Invisalign: Q&A

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How Long After Invisalign Do I Need a Retainer?

After invisalign would I have to wear a retainer forever? I have a gap and my front left tooth is crooked. Many people includeing my bf say that I shouldnt even bother my teeth because he thinks that they are fine (he had really bad teeth, like horrible when he was younger and i believe had to wear braces for like 3 years or more, so he wants me to stay away from anything that does something to your teeth). I want my teeth straight, but my only problem is I read someone's review and they said that they have to wear a retainer forever. I don't mind having to wear them for a while, but I really don't want to wear them forever, if i have to ask a ortho, could they be able to tell me if i have to wear it forever before they even start me with invisalign because I really don't want to?

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by hasila in pennsauken, nj

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Forever retained

If you want your teeth to stay put you need to marry your retainer. No divorce unless you want your teeth to start to drift. Wear around the clock for the first 6 months or so then night time forever. Naturally one retainer won't last forever so get used to the idea of investing in the future. This should be part of the discussion before you decide to proceed with Invisalign.

Retention, to some degree (not full-time), is required for lifetime.

Whether one has had braces/Invisalign or not, teeth are continually moving to some degree and it may not always be percetible. Your teeth probably don't look the same today as they did 5, 10, or 15 years ago. Continual biting, chewing, and other functional forces help to cause these alignment changes in tooth alignment over time. That being said, certain teeth alignment problems need to be retained longer than others. For example, open bites, gaps between teeth, twisted or rotated teeth... more

After Invisalign, retain your retainer forever

The retainer should be worn forever after any orthodontic treatment. There are many different kinds of retainers, some of which are cemented (you don't have to take these off - they aren't visible at all), some are worn at night only.

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Choices for retention after Invisalign

As a general dentist who has been treating patients with both conventional orthodontics (braces) since 1995 and using Invisalign since 2000, I'm usually not in favor of bonded retainers after any kind of orthodontic treatment. They are difficult to clean around, and let's face it, most people don't even floss regularly without having to go under a bonded bar! AND the lower front teeth is the most common area to place the bonded retainers and that is one of the... more

Retaining the Benefits of Invisalign

Immediately upon the finish of orthodontic treatment using Invisalign, retainers must be worn. It is highly recommended that the removable retainers be worn full time for three months after the completion of active tooth movement using Invisalign and then every night (while sleeping) afterwards.

How long for retainers

Retainers should be worn immediately after active orthodontic therapy (braces) is complete. Retainers should be worn indefinitely because teeth will have a tendancy to move and relapse over time. The amount of time of retainer wear tapers over time - but ingeneral the rule is if you put it on and it feels snug then you should wear it overnight. Wear it as many nights a week as it feels snug.

Forever at night

Retainers work just as well at night compared to wearing them all the time a recent study reported. Some can wear them one or two nights per week. I wear mine every night because I grind my teeth. Plus, I brush on fluoride then insert my retainer. Even without orthodontics your teeth will move lifetime. Wisdom teeth do not cause crowding. Therefore, retainers are a lifetime commitment.

Retainers after Invisalign

At my practice 70% of all consultations are from patients who had metal braces and then never wore their retainers. Teeth have a tendency to move a little, especially after orthodontic treatment. Teeth can also move if you are a bruxist and grind your teeth at night. We recommend retainers are worn regularly, weekly at night, if only 1-2 times per week. This may be forever, but its got to be less hassle than taking off your makeup every night etc. Retainers retain teeth.... more

Retainers may be forever!

Teeth behave just like the rest of our body.Changes are ongoing as we mature. Not that teeth change in shape - but they do change in position. This is true whether or not there has been orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist may prescribe retainers attached to the inner surface of your teeth or may recommend removable retainers. In general retainers are used more in the early stages following completion of tratment and the amount of wear decreased, but rarely stopped... more

Retain only the teeth you want to keep straight!

Retain only the teeth you want to keep straight. This statement reminds me of the bad dental joke "You only have to floss the teeth you want to keep!" Although there is a lot of truth to these statements, wearing of an Invisalign retainer should not be a big issue as a big advantage of Invisalign treatment over braces is their great comfort. Usually the first couple years, you wear your aligners each night and then can taper down to one to two nights a week.... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

Invisalign: Q&A