The Importance of Retainers After Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign is an effective orthodontic treatment that can straighten your teeth in an average of 12 to 18 months. However, the work is not done after the initial treatment ends. It is important to wear a retainer to maintain your results and prevent your teeth from moving into their pre-treatment positions. Not wearing a retainer after Invisalign treatment can gradually affect the appearance of your smile and overall oral health.

The importance of wearing a retainer after Invisalign treatment

During Invisalign treatment, the jawbone becomes spongy. This process, also known as resportion, allows a patient's teeth to move into the desired position and alignment. However, it takes some time for the jawbone to harden again and for the teeth to set securely in their new placement (about nine to 12 months). Additionally, changes in the position of one's teeth are a natural part of aging and may shift forward and inward as one gets older. However, this is not a drastic change and gradually occurs over decades.

Without the support of a retainer, especially in the immediate months after Invisalign, the teeth can slowly move — also known as relapse —into their original positions, undoing all of the time, money, and effort spent during orthodontic treatment. Retainers are an important part of Invisalign and support the following functions:

• Maintaining tooth gap corrections
• Preserving teeth alignment (bite)
• Preventing the teeth from overcrowding
• Protecting the patient from grinding their teeth (bruxism)

Types of Invisalign retainers

Removable retainers

Removable retainers are the most popular type of retainers. These clear orthodontic devices fit the same as Invisalign aligners, making the transition from treatment to retention easier. After the end of the initial treatment, the dental professional takes a mold of the patient's teeth to send to a lab. This lab designs custom retainers to match the patient's unique needs.

Fixed retainers

A fixed retainer is a thin wire attached to the back of the patient's front six teeth, from canine tooth to canine tooth. It is barely noticeable, and the patient should barely feel the wire within a few days after installation. After the last set of Invisalign aligners, the dental professional will immediately attach the retainer to the patient's teeth.

While these retainers are more convenient, as the patient cannot forget to wear them, they are harder to clean and are only suited for the front six teeth, not teeth further back. Fixed retainers also do not prevent the front teeth from shifting into their original position, so patients may still need to wear a removable retainer over their fixed retainer.

Hawley retainer

A Hawley retainer is a removable retainer made of thin metal wire and plastic. The plastic is shaped to fit either the roof of the patient's mouth (top of the teeth) or the inside of the lower teeth. The wires sit over the front six teeth, while loops near the canines can adjust over time. This type of retainer only needs to be worn at night.

How long patients need to wear their retainers for

Wearing retainers after Invisalign retainers is a lifelong commitment. This means that the patient will need to wear them regularly for the rest of their life in order to maintain their treatment results and prevent them from moving. Fortunately, after nine to 12 months, the body will build up enough bone to stabilize their teeth, meaning that the patient will typically only need to wear their removable retainer at night two to four nights a week. However, this will depend on each patient's unique needs.

Cleaning Invisalign retainers

For patients with removable retainers, they will need to remove their retainers at least twice a day. Do not use toothpaste, as this can make it easier for food debris to stick to the retainers. Instead, use plain warm or soapy water and a toothbrush to gently clean the retainers.

Fixed retainers require more care and maintenance than removable retainers. Patients will need to clean the wire gently with their toothbrush. Because this type of retainer is fixed to the back of their teeth, they cannot use floss to get in between their teeth. An interdental brush can help remove any built-up plaque and prevent tooth decay.