Invisalign Retainers: What to Expect After Your Treatment is Complete

So, you're finally finished with Invisalign and ready to live life with a perfect and healthy smile, right?

Well, we still have one more thing to discuss. This might be the most important part of the Invisalign process when it comes to your long-term health.

Here’s what you need to know about your Invisalign retainers and what to expect from life after Invisalign...

Invisalign Retainers: Keep Your Perfect Smiles For Life

While it’s understandable that you are eager to be done with Invisalign, the fact is…

…Invisalign retainers are just as important as Invisalign itself.

Once straightened, teeth usually won’t stay that way on their own…

Given a chance, they will begin to move back to where they started and the problem you had in the first place will return—This is where Invisalign retainers come in.

Invisalign retainers gently but purposefully remind the teeth to stay straight after your active Invisalign treatment is completed.

It’s advised that all patients who’ve gone through the time, work, and expense of Invisalign should also receive either a fixed or removable retainer. (More about these different types below)

Teeth will move as we age. In fact, it is to be expected.

Invisalign retainers play an important role in many post-treatment benefits, including:

Will I Just Get an Invisalign Retainer or Will I Need Something Else?

Orthodontists tend to decide on the best kind of retainer prior to finishing your Invisalign treatment.

Stabilizing of the gums and bone tissues, pressures from lips and tongue, and other factors tell us what type of orthodontic retainer you should wear and for how long.

Invisalign Retainers

Invisalign retainers are invisible or nearly invisible and look and feel very similar to the Invisalign aligners you wore during treatment.

Most patients who have Invisalign treatment can also wear an Invisalign retainer to maintain their treatment results.

Invisalign retainers generally last a few years, but over time they will need to be replaced…

Your orthodontist is the best resource to help you with any future replacement retainers you may need.

Think of Invisalign retainers like you would a pair of eyeglasses…

…some might only replace them once a decade while others will need a yearly replacement. It really depends on the person and how much the retainers are used.

You may have the option of pre-purchasing several sets of Invisalign retainers when you finish your treatment. Make sure to ask your orthodontist about getting several sets of Invisalign retainers so you’re covered in case you need one in the future.

Hawley Retainers

There may be times that an orthodontic retainers made out of plastic and metal (called Hawley retainers) is advised.

Your orthodontist will make this recommendation based on how your teeth started and what is required to maintain the correction.

Fixed or Permanent Retainers

A third option is a fixed or permanent orthodontic retainer which is a small wire placed on the inside/back surfaces of the lower and/or upper front teeth.

A fixed orthodontic retainer may be used indefinitely to ensure that your teeth remain corrected and you protect your investment.

To learn how to floss a permanent orthodontic retainer, watch the video below.

Invisalign retainers…

…and all other types of orthodontic retainers…

…are an important part of your Invisalign treatment.

Your orthodontist will discuss your retainer options with you and will advise on which type of retainer will be the best option to maintain your perfect smile.

There’s just one last thing we haven’t touched on…what actually goes on during an Invisalign consultation?

To find out exactly what we do during an Invisalign consultation appointment, continue to Chapter 10.

Schedule a Free Invisalign Consultation For You or Your Child

You can schedule a 100% free consultation for Invisalign you or your child with Premier Orthodontics to find out if Invisalign is the best choice for you.

An initial exam and Invisalign consultation is 95% about getting your major questions and concerns answered directly from a professional, like:

Will Invisalign work for me?