Do I Have To Wear A Retainer After My Invisalign Treatment Is Complete?

Invisalign in Cibolo is a popular type of orthodontic treatment designed to help patients get a straight, better-looking smile. But once you go through this treatment, you will have to wear a set of retainers as instructed by your orthodontist.

The reason is simple: while the Invisalign trays do a great job and pull your teeth into their most optimal position, not wearing a retainer can mean your teeth will go right back to where they started. If you have more questions about wearing a retainer post Invisalign treatment, keep reading this blog post to find out everything you need to know!

How Long Will You Need to Wear Your Retainer?

While it can slightly differ from patient to patient, most people will need to wear a retainer for around 12 months after getting Invisalign treatment:

1. The First 3-6 Months

Invisalign actually causes the jawbone to soften slightly to allow the teeth to shift position. During the first 3-6 months post-treatment, it’s essential to wear the retainers for at least 22 hours a day, just like with the Invisalign trays.

Essentially, while you’re not continuing to shift the teeth, you still need to give the jaw enough time to bounce back and support the teeth in their new position.. Once you hit the 6-month mark, you’ll need to come in for an evaluation.

2. 6-12 Months After

If your orthodontist notices the jawbone has recovered, they can recommend wearing the retainers only while sleeping or even just wearing them a few times a week.

However, it does depend on your specific case. Some patients may need to wear their retainers for 22 hours for 12 months or longer simply because their jawbone needs more time to recover.

You should also know that even if you “graduate” to nighttime use only, you’ll need to wear the retainers for the rest of your life if you want to keep your smile.

How to Care for Your Retainers

Since you’ll need your retainers for the rest of your life, it’s important to take proper care of them to avoid unnecessary replacements.

Here are some tips that can help:

• Put the retainers in their containers when you’re not wearing them
• Remove them before eating or drinking
• Don’t drink hot beverages with your retainers on, as this can change their shape
• Clean your retainers every night with soap and water or special tablets

Starting Your Invisalign Treatment

If you’re wondering if Invisalign is right for you, Cibolo dentist Niraj Patel DDS can help you find out. Our proactive provides quality and compassionate orthodontic treatment that helps our patients get the picture-perfect and healthy smile they deserve.

To get started, please book an appointment at Cibolo Family Smiles online.