retainers when swimming.
  • Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
  • Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque and eliminates odors. Efferdent and other denture cleaners may discolor your retainer so do not use this type of product. Instead, try to find Retainer Brite. It can be purchased online and will not stain or discolor your retainer.
  • When retainers are not in your mouth they should always be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
  • Initially, you may find it a bit awkward to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
  • Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
  • If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or if your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself!
  • Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
  • Retainer replacement is expensive; with proper care, they will last for years!

Let’s get started!

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We promise to provide the highest quality orthodontic treatment in a loving, caring atmosphere located for your convenience in Aberdeen, Brookings, Milbank, Sioux Falls, and Watertown, South Dakota. Get started by requesting a free consult today!

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Our 5-Star Experience

patient TESTIMONIALS

Liesl H.
I have had the opportunity to bring all 3 of our children to VanLaecken Orthodontics over the years and they have been so great to work with! They are patient, kind and willing to work with you and help in whatever way they can!!
Codi S.
If you need Orthodontic care...this is the place to be! The staff are always so sweet, kind and caring! ALL of them are absolutely amazing! Dr. Nate is very experienced and does a fabulous job explaining how the process works, what the next step is and the best treatment plan to fit your specific needs. I can't say enough about how awesome my experience has been!
Kay-Lee W
I cant say enough great things about VanLaechen Ortgodontics! Great service and a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone is so kind, compassionate, professional, They are absolutely amazing at VanLaecken Orthodontics! My smile is absolutely beautiful!! I highly highly recommend them!! I am very very pleased.
Riley R.
The workers are very friendly and my teeth look great! Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
Valeria Alexandra Medina M.
I loved how they treated me and made me feel special. They were never mean, and always made sure you were okay.
Sara J.
The team at VanLaecken is outstanding! Professional, easy to work with, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
Sara B.
Excellent customer service, very detailed services specific to each patient, for faster correction time. Would highly recommend.
Michelle B.
The assistants were very kind and the doctor easily explained what will happen during the process of braces. Excited to see what the end results will look like!
Melissa D.
I can’t say enough great things about VanLaecken Orthodontics and their amazing team. My smile started as an 11 out of 10 on the "hard to correct" scale, but they tackled it with such expertise, care, and dedication that I’m still in awe of the results.

From day one, they made me feel confident and comfortable with the process. The entire crew goes above and beyond—not just in their orthodontic skills but also in creating a supportive, welcoming environment. They patiently answered all my questions, worked around my schedule, and cheered me on every step of the way.
Kristen O.
Very professional, organized, helpful, and informed. I never feel like my time is wasted.
Kaley S.
Love this place!! Everyone is super welcoming and I enjoy coming here. Definitely recommend getting your teeth work done here!!
Stella B.
I got invisilign with vanlaecken, and I really enjoy my teeth. My teeth were over corrected a few times which had to be fixed. But other than that great people and I loved my service
Stella B.
I got invisilign here and I do love how my teeth look, although my teeth were overcorrected a few times and had to be readjusted, which took extra time and got a bit annoying. But overall the app was pretty helpful and the people were friendly.
Kat R.
amazing staff, especially Anne and Dawn!! Great service as well, thanks for all that you guys do!!!!
Jeffery H.
Friendliest staff and best orthodontists in the world, therefore, the universe. :). If you need your teeth straightened this is the place to be.
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Come Visit Us

our convenient locations
ABERDEEN
  • 631 S Roosevelt St.
    Aberdeen, SD 57401
Phone
  • (605) 226-3120
BROOKINGS
  • 410 Mayfield Dr. Suite #1
    Brookings, SD 57006
Phone
  • (605) 692-7063
MILBANK
  • 102 W 4th Ave. Suite 2
    Milbank, SD 57252
Phone
  • (605) 432-5011
SIOUX FALLS
  • 1518 E 69th St.
    Sioux Falls, SD 57108
Phone
  • (605) 789-7000
WATERTOWN
  • 600 4th St. NE Suite 103
    Watertown, SD 57201
Phone
  • (605) 882-1500

ABERDEEN


ABERDEEN

BROOKINGS

BROOKINGS

SIOUX FALLS

SIOUX FALLS

MILBANK

MILBANK

WATERTOWN

WATERTOWN
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Milbank

Sioux Falls

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