Novato Cosmetic Dentist Explains Importance of Retainers after Invisalign Treatment

Written by Dr. McConnell on Oct 11, 2016

Patients asking about Invisalign treatment are often surprised to learn that they need to wear retainers once the alignment portion of the treatment is complete. Wearing retainers after completion of your Invisalign treatment by the Novato Cosmetic Dentist should be considered an essential element of the treatment.

Whether you’ve gone through Invisalign treatment or not, your teeth are always moving to some degree and it may not always be perceptible. This means that you will need to wear some type of orthodontic retainer after your Invisalign treatment is completed to maintain the corrected alignment.

If you do not wear the retainer provided by your Novato Cosmetic Dentist, it is likely that your teeth will begin to drift. You may be surprised to learn that going without a retainer for even a relatively short period of time can give teeth an opportunity to shift causing another misalignment.

There are two types of retainers: fixed and removable. As the names imply, these terms refer to the fact that the retainer is either permanently attached to your teeth or is removable. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Your cosmetic dentist can discuss both these options with you and help you make the decision as to which will be most beneficial to your situation.

Certain teeth alignment problems need to be retained longer than others. Therefore, retention is more critical in these cases. Your Invisalign dentist is the best person to determine what is appropriate in your situation.

Now that you’ve completed the Invisalign treatment successfully it makes sense to consider the retention phase as an ongoing and necessary part of your treatment. You’ve already made an investment in a beautiful, even smile. By conscientiously using your retainer you are simply protecting your investment. Please call our dentist office for more information or to schedule a convenient appointment.