Wearing Retainers After Invisalign: What You Need to Know

Straightening your teeth has never been more convenient than with Invisalign treatment.

Once completed, you’ll have a healthier and better-aligned smile.

But before you finish your last appointment, your dentist will provide you with a retainer.

Want to know how long you have to wear it?

Keep reading to find out.

Why Do I Need a Retainer After Invisalign?

Retainers are a critical aspect of teeth straightening treatment, whether you choose braces or Invisalign. Without wearing a retainer, your teeth will eventually revert to their prior position, leaving gaps in your tissue. Wearing a retainer helps keep your teeth in their new positions while allowing your bone and gum tissue to adjust.

How Long Do I Need to Wear Retainers?

Even after completing teeth straightening treatment, your teeth can still shift months later. Therefore, you’ll never completely stop wearing your retainer. How often you need to wear your retainer changes over time.

Here’s a brief overview of how long you’ll need to wear your retainers after Invisalign:

The First 3-6 Months After Invisalign– During this first stage, you should wear your retainer for at least 22 hours daily. You can remove it to floss, brush, and eat, just like you did with Invisalign.
6 Months to 2 Years After– After the six-month mark, you can move to wear the retainer only at night while you sleep.
2 years+ Post Invisalign– Stay diligent with retainer wearing. Wear it at least every other night.

Invisalign in Weyburn, SK

To maintain the alignment of your teeth and prevent the need for future orthodontic work, you’ll need to wear Invisalign retainers for the foreseeable future. However, you’ll need to wear them the most often for the first six months. Your dentist will work with you to determine the best retainer schedule for your smile.

Finding your Invisalign dentist is the first step. For Invisalign treatment in Weyburn , turn to Smiles on Souris.