Do I Need to Use a Retainer After an Invisalign Treatment?

Thanks to Invisalign®, people who want to straighten their teeth can finally do so discreetly. However, the only way to ensure a successful treatment is to stay committed to the process, and it does not end with the last set of aligners. When the teeth have finally moved to their proper position, patients need to wear retainers, or the entire Invisalign® treatment may have been for nothing.

The need for retainers

After going through months of Invisalign® treatment, the journey does not end there. To ensure the teeth remain in their current and correct position after treatment, patients must wear their retainer according to the dentist’s instructions. The function of the retainer is to reinforce the new positions of the teeth and keep them there.

This process is important because, after wearing the aligners for several months for teeth straightening, the last thing the patient wants is for the teeth to start shifting again. As the teeth moved during treatment, new bone materials were been deposited around them and need time to solidify in their new spots. Retainers have a vital role for many months or years after to ensure the teeth remain where they should be.

The retainer schedule

The dentist may instruct some Invisalign® patients to keep wearing their final set of aligner trays beyond the two weeks until the retainer is ready. A few options are available, including permanent retainers for the upper and lower teeth, usually connected behind the teeth to keep them hidden and still functional for maintaining the teeth’s alignment.

Some Invisalign® patients may only need to wear their retainers consistently for six to 12 months before they switch to wearing them at bedtime only. At that point, the dentist may recommend wearing the retainers while sleeping for another six months, followed by several nights a week for a lifetime. Generally, retainers are necessary for maintaining properly aligned teeth.

The trouble with stopping

Many patients may decide to stop wearing their retainers totally after a few months. This is not advisable. It is understandable that after months of commitment to wearing Invisalign® aligners almost every hour of the day, it feels good to finally not have trays on the teeth. However, without retainers, the teeth may move gradually back into the previous crooked position. All the time put into the treatment will be wasted, as well as cost and effort.

Retainers are usually removable, like the aligners, so patients will still be able to enjoy their favorite meals. The option of invisible retainers is also available and often preferred by many due to their strength, durability and likeness to Invisalign®. However, like the aligner trays, retainers require proper care and maintenance to keep them looking good and invisible on the teeth.

Final note

Wearing retainers after undergoing Invisalign® treatment is essential. If you have further questions or concerns about the teeth straightening procedure, book an appointment with the dentist to get answers.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.

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