After you’re done wearing your last set of Invisalign aligners, you’ll be given a retainer to help you maintain your newly straightened smile. But just how long will you need to use this appliance? Here’s a closer look at what you can generally expect once you’ve finished the process of correcting your crooked teeth.
Why Do You Need to Wear a Retainer After Your Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign puts small amounts of pressure on the teeth in order to move them to new positions. However, it takes time for the bone around the teeth to stabilize. Consequently, if your teeth are left alone, they will start to drift back toward their original alignment. As such, if you don’t want to lose the hard-earned results of your Invisalign treatment, you need to wear a retainer in order to keep your teeth where they’re supposed to be.
Exactly How Long Does a Retainer Need to Be Worn?
Simply put, you should plan on wearing your retainer for the rest of your life. Even after your jawbone has finished stabilizing, your teeth could still drift out of place over time due to aging and other factors. But if you continue to wear a retainer, you’ll be able to keep enjoying your straighter smile for many years to come.
It’s worth noting that retainers can either be fixed or removable. A fixed retainer stays in your mouth 24/7; it is very small and unobtrusive, so you may find yourself forgetting that it’s even there. In contrast, a removable retainer can be taken out at any time. When you first get a removable retainer, you’ll be instructed to wear it for around 22 hours every day. After a certain point, you’ll be able to transition to only wearing it at night.
Protecting Your Straightened Smile in the Long Term
In short, wearing a retainer after Invisalign is a lifetime commitment that helps ensure that your newly repositioned teeth will stay right where you want them to be. As long as you follow your dentist’s instructions regarding how often you wear the appliance, you will be able to protect the results of your orthodontic treatment, allowing you to continue enjoying the improved oral health and the boosted confidence that come with a straighter smile.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew R. Glynn went to The Ohio State University for his dental degree. To this day, he continues to pursue continuing education in a wide variety of subjects, including clear aligners and dental aesthetics. He has helped many patients achieve straighter, healthier smiles with personalized Invisalign treatments. If you’re interested in getting clear aligners to correct your crooked teeth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Glynn at Glynn Dental of Reynoldsburg by visiting his website or calling (614) 864-4618. clear aligners to correct your crooked teeth, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Glynn at Glynn Dental of Reynoldsburg by visiting his website or calling (614) 864-4618.