Using an Orthodontic Retainer at the End of Your Invisalign Treatment

Retainers Norwalk - Westwalk Orthodontic

Keep in mind that Invisalign is a commercial brand of clear aligners, not retainers or braces. As orthodontists, we use various appliances to help our patients reach their desired results. That’s why we can say with confidence, if you want a healthy and beautiful smile, you might need to work on some teeth and jaw alignment issues.

Fortunately, if you’re reading this blog post, you’re most likely almost done with your treatment. However, you might be a little worried about something your specialist said. “You will require retainers after we’re done.” Orthodontic treatment won’t finish when your teeth and jaws reach a certain position.

Instead, the work ends when your specialist can ensure that your dental structures are where they’re supposed to and that they won’t slide back to the wrong position.

As this study shows, partially completed retention stages and non-compliant patients are more likely to suffer from orthodontic relapse. Completing your treatment means sacrificing a lot of time and personal preferences. Don’t let your efforts go to waste. If your orthodontist recommends you use a retainer, it’s for an excellent reason.

Let’s talk a little more about the retainers available to you here at Westwalk Orthodontic Group.

Why You’ll Need a Retainer After You Use Invisalign Aligners

We’re trying to focus on Invisalign users, but this remains true regardless of your choice of orthodontics appliance. During the entirety of your treatment, we’re making sure the appliance gradually moves your teeth and jaws, effectively fighting against your genetic predisposition towards a crooked smile or jaw malocclusions.

We need to be patient in doing so, meaning that we cannot rush your orthodontic treatment to meet a deadline. Moving your teeth before they are ready will create irreparable damage, resulting in severe complications and reducing the efficacy of your treatment.

As suggested by this study, patients who suffer from bone structure problems are more likely to suffer from relapse. If your case advances too quickly, disregarding dental safety recommendations, your jawbones can suffer a lot.

Just as we cannot rush the main portion of your orthodontic care, we cannot skip using an orthodontic retainer to prevent your teeth and jaws from moving back to their original position.

This process will take some time, but it’s the only way we ensure your hard work doesn’t go to waste. If you finish your treatment using Invisalign and avoid following your orthodontist’s recommendations about retainers, you risk orthodontic relapse.

We study your case carefully and recommend the best options at your disposal to provide you with the best possible version of your smile. That hard work also means wearing your retainers when necessary.

The Type of Retainer You Should Use After Your Invisalign Treatment

We will have a more in-depth discussion about retainers, their design, and other details in a separate article. Nevertheless, we want to include an overview of the types of retainers you can have as a choice for the final part of your orthodontic treatment.

We can subdivide your aligners into two categories.

Permanent Retainers

These appliances are helpful if the patient has a history of non-compliance with their dental care. Parents might ask for fixed appliances to help children finish their treatment without any problems. Your orthodontist will bond a thin wire to the back of your teeth (also known as the lingual side of your pearly whites) to keep all dental pieces in place. These fixed retainers can go on your bottom or upper arches.

Please remain attentive to your dental hygiene, as you can suffer from severe plaque buildup if you don’t brush well. Keep in mind that you might need a little more time to brush well, and rinsing with mouthwash will help dislodge food debris from around your retainer.

Using a Removable Retainer

These custom-made appliances help responsible patients ensure they won’t suffer any relapse while enjoying the perks of a removable type of retainer. You could, and should, take them off if you are eating some food or drinking any beverages. Still, you should wear your removable retainer at all times, taking them off only to eat, drink, and maintain your oral hygiene.

After some time, your orthodontists will tell you it’s ok to wear them only at night when you rest. This change will help keep everything in place without causing any additional inconveniences during your daily routine. Until then, please use your appliance as instructed.

How Long Will I Wear This After Invisalign and how does Invisalign retainer Cost?

Well. That’s hard to answer. This final phase will vary greatly depending on your circumstances and genetic factors. One of the main factors is what happens to your dental structures following your treatment.

As your teeth moved, your jaw bone softened. We will recommend you use either option from the available types of retainers to make sure that your teeth won’t move as your body produces new tissues that reinforce your jawbone. This process takes some months. It could range anywhere from 3 to 12 months, and the idea is to help you with permanent retainers or other removable options as your mouth goes back to normal.

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect your orthodontist to clear you for part-time use of a retainer after a full year of responsible use. Make sure you ask your orthodontist about what to expect as you begin your treatment.

How to Get the Best Darien Invisalign Treatment With Us

As you may have noticed, a lot goes on with your orthodontic treatment at every stage. Designing your customized strategy, determining if Invisalign clear aligners are right for you, how long your treatment will take, and more.

If you are looking for the best Darien Invisalign treatment, you can trust certified orthodontists Dr. Gary and Dr. Steve to help you achieve the best possible version of your smile.

Invisalign straightens teeth, and we’ve been helping our neighbors in Darien achieve their dreamed smiles with this treatment. Achieving these goals requires a lot of effort and time. When your specialist gives you a recommendation, it is because they want to ensure your treatment goes well. We want to help create great smiles for a lifetime. Hope to see you soon! Coming from Darien is easy, and we are thrilled to help everyone with the Norwalk orthodontist at Westwalk Orthodontics Group.

Set your next appointment here, or give us a call.

Our Norwalk Westwalk Orthodontics Group office is located 10-15 min away from the maritime aquarium at Norwalk, Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion, Sheffield Island Ferry, Norwalk Historical Society Museum and Mill Hill Park.