How long will I Wear retainers after an Invisalign treatment?

Invisalign is fast becoming a preferred orthodontic treatment for people with orthodontic problems. Most people who had previously misaligned teeth used Invisalign to achieve a perfect smile. Even people who used traditional metal braces require Invisalign because they did not consistently wear their retainers.

After orthodontic treatment, it is important to wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontist to prevent your teeth from gradually moving to their previous position. Over time, the jaw bone and teeth move progressively, and the only way to keep your teeth in their newly aligned positions is to wear your retainer.

Do I need to wear my retainer after treatment with Invisalign?

Yes, you do. You have to wear a retainer after you complete your Invisalign treatment and your teeth are perfectly aligned. Invisalign uses a different technology from traditional braces to move the teeth into alignment, but the result is usually the same. You will need a retainer after any treatment that requires straightening or realigning your teeth.

What should I expect within the first few months after my Invisalign treatment?

The surrounding jaw bone holds each tooth in place, and during your treatment with Invisalign, the jawbone will disappear or become soft, a process known as resorption. This allows the teeth to move to a different but perfect position.

After your Invisalign treatment, you would need to wear a retainer to ensure your teeth remain in place for the deposition of the new bone. Deposition of the new jaw bone takes about 9 – 12 months. Within this period, your body will build sufficient bone to hold your teeth,

What should I expect 12 months after my Invisalign treatment?

After 12 months, your body should have built enough bone to hold your teeth in place, so you may not need to wear your retainer as often as you did within the first 12 months after your Invisalign treatment. However, ensure you wear the retainer as instructed by your orthodontist. Most orthodontists recommend wearing a retainer about 2 – 5 times per week after 12 months of orthodontic treatment.  

Your teeth may not move quickly when your jawbone repositions, but there may be a slight inward or forward movement as you age. The change does not happen overnight and usually takes a couple of decades to become noticeable.

What can I do if my retainer gets missing?

If you misplace or damage your retainer, ensure you contact your orthodontist to book an appointment for a replacement. Your orthodontist will provide a new retainer for you after taking your teeth impression. You should get the retainer within a short while to preserve the progress you have made.

Do I need to wear a retainer forever?

After an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign, most people feel reluctant to wear an orthodontic device, but you need to wear your retainer as your orthodontist instructs if you do not want your teeth to move to their previous positions.

If you decide against wearing your retainer, you would be left with your previously misaligned teeth. Although the movement is not obvious, you would notice your teeth looking misaligned over time. If you stop wearing your retainer for a while, you will notice that the retainer is uncomfortable and tight, but you can avoid this with consistent use. Teeth movement after Invisalign treatment is normal due to everyday wear and tear as you chew, swallow, speak and bite down, but your retainer will prevent changes that can ruin your perfect smile.

For guidance on how often you should wear your retainer, contact Chatfield Dental Braces on 020 7183 4041. We also offer Invisalign treatment to realign the teeth, so you can book your Invisalign online to correct your misaligned teeth within a short while.

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Created on Mar 26th 2021 06:18. Viewed 296 times.

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