When the day finally comes for you to get your braces removed at Rawle Orthodontics in Lake Mary, FL the next step is a retainer! Retainers are used to hold the teeth in their new positions and are either removable or permanent.

Removable retainers are fairly easy to use and care for, and they make brushing and flossing easier and more comfortable. The retainer is placed in at night, worn while you sleep, and taken out in the morning. Retainer schedules may vary from individual to individual, but there are generally times during the day when Dr. Christopher Rawle may or may not mandate wearing it. Dr. Rawle stresses that this can lead to forgetfulness, however, and if you don’t remember to wear the retainer you won’t be benefiting from it completely.

Permanent retainers are more effective than removable retainers and are a great option for patients who don’t want the extra responsibility of retainer schedules. The only thing you should be mindful of with a permanent retainer is that it may be more difficult to floss, but Dr. Rawle can help show you how to quickly and effectively do so.

Both may be recommended in some cases with a permanent retainer on the bottom and a removable one on top. Whatever the case may be, be sure to follow Dr. Rawle’s advice when using and caring for a retainer.

When Dr. Rawle removes your braces they will use pliers to remove all the brackets, thoroughly scrape and clean all the glue off your teeth, and take a mold for your new retainer. You will feel a little pressure when the braces are being removed, but no pain. Noteworthy, the newly exposed enamel and your gums will be sensitive at first so Dr. Rawle encourages you to stick to your braces-friendly diet for a little while longer. Just like your braces in the beginning, it will take some time to get used to your retainer, and it will be difficult to speak normally at first. Dr. Rawle recommends practicing speaking, reading aloud, or singing as much as you can.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Rawle.