Many patients are uncertain about the necessity of using retainers over the long term after completing Invisalign treatment.
Let’s explore retainers to better grasp their significance and why they are so essential to sustaining Invisalign outcomes.
Why a Patient Needs a Retainer After Invisalign Treatment
After receiving Invisalign treatment, patients must wear retainers to keep their alignment. To keep the teeth from moving back, retainers assist in stabilizing your teeth in their new placements. Wearing retainers guarantees long-term effectiveness and long-lasting treatment results since teeth have a natural inclination to shift.
How Long You’ll Wear Your Invisalign Retainer After Treatment
The time required to wear retainers following Invisalign treatment varies from person to person. For the first few weeks, orthodontists frequently advise wearing retainers full-time (24 hours a day) to achieve tooth stability.
The wearing schedule could change to solely wearing them at night after this initial phase. It’s crucial to remember that wearing a retainer daily may be necessary for longer than just the first few weeks.
Orthodontists frequently recommend wearing retainers for the rest of your life, but less frequently as time passes. This is so that the alignment that has been established, and the possibility of tooth movement relapsing may be avoided.
Teeth have a natural inclination to shift. The specific timetable for wearing retainers will be determined by how often you visit the orthodontist for checkups.
Tips for Caring for Retainers
Here are some recommendations for maintaining your retainers:
- Soaking your retainers in cleaning crystals after each use is recommended to keep your retainers clean.
- Hot water should be avoided since it may deform the retainers.
- When not in use, keep them in a case for protection.
- To avoid damage, refrain from chewing on the retainers.
Use a toothbrush to carefully clean Invisalign retainers, and then rinse with warm water. Ideally, you should avoid toothpaste since it can be overly abrasive and cause scratches in your retainers, which could trap bacteria.
Visit the Orthodontist After The Invisalign Treatment is Complete
For your Invisalign treatment to continue producing positive outcomes, retainers are necessary. Our knowledgeable staff at The Chicago Dental Studio can assist you with post-treatment care.
Schedule a consultation right now to take the next step on your journey to a confident smile.
