Introduction 

At Sonneveld Orthodontics, we believe that a smile plays an important role in who we are – and that it reflects our emotions, confidence and attitude.  Because we know the importance of your smile, Drs. Tom and Craig Sonneveld and their team are very excited to welcome you to their office.  We treat adults, children, and teens in the Land Park, Tinley Park, and Oak Forest, IL areas with the highest quality orthodontic care that will give you the best results for your perfect smile.

The Key to a Long-Lasting Smile: Retention Care at Sonneveld Orthodontics    

Welcome to the retention phase of your orthodontic journey with Sonneveld Orthodontics. As we celebrate the moment as your braces come off, we also embark on an important chapter to ensure your smile stays just right: the use of retainers. Our team, serving Land Park, IL and the surrounding communities, is committed to guiding you through this difficult time with custom tailored retention strategies.     

Maintenance of retainers: A fresh Approach To Oral Health      

Retention Care is important to maintain retainers. A retainer is your ally in maintaining your orthodontic achievement, but it requires proper protection. For removable retainers, we recommend gentle cleaning to keep them free of bacteria. Avoid using a toothbrush to protect clear aligners from scratches—use cleaning solutions and tablets instead. Flossing with threader, regular brushing and using an interdental brush for fixed retainers ensures improved cleanliness and durability.      

Always protect your retainer by keeping it in a case when not in use. Direct heat can distort the retainer’s shape, so be sure to store it in a cool, safe place. With care, your retainers will continue to support your new smile for years to come.   

Time to adjust     

For many patients, the transition to wearing a retainer is seamless, so initial drooling and adjustments to speech are normal and temporary. The freedom to remove your retainer for eating and dental hygiene welcomes you with ease, eliminating dietary restrictions and simplifying the cleaning routine.   

It’s important to wear your retainer continuously in the beginning—full-time wear is essential for the first two weeks. Gradually, you can shift to wearing it at night. 

Retention therapy with Orland Park, IL Orthodontists    

Why is retention important?   

And after orthodontic treatment, your teeth can come back to their original position without retainers, destroying all your hard work. The periodontal ligaments that hold your teeth in place need time to stabilize in alignment. Wearing retainers as recommended is the only solution to protect your alignment and ensure your beautiful smile lasts longer.    

Three types of retainers  

• There are generally three types of retainers, each suiting in a particular situation. The most common are Hawley retainers, which are thin, tongue-shaped, molded acrylic with wire that holds your teeth in position. The Hawley Retainer is simple, durable and easy to remove – it can even be custom made in different colors and designs for plastic arches. If necessary, it can also be adjusted to correct slight tooth movement.

• Clear aligners are one more famous style of retainer, which seems to be like the Invisalign framework. These retainers are made of slender, straightforward plastic, intended to fit cozily over your teeth. Its primary benefit is that it is undetectable – no wires are apparent. While they are easy to put on and take off, they are less durable than Hawley and patients with certain conditions are not advised to use retainers such as teeth grinding.

• Finally, fixed retainers may be an option for some people, especially on lower front teeth.    As their name suggests, these retainers do not come off, but they are not visible. They stay in place for several months or more, and are used when there is a high risk of the teeth shifting back into position. Don’t worry, as these retainers are permanent, they won’t be visible like your braces. 

Your Tinley Park Orthodontist 

At Dr. Thomas C. Sonneveld’s office, our main goal is to give top notch orthodontic consideration in a fun-accommodating climate. We utilize the most recent advancements in orthodontic innovation, including invisalign and modern supports, to give you the most ideal treatment in the simplest manner. At our preparation, we appreciate that the result of orthodontic treatment isn’t just about what happens during treatment, it is similarly about what happens after treatment.

Contact your Tinley Park, IL Orthodontist

If you have more questions about retention or orthodontic health, feel free to contact us on our page.