Congratulations on completing your treatment! We hope you love the way your teeth look and want to make sure they stay that way! This is why we are providing you with an Essix retainer.

Wearing your Essix

When putting on your Essix (clear retainer) make sure you align the retainer with your teeth and use your fingers to push the Essix onto your teeth. Do not bite it down into place because it can crack. At first it will feel snug but the more you wear it the plastic will loosen up.

Make sure you wear the retainer all the time and only remove the Essix to eat and brush your teeth. The only thing you can have with this retainer is cold or room temperature water. Prior to putting the retainer on after eating make sure you brush your teeth. If you are in a place that you cannot brush your teeth, like at a restaurant, make sure you rinse your mouth. This retainer is held tightly against your teeth so you want to keep your teeth and retainer nice and clean to prevent any plaque buildup or cavities.

Cleaning the Essix:

In the morning and evening, soak the retainer for 10-15 minutes in cool water with half a tablet of denture cleaner such as Kleenite or Efferdent (make sure the cleaner does not have mouthwash in it).

If you are wearing the retainer at night, clean it every morning.

After soaking the retainer, rinse with cool water and brush lightly with a soft bristle toothbrush as needed.  Do not use toothpaste or mouthwash to clean the retainer.

When removing the Essix place in your retainer case. Do not wrap in a napkin and keep it away from any dogs or cats. They love the smell and will chew the plastic.