Do I Really Need a Retainer After Invisalign?

Long Beach, CA – Whether you opt for standard braces or Invisalign to straighten your smile, you’ll have to wear a retainer once treatment is complete. This is because your teeth will want to shift back to their previous locations, no matter which option you used during the treatment phase. Dr. Heather Desh, an orthodontist serving patients throughout the Long Beach area explains why retainers are important after Invisalign treatment.

So, why is a retainer so important?

Without a retainer, all the hard work you put in during your treatment will be for naught. Our teeth shift a bit naturally due to everyday wear and tear. However, after orthodontic treatment, it takes some time for your mouth to adjust. Your teeth have been guided through bone to get to their new locations. New bone needs to grow around the teeth so they are stable in their new positions, and the periodontal ligament needs to adjust to allow the teeth to stay put.

Your retainer does exactly what its name implies – it retains your teeth in their new locations. In short, it protects your hard work and investment, so your smile stays as straight as the day you finish your last Invisalign tray.

How long do you need to wear a retainer?

Retainer wear is unique to each patient, just as your treatment was. However, it’s a good idea to wear your retainer for life. While you may wear it around the clock in the beginning, in no time you’ll be able to switch to wearing it only at night.

Dr. Desh recommends her patients wear their retainers long-term. Teeth shift throughout our lives. As we age, our teeth naturally move slightly forward and inward, altering our bites. Wearing your retainer will prevent this.

What happens if I forget to wear my retainer?

If you slip occasionally, you won’t notice any major changes to your bite. However, you will notice a shift in your bite if you go for an extended period without your retainer. If you forget to wear them one night, simply pop them in the next morning for a few hours and then return to your normal schedule.

If you go for a prolonged period without wearing your retainers, you may notice that they don’t seem to fit the next time you remember to wear them. If this is the case, you may need a new set created to accommodate any shifts that have taken place. Any time you notice your retainers don’t seem to fit properly, call HD Orthodontics to schedule an appointment to determine what has happened. Dr. Desh and her team are happy to help get you back on track.

What do I need to know about caring for my retainer?

The good news is, you’ll care for your retainer just as you did your Invisalign aligners. Clean your retainer every time you take it out of your mouth, using the same methods you used to clean your aligners. You can soak them in denture cleaner or brush them with a non-abrasive toothpaste or clear anti-bacterial soap to keep them clean.

You’ll remove your retainer when eating or drinking anything but water, so remember to keep your retainer case with you. Get into the habit of placing the retainer in its case when it isn’t in your mouth to reduce the risk of losing it or accidentally throwing it away. And remember to keep your retainer away from pets – more than one patient has had a retainer ruined by a pet mistaking it for a chew toy.

If you have any questions about your retainer wear, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Desh. She and her team will keep your smile on track. Simply call 562-283-6590.