Orthodontic Appliances

Retainer

Wearing your retainer faithfully as the doctor has instructed will maintain your beautiful, health smile. The doctor recommends wearing your retainer every night while sleeping, indefinitely!

Whenever you remove the retainer from your mouth always put it in your retainer case! To prevent loss or damage, never wrap your retainer in a napkin or put it in a gym bag, back pack, purse, pocket, etc. Remove your retainer to eat and always put it in your case.

Clean your retainer every day! Brush it with warm, NOT hot, water using your toothbrush or a denture brush which can be purchased at a Dollar Store.

You may want to supplement the brushing by soaking your retainer in a denture cleaner. Place and remove your retainer gently, so that it does not become damaged or broken.

If your retainer is lost, damaged, or broken call the doctor's office immediately to set up an appointment to have it replaced. Do not try to repair the retainer yourself.

Bring your retainer to every appointment so that it can be adjusted if need be.

Bonded Retainer

All teeth move throughout life, especially the lower front teeth, as a component of aging.Your bonded retainer will support the alignment of your lower front teeth, which is a key element in maintaining your beautiful, healthy smile. The doctor recommends wearing your bonded retainer indefinitely.

Be careful when chewing hard, crunchy, sticky foods with your front teeth to prevent dislodging your bonded retainer. Thoroughly brush and floss around your bonded retainer as instructed. Each time you brush your teeth, check your bonded retainer to insure that it is securely attached. If your bonded retainer feels loose or becomes dislodged, call our office immediately, to set up an appointment to recement your retainer.

Remember, now that your braces have been removed, brush and floss your teeth, carefully maintain your bonded retainer and enjoy your beautiful, healthy smile!

Upper & Lower Expander

This appliance is designed to expand your upper arch and provide adequate space for the eruption of your upper adult teeth. For the appliance to work properly it must be activated specifically according to Dr. Swiatek's instructions.

The activation instructions will be provided on the day that the expander is placed. Insert the key into the keyhole (but no further) then gently and steadily push the key from the front to the back of the mouth until you see the next keyhole appear. As you remove the key do not reverse this movement (pushing the key back towards the front of the mouth) simply slide the key straight out.

You may feel some short term pressure on your teeth as the arch expands and possibly a tingling sensation in your cheek bones and the bridge of your nose. Topical anesthetic cream can be applied to soothe any irritated areas. Warm salt water rinses are also very soothing.