Orthodontic Retention - A Lifetime Commitment?

If you have been to our office for an orthodontic consultation, you have more than likely heard the term 'retention'.  Retention is the phase of orthodontic treatment required to keep teeth in the corrected position after they have been properly aligned with braces or Invisalign.  Without a phase of retention there is a tendency for the teeth to relapse or shift.  The teeth won't typically return completely to their initial position, but to avoid any unwanted shifting or movement, we recommend that every patient use some type of retention following orthodontic treatment. 

There are many different types of retainers and your orthodontist takes several factors into account when deciding which kind of retainer would best maintain the position of your teeth.  

Fixed Lingual Wire Retainers

These retainers are custom wires that are glued to the inside of the lower and upper front teeth.  The advantage of the lingual wire is that it is fixed on the teeth so the wearer doesn't have to remember to put it on each day. You can't lose or forget to wear the fixed retainer so there is very little concern of relapse. With the fixed retainer however, food can get trapped under the wire so the wearer has to brush and floss around the wire each day. Also, biting into hard foods can cause the wire to break or the bonding resin (glue) to come loose.  

Removable Retainers

Another type of retainer we offer our patients is a clear 'Essix' retainer which looks very similar to an Invisalign aligner. With this type of retainer, the teeth are fixed in position while wearing it. This retainer needs to be worn full time for the first three months of the retention phase. After that, night-time wear on a regular basis should keep the teeth in good alignment.


Yet another type of retainer is the 'Hawley' retainer. This retainer has an acrylic pad which fits in the roof of the mouth and a wire which can be seen on the outside of the teeth. Typically this retainer is used in between phases to maintain space or expansion for patients that require two phases of orthodontic treatment. 


Lifetime Retention

In talking with patients, your orthodontist will explain the importance of your retainer and exactly how long it should be worn. Typically, retainers are recommended to be worn all the time, 24/7, for a period of time. This can vary for each individual, but is often at least three months after the braces have been removed or Invisalign treatment has been completed.  After that, night-time retention is recommended for at least 24 months and then most patients can work their way down to wearing their retainer one or two nights a week. 

'Lifetime retention' does not mean wearing a retainer everyday for the rest of your life!  A good rule of thumb, however, is to keep in mind that some kind of retention will be required as long as you want your teeth to remain straight. 

Ongoing Professional Development at Surrideo Orthodontics

At Surrideo, we pride ourselves on staying current with the latest developments in the field of orthodontics. This March, our Doctors and staff will take part in two professional development conferences; the Alberta Society of Orthodontists conference as well as the 3M Incognito conference.

The Alberta Society of Orthodontists - Banff, AB March 9-10, 2012

Smile Design-
Aside from straightening teeth, smile analysis and smile design have become key elements of orthodontic treatment planning. Achieving a ‘balanced smile’ requires understanding the elements of smile design such as size of teeth, the relationship between the teeth and the soft tissue, and appropriate gingival display.
At the ASO conference, Dr. Mark Berkman, past-President of the Michigan Association of Orthodontists and nationally recognized educator on craniofacial growth will present an informative session on understanding the balance and aesthetics of smile design.

Class II Correction –
When Orthodontists talk about Class II correction, they are referring to what we all call “overbite”. This usually occurs when the upper teeth sit too far ahead of the lower teeth, causing a bad bite or “malocclusion”. Elastics can be used to correct this problem, but sometimes an appliance is required to adequately correct an excessive Class II bite.
At the ASO conference, Dr. Lisa Alvetro a nationally recognized orthodontist from Sidney, Ohio, will present on Forsus Class II correctors. Dr. Alvetro specializes in the use of Class II correction through the use of fixed appliances like the Forsus appliance. Her session promises to give an in-depth review of every aspect of the Forsus appliance from clinical examples to practice efficiency tips.


3M Advanced Incognito Course – Calgary, AB March 30, 2012

At Surrideo we offer the most aesthetic orthodontic options including Invisible Incognito Orthodontic Braces. These completely aesthetic custom made appliances are placed behind the teeth so that no one will know you are wearing braces.

At the Advanced Incognito Appliance System course, Dr. Adam Schulhof, an Incognito specialist, will draw from his experience to present a variety of clinical case examples. This session will focus on how to treat patients with special situations and will include valuable discussion on treatment strategies and alternatives.

When is the Best Time for Children to Start Orthodontic Treatment?

At Surrideo Orthodontics, we take a conservative approach to the timing of orthodontic treatment. While the American and Canadian Associations of Orthodontists recommend that the initial evaluation by an orthodontist should occur around the age of 7, we are often happy to see children for their first visit at about 8-9 years of age. Evaluation at this early age allows us to start treatment if necessary, or to set up an appropriate recall schedule to monitor growth and development, allowing us to choose the most advantageous time to begin treatment. Beginning treatment at the right time ensures the greatest result.

Drs. Cohen and Yue spend a great deal of time discussing timing of orthodontic referrals with their general and pediatric dental colleagues. This dialogue allows your child's dentist to know which issues require early intervention, and which ones can wait until your child is a little bit older. However, if they are unsure, they will likely send you early so as not to miss an important opportunity.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic evaluation?

Early evaluation provides both timely detection of problems and greater opportunity for more effective treatment. Prudent intervention guides growth and development, preventing serious problems later. When orthodontic intervention is not necessary, the doctors can carefully monitor growth and development and begin treatment when it is ideal.

What are some of the reasons for early treatment?
Waiting until children have all of their permanent teeth allows for the shortest, most efficient treatment - and that is our preferred treatment philosophy. However, there are instances when early intervention can provide huge benefits. Some of these situations can include:
 Creating room for teeth that are so crowded, they will be completely blocked from erupting into the mouth
 Creating facial symmetry through influencing jaw growth
 Reducing the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
 Preserving space for unerupted teeth
 Reducing the need for tooth removal
 Reducing treatment time with braces

Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is not merely for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves bad bites (malocclusions). Malocclusions occur as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment. Malocclusions affect the way you smile, chew, clean your teeth or feel about your smile.

Why should malocclusions be treated?
According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusions can result in a variety of problems:
 Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease.
 Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping.
 Crossbites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear.
 Openbites can result in tongue-thrusting habits and speech impediments.
Ultimately, orthodontics does more than make a pretty smile—it creates a healthier you.

Braces Friendly Recipe

Macaroni Lasagne
from Cooking for the Rushed: The Healthy Family by meal planning expert, Sandi Richard


1 lb or 450 g extra lean ground beef
1 Tbsp onion flakes
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp crushed chilies (optional)
2 1/2 cups whole wheat macaroni
1 jar of your favorite pasta sause (24-28 oz or approx 700ml)
2 cups grated low-fat cheddar cheese

-Preheat oven to 375F.
-Brown meat in a larger nonstick fry pan at med-high until meat is no longer pink.
-Add onion flakes and spices while meat is browning.
-Place macaroni in boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes. You want the pasta very firm.

-Layer the following ingredients into a large cake or lasagne pan in this order: 1/2 of the fully cooked beef, 1/2 of the cooked macaroni, 1/2 pasta souce and 1/2 cheese. Repeat again.

-Bake uncovered in preheated oven. Set timer for 20 minutes or until top layer of cheese is bubbly.

Set the table...and dinner is served!

7 Tips to Avoid Holiday Eating Disasters

For adults with braces, holiday social functions with munchies and appetizers can be tricky to navigate.

Most resign themselves to saying "I'll pass" to the spinach dip for fear of it getting lodged in their teeth for the whole evening!

This holiday season, the authors of "The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort food with a Gourmet Touch" are offering seven tips to help ensure a carefree smile for those with braces at any holiday gathering:

-Go for the cauliflower in the veggie tray. It's softer than brocolli and won't show up as much on braces if tidbits go astray.
-Try potato chips and pita bread as less crunchy alternatives to tortilla chips and hard crackers.
-In general, think "white" when you choose food. It's okay for once to skip the healthier greens.
-Take extra-small bites and nibble food from the side of your mouth. Strong molars can usually handle tougher work, and your front teeth will still gleam.
-If you're contributing baked goods, include a slice of fresh bread along with them in a tightly lidded container - the moisture will transfer to cookies and bars, softening them up; this even works a bit on store baked goods.
-Carry a tiny spiral self-covered brush in a pocket or purse. This item is a lifesaver for freeing stuck bits from between brackets during a quick trip to the restroom.

Clean Teeth, Healthy Smile

With braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever. That's because braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped and insufficient cleaning can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands.

At Surrideo, we help our patients maintain excellent oral hygiene habits during orthodontic treatment through the Ortho Care at Home Plan by Crest OralB. The program provides patients with a comprehensive, personalized plan, both in-office and at home, empowering them with the knowledge and tools to adopt an oral hygiene routine to help achieve a greater level of success in this difficult area.

It is based on a simple 5 level oral hygiene rating system that lets patients know how they’re doing at each visit: 1-poor, 2-needs improvement, 3-average, 4-good, 5-excellent. Each new starting patient will take home:

· Ortho care home booklet and healthy mouth assessment card with pictures to visually monitor the results of daily oral hygiene
· Oral B Triumph electric toothbrush (studies have shown this toothbrush to be the most effective brush in the industry)
· Crest Pro Health Toothpaste
· Crest Pro Health mouth rinse

At every appointment we also assess our patients oral hygiene and indicate where improvement is needed. Following the guidelines below, our patients can enjoy a new, beautiful, healthy-looking smile sooner.

-Floss before you brush - at least once a day. To make this easier, use a floss threader or SuperFloss, a special type of floss for cleaning around appliances such as braces.
-Brush, at minimum, twice a day for two minutes at a time.
-Rinse twice a day for 30 seconds each time.
-Make wise food choices and avoid actions that could damage your braces.

Invisible Incognito Braces

One of the major concerns we hear from adults about straightening their teeth is that they don't like the look of braces. Even though there are some highly aesthetic and clear options available, they would rather live with crooked teeth than wear braces.

At Surrideo Orthodontics, we have the solution to this problem with invisible Incognito Braces. With Incognito, the braces are placed on the back side of teeth and completely hidden from sight so that we can straighten your teeth without anyone knowing you are wearing braces.

Incognito Orthodontic Braces are 100% customized to follow the contours of your teeth for comfort as well as precise and efficient treatment. Customized wires that don't require adjustments often mean fewer appointments and quick results.

Ask us about Incognito Orthodontic Braces and start improving your smile with confidence!