The short answer to the question, “Do you have to wear a retainer forever after Invisalign®?” is maybe. Wearing a retainer after Invisalign is an integral part of the overall treatment. Contrary to most people’s beliefs, your teeth are constantly shifting within your mouth. Without a retainer, your smile may revert to the familiar positions of your previously misaligned smile.
A Retainer — REALLY?
Yes, but only if you want to retain your perfect smile following treatment with Invisalign or traditional braces. First, let’s clarify how Invisalign works to align your smile.
Invisalign, as you know, is a series of almost invisible tray aligners. You wear them 20 to 22 hours each day and shift to a new set of trays about every two weeks. Each sequential set of trays uses gentle pressure to shift your teeth into alignment. As you progress through the series, subtle changes in the trays apply pressure differently to continue moving teeth toward the final desired result.
When your treatment is complete, and you are no longer wearing your alignment trays, your teeth may begin to shift back to their previous positions. A retainer is like a memory device — it helps your teeth remember their new positions.
Types of Retainers
Retainers can be used for your upper or lower teeth. The device holds your teeth in place after braces or Invisalign treatment. There are three basic styles of retainers:
- Hawley Retainer
- Essix Retainer
- Permanent Bonded Retainer
Hawley retainers are made using acrylic and bendable wire. They are custom-fit for each patient and are available in various colors and styles. The base unit is adjustable, and the doctor can make slight alterations to focus on specific areas or teeth.
Essix retainers are clear plastic tray retainers that look very similar to Invisalign trays. Align Technology uses the Vivera® retainer, an Invisalign-brand Essix-style retainer.
Permanent bonded retainers are affixed to the back of your teeth. Unlike Hawley and Essix retainers, bonded retainers are not removable. In some cases, the doctor may begin with a bonded retainer for a short period, then switch to a Hawley-style or clear tray retainer.
How to Wear Your Retainer
It is essential to wear your retainer exactly as the doctor instructs. In some instances, you might wear it at night, every night, but be able to leave it out during the day. Many factors help the doctor determine how long and often you should wear your retainer. The good news is that, although you may always have to wear a retainer, the frequency may drop over time as your teeth become more solid in their new positions.
Like Invisalign, you should remove your retainer for eating and oral care. Make sure to put your rinsed retainer in its case when it is not in your mouth.
Keep your retainers clear using a soft-bristle toothbrush and regular toothpaste daily. Never use hot water as that can damage your retainer. You may also deep clean your retainer by soaking it in a solution with a denture tablet or other cleaning method, but this does not replace regular brushing of the appliance.
If you lose your retainer, please notify the Amboy Orthodontics office immediately. Always bring your retainer to follow-up appointments. Don’t swim while wearing your retainer — the clear Essix-style retainers cannot be seen in the water of a pool.
With proper care, your retainer should last for many years.
Your Retainer Is Integral to Your Treatment
Wearing your retainer after Invisalign is a crucial part of the overall treatment. You have spent months or years working to align your smile. After that dedication to your smile transformation, it would be a shame if you didn’t wear a retainer and your teeth shifted back.
In many instances, when people neglect to wear their retainer as prescribed, they return for a tune-up treatment cycle. That could spell more months of wearing braces or Invisalign.
Exploring Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Retainers
As with all things about orthodontics, you probably have many questions. We have taken some time to answer the ones we hear the most. However, please feel free to ask our staff if your question doesn’t appear below.
I Forgot to Take My Retainer on Vacation for a Week — What Do I Do?
If you go on vacation, you have a million things on your mind — and your retainer may not be one of them. We understand that. Typically, a day or two without your retainer won’t affect you much. If your vacation is a week or longer, you may experience some discomfort when you begin using your retainer again after returning home.
Do not force your retainer if you feel more than slight tightness or discomfort. You should make an appointment with Amboy Orthodontics. Likely, you will need a slight adjustment of the retainer.
What If My Retainer Stops Fitting?
If your retainer becomes difficult to insert or feels uncomfortable, please return to our office for a check-up and adjustment. In many cases, the doctor can make slight adjustments to your Hawley-style device on the same day. For Vivera retainers, you may need new trays made based on changes in your mouth.
I Dropped My Retainer, and It Bent a Wire
In some cases, you can push the wire back into place gently. Even in those instances, please get in touch with our office for additional instructions we may have. While it seems like a simple device, your retainer is a precision-crafted orthodontic appliance created with sophisticated computer-aided design programming.
Yes, You Must Wear a Retainer After Invisalign
The doctor will give you complete wear instructions when you receive your retainer. You might need to wear it during the day at first, but that will likely change. Most people only need their retainers at night to maintain their transformed smiles. In cases where your teeth movement has solidified effectively, you may only need it every other night. Whatever your treatment plan is, please follow the doctor’s instructions to maintain your smile.
For additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact our office using the online Contact Form or by calling us at 732 – 612 – 0433. You may also make an appointment using our online Appointment Request form. Dr. Seth Margulies and the entire staff at Amboy Orthodontics look forward to hearing from you.