Keep molds of your finished treatment?

[Labguy]

After reading through these boards, I just wanted to throw something out there. You might want to think about keeping molds of your mouth after the treatment is done. I've read where people have lost their retainers or they need new ones years after they are done and either the doctor did not keep a final mold (some states they are required, some not) or the patient has moved away from their original orthodontist. If a retainer is lost, and the teeth have started to shift, sometimes just popping in a new one to the corrected bite will get you back to where your smile was newly finished.

[tennesseeditto]

Good information here! Thanks for sharing.

[ashesgap]

See I never would have thought to ask that. Finding out if they keep them is a good idea. And if they don't, I have a few inches of closet space to keep them tucked away.
Thanks

[danz23]

They gave me my one to keep for that reason. And I'll make sure I look after it too coz I'm terrible with getting them done. Small mouth, gagging and all! Hate it! Plus I like my mold. I'd have wanted to keep it anyway. Weird I know!

[cblackbraces]

I just got my braces off this week and they actually gave me my mold and I didn't even have to ask for it. Now it's just a matter of hanging on to it!

[NiTirannosaurus]

I think some molds are destroyed as part of the process of making a retainer (depending on the type?).

My orthodontist ordered me "Clear-Lock Retainers for Life" for daytime wear (I wear a Damon splint at night), and they store a digital 3d dimensional model of your teeth, so if you ever need a new retainer they can make a new mold (using one of those 3d printers I imagine) and send you new retainers as necessary. You start out with 3 retainers (I've got 6, 3 uppers and 3 lowers), and you file away your prescription in a safe place in case you ever need to order new ones.