Virtual Retainer Checks

Wheeler Orthodontics wants to keep your smile on track in the most efficient and helpful way possible so we offer virtual retainer checks for existing patients. If you do not have any issues with the fit of your retainer or questions/concerns about how to wear your retainer, your retainer check appointment may be virtual.

Please only complete the following steps if you have been previously contacted by our office informing you that you are a candidate for a virtual checkup. The steps are simple and we have outlined them below.

Send an email message to [email protected] (secure email). The message should include the following:

1. 1. Your name and date of birth.
2. 2. Number of hours you wear your retainer per day.
3. 3. Number of days per week that you wear your retainer.
4. 4. Your assessment of the retainer’s fit (Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor).
5. 5. Your assessment of your retainer’s condition (Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor).
6. 6. Any concerns or questions you would like to share and
7. 7. Seven photographs (see below for details and examples).

The photographs can be taken with a mobile device and do not need to be perfect, but there are a few things you can do to help them along. 

• • Take them in good light (light in front of you),
• • Stand in front of a solid background,
• • Ask a friend or family member to take the pictures,
• • Have two spoons available.

Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions about this process! Once we receive your email submission, Dr. Wheeler will evaluate the photos and information you have provided and our office will contact you with his recommendations.

PHOTOGRAPH #1 – FRONT VIEW WITHOUT RETAINER(S)

Face the camera directly and bite down naturally with your back teeth touching and show a big smile.

To show as many teeth as possible, try using spoons or your fingers to pull your lips and cheeks away from your teeth. Here is a good example:

PHOTOGRAPH #2 – RIGHT VIEW WITHOUT RETAINER(S)

Bite down naturally with your back teeth touching and use a clean finger or a spoon to pull your lips and cheek away from your back teeth on the right side of your mouth. Take a picture of your back teeth on the right. Here is a good example:

PHOTOGRAPH #3 – LEFT VIEW WITHOUT RETAINER(S)

Bite down naturally with your back teeth touching and use a clean finger or a spoon to pull your lips and cheek away from your back teeth on the left side of your mouth. Take a picture of your back teeth on the left. Here is a good example:

PHOTOGRAPH #4 – LOWER TEETH WITHOUT RETAINER(S)

Use a spoon or clean fingers to pull your lips and cheek away from your bottom teeth as you open your mouth wide. Tilt your chin down toward your chest. Hold the camera perpendicular to the biting surfaces of your lower teeth. When as many lower teeth are showing as possible, take a picture of your bottom teeth. Here is a good example:

PHOTOGRAPH #5 – UPPER TEETH WITHOUT RETAINER(S)

Use a spoon or clean fingers to pull your lips and cheek away from your top teeth as you open your mouth wide. Lift your chin as much as you can. Hold the camera perpendicular to the biting surfaces of your upper teeth. When as many upper teeth are showing as possible, take a picture of your top teeth. Here is a good example:

PHOTOGRAPH #6 – FRONT VIEW WITH RETAINER(S)

Face the camera directly and bite down naturally with your back teeth touching and show a big smile.

To show as many teeth as possible, try using spoons or your fingers to pull your lips and cheeks away from your teeth. Here is a good example:

PHOTOGRAPH #7 – IMAGE OF RETAINER(S)

This picture is important so that Dr. Wheeler can evaluate the condition of the retainer(s). Place your retainers face down on a solid plain surface (dark is better) and take a picture of them. Here is an example: