Invisalign is a hugely popular way to straighten teeth nearly invisibly. The technology is tried and tested and used worldwide. Invisalign can correct most common orthodontic problems in Oshawa. It uses a series of clear plastic aligner trays to straighten teeth.

Treatment can take several months or longer to complete, but it doesn’t stop there once you are done wearing the aligners. You need to wear your Invisalign retainers in Whitby. Read on to discover why retainers are so important for the continued success of your orthodontic treatment.

It Takes Time for Teeth to Settle in Their New Positions

During Invisalign treatment, your teeth are shifted into different positions. For this to occur, your jawbone has to soften and remodel, allowing these teeth to move through the jawbone. Once your teeth are in the final positions, the jawbone needs time to remodel around them, during which new bone is deposited around your teeth to help hold them securely in place.

The First Few Months After Treatment

After finishing your treatment, you must wear your retainers almost continuously, just like aligners. Usually, it is necessary to wear them almost continuously for the first 3 to 6 months after treatment. After this time, we can re-evaluate your mouth to see if new bone deposits hold your teeth securely in position. However, it can take up to a year for your body to deposit sufficient bone to hold teeth in the right places and stabilize them.

A Year After Treatment

At this stage, if there is enough bone around your teeth to help keep them stable, you may only need to wear your retainers overnight. As time passes, you might only need to wear them several times a week, but it is best to commit to wearing them regularly for the rest of your life. Otherwise, there is a risk that your teeth could shift position, a problem called an orthodontic relapse in Ajax.

What to Expect When You Wear Retainers?

While your aligners force teeth to move, your retainers merely retain your teeth in their new places, and no further tooth movements are needed. Therefore, you should find your retainers are comfortable and easy to wear.

Invisalign retainers are made from the same clear plastic material as aligners, making them virtually invisible. This material is durable and long-lasting, so you shouldn’t need to replace your retainers very often. It’s worth bringing them with you to your regular dental checkups at Margolian Dentistry so we can check their condition regularly and order replacements if necessary.

Since you need to wear retainers in the longer term, it’s worth caring for them properly so they last longer. Retainers must be cleaned properly to remove all plaque buildup and to keep them fresh and hygienic. Here are some tips to help keep them in great shape.

• Keep your retainers in the provided containers when you aren’t wearing them.
• Clean them thoroughly using Invisalign’s proprietary cleaner or soap and water. Do not use toothpaste as it is too abrasive, and the retainer may look cloudy and discoloured.
• Remember to remove your retainers before you eat or drink anything other than water, just like you did with your aligners.

Retainers are needed for all types of orthodontic treatment, not just Invisalign. Other types of retainers are available, as they can be firmly fixed in place, which may be an option if you are likely to forget to wear retainers after finishing your teeth straightening treatment. However, a fixed retainer might be trickier to keep clean since it is bonded onto the inner tooth surfaces.

If you are considering straightening your teeth, schedule a consultation with our Invisalign dentist to discover more about this treatment and how it could help you.