Congratulations on the completion of your orthodontic treatment. You must be very proud of the way your teeth look and feel. Your cooperation played a major role in the progress of your treatment and we really appreciated your help.

We will no longer be scheduling any regular visits for you at our office, but we will be happy to see you if you feel you need to see us or need something repaired. Please be aware that these following visits may be subject to a visit/repair fee depending on what needs to be done.

At this time, many patients have questions regarding their retainers. With respect to your upper retainer, we recommend that patients continue to wear this appliance occasionally (approximately 2-3 nights per week) to minimize the small amounts of tooth movement that can occur throughout life due to bone and tissue changes. This should continue for as long as you wish to maintain the current positions of those teeth.

Most patients will have a bonded lower retainer positioned behind the lower front teeth. I recommended that it remain in place for at least two more years. After that time, you have three options:

1. Leave the retainer in place. This is preferred because research has shown that lower front teeth have a tendency to move throughout life with or without ever having orthodontic treatment. This happens in 80% of the population.
2. Have us remove the retainer and a lower removable retainer can be made for you for a nominal fee. This should be worn approximately 3 nights per week as long as you wish to maintain the existing position of your front teeth.
3. Have us remove the retainer completely with the knowledge that there is a chance that some tooth movement may occur as a result of the aging process.

We are proud of your beautiful smile. We hope that when people compliment you on those gorgeous teeth you will tell them we helped.