“Begin with the end in mind” — Dr. Robert Ricketts
What is Retention?
When the braces are removed, the retention stage begins. Teeth that are not retained in their new positions will move! Therefore, we use long-term retention. After all, why should you invest your time and money in a healthier smile without a plan to keep that nice, new smile.
How Long is Retention?
In the past it was thought that a period of 2 years of retainers was sufficient to allow the body time to adapt to new tooth positions. This was based on the belief that the body would then maintain the new positions on its own. Research performed in university orthodontic departments has shown that this time period was woefully underestimated!
Many patients who did not receive long-term retention have found themselves going back, or wanting to go back, for additional orthodontic treatment.
Dr. Lawrence’s Philosophy on Retention
Fortunately, one of Dr. Lawrence’s orthodontic professors and mentors at Loyola University, Dr. Andrew Haas, was a pioneer in the theory and implementation of long-term, individualizedretention.
Individualized, because, like orthodontic treatment plans, orthodontic retention plans should be specific to each patient, based on their original problem.
Dr. Lawrence has built on what he learned from Dr. Haas, and has also devised many more techniques that retain and enhance the long-term esthetics and function of the teeth.
Dr. Lawrence is now proud to teach these advanced techniques to the next generation of orthodontists at Case School of Dental Medicine.
Long Term Results
The major problem area in orthodontic retention is the lower front teeth because these teeth crowd as a normal part of aging. This crowding happens in everyone, whether or not they wore braces. The crowding and changes usually begin appearing in the late teens and will gradually continue throughout adulthood.
Dr. Lawrence’s long-term retention techniques eliminate these annoying changes which, if allowed to happen, would impact the esthetics of the teeth, the patient’s ability to keep their teeth clean, and ultimately, the patient’s oral health.
When you see our long-term results, we think you’ll agree that Dr. Lawrence’s methods of long-term retention are the right answer.
