Retainers
Retainer Options After Invisalign
Retainers play a critical role in maintaining the results of your Invisalign treatment.
What is Retainer?
So, you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, and your teeth look amazing. Now that you have the perfect smile, everything should be fine, right? Wrong!
Even after the process is complete, you still have to maintain all the wonderful alterations provided by the teeth aligners. People who previously had crooked teeth, overbites, and other abnormalities are at risk of having those issues again. Retainers play an important role in preserving the treatment provided by Invisalign aligners. They help to maintain closed gaps, prevent teeth from crowding, prevent grinding teeth, and retain bite correction. There are three retainer options that you can choose after Invisalign:
Invisalign Retainers
Invisalign retainers are the most common choice for post-treatment care. They are durable, lasting for years, but may require replacement depending on individual use. Regular checkups with Dr. Eshom will determine when a new retainer is necessary. For convenience, you can purchase multiple retainers in advance.
Hawley Retainers
Hawley retainers, made from plastic and metal, are often recommended for patients with more severe pre-treatment conditions. These retainers offer a structured fit, ensuring that teeth remain in their corrected positions.
Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers consist of a small wire attached to the back of your teeth. With no need to remember to wear or replace them, permanent retainers are ideal for those who want long-term stability without the hassle of upkeep.
Benefits of Wearing Retainer
Prevents Teeth from Shifting
Retainers ensure that your teeth stay in their corrected positions, preventing them from gradually shifting back to their original alignment over time.
Maintains Your Smile
By wearing retainers, you preserve the new and improved smile that Invisalign helped you achieve, ensuring it stays perfect for the long term.
Protects Against Daily Wear & Tear
Retainers provide support for your teeth against natural daily activities like chewing, biting, and talking, which can otherwise cause subtle movements.
Safeguards Your Investment in Invisalign
Wearing retainers helps protect the time and financial investment you’ve made in Invisalign, ensuring the results last as long as possible.
Retainer Wear Duration
You’ll need to wear retainers as long as you want your teeth to stay in place, potentially for life.
The first year after treatment is crucial as your jaw bone settles, requiring consistent retainer use. After the first year, retainer wear can be reduced to a few times a week.
- Duration: Life Time
Retainers Care & Maintenance
Cleaning Your Retainers
Proper retainer care is essential for maintaining oral health. Avoid toothpaste, which can scratch the retainer, and instead, clean it daily with soap and water or soak it in water with cleaning tablets designed for retainers. This simple routine helps prevent bacteria buildup and staining.
Regular Checkups
Regular visits to Dr. Eshom ensure that your teeth are stable and not shifting. During checkups, your bite will be assessed, and retainers will be inspected for wear or damage. Early intervention will keep your smile aligned.
