Invisalign treatment, just like any orthodontic service, can take months, and sometimes years, to complete. If you’re nearing the end of your journey towards a straighter smile and are wondering what’s next, you might not be thrilled about the answer. However, it’s the reality of every patient who has undergone orthodontic treatment, and it’s wearing a retainer. Read on to learn why you need to wear a retainer after finishing your Invisalign treatment and for how long.
Why are Retainers Necessary After Orthodontic Treatment?
Whether a patient gets braces or clear aligners, they’ll need to wear a retainer after treatment. This is because the fibers and muscles in your gumline holding your teeth in place were stretched over the period of your treatment. You can think of these fibers like rubber bands that, as soon as they aren’t held in place by an aligner, will want to pull your teeth back into their original positions.
Wearing a retainer will help keep your teeth into their new, aligned spots within your mouth, allowing your gum and bone to stabilize the roots of your teeth and helping them either prevent shifting altogether after a certain amount of time, or drastically reduce it.
Will Your Retainer Look & Feel Like an Invisalign Aligner?
The great news is that your retainer will likely look and feel just like your Invisalign aligner, a low-profile, clear plastic tray that’s easily removable and hardly noticeable. That way, whether you have to wear yours for the rest of your life, months, or years, you can count on them being comfortable and easy to use and clean!
How Long Do You Need to Wear Your Retainer For?
After you finish your Invisalign treatment, your dentist in Frankfort will let you know how long you’ll need to wear your retainer for. In some cases, patients need to wear their retainer for the first full two months after treatment to secure their teeth into their new places as the fibers and bone stabilize. In other situations, your dentist may recommend only wearing them at night. After the first two to four months, your dentist may advise you to wear them less frequently, so be sure to follow-up with them.
Although the thought of wearing a retainer can sound inconvenient and dampen your victory of getting to the finish line of your orthodontic journey, they’re incredibly important to use. This is especially true if you want to avoid needing to go through Invisalign treatment again in the future!
About the Author
Dr. Christine Snow has extensive post-graduate training and education, as she’s dedicated to staying up-to-date with all of the latest advancements in the dental field. Having attended renowned dental education institutions like Spear Education and the Dawson Academy, she’s always excited to share her knowledge and offer her patients high-quality, leading-edge dental treatments like Invisalign clear aligners. To learn more about this treatment or find out if you’re a good candidate, visit Snow Family Dental’s
website or call 708-799-5162.
