When you have alignment issues but don’t want to wear traditional braces because they’re bulky and uncomfortable, clear aligner therapy could be a viable treatment option. Our dental clinic offers Invisalign® clear aligners to correct mild to moderate orthodontic concerns.
With Invisalign, you won’t have to worry about brackets and wires poking into your cheeks, gums and lips, and your favourite foods aren’t off limits during treatment. Simply remove your aligners when you eat, brush and floss your teeth and then put them back in when you’re finished.
And once you’ve completed treatment, you’ll wear a retainer to maintain your results and keep your teeth from shifting back to their original position. As a final step to the Invisalign process, your custom retainer plays a pivotal role in protecting your investment and helping you maintain your results.
Why Teeth Move After Treatment: The Science of Relapse
You might be wondering why you need to wear a retainer after Invisalign treatment, and we make sure to explain the science so our patients understand how important this final step can be for maintaining the best results.
Here are the three biological factors that cause your teeth to shift after treatment:
- Elastic recoil — Your teeth are secured in your jawbone by connective fibres known as periodontal ligaments. During treatment, your clear aligners stretch these ligaments, but once you’re no longer wearing your aligners, the ligaments contract and go back to their original position. A retainer keeps that from happening.
- Bone remodelling — To move a tooth to a different position, your aligners break down one side of your jawbone while building up the other side. This new bone tissue is softer than the rest of your jawbone, and it takes months or even years for it to fully harden. Wearing a retainer supports your new bone during this process.
- Natural pressure and aging — Biting down, chewing and natural pressure cause your teeth to move, and as you get older, your jawbone density changes. These factors can lead to shifting, and a retainer helps you avoid this issue.
Fixed vs. Removable Retainers: Which is Right for You?
At our Brisbane dental clinic, we offer both fixed and removable retainers so you can choose the option that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.
A fixed retainer is glued to the back of your teeth, providing continuous support and helping you forget about losing it or forgetting to put it back in your mouth. However, a fixed retainer can make brushing and flossing a bit more difficult, which could lead to plaque buildup.
A removable retainer can be taken out when it’s time to brush and floss, but it can lead to issues if you forget or choose not to put it back in when you’re finished. You might also lose or break your retainer, requiring more frequent replacement.
Long-Term Maintenance: How Often Should You Wear Your Retainer?
For best results, we recommend wearing your retainer for 12-22 hours each day for the first year, and then eventually, you’ll only need to wear it at night. We’ll discuss this long-term maintenance plan with you and monitor your progress when you visit us for routine preventive check-ups, making adjustments as necessary.
What to Do If Your Retainer Breaks or Is Lost
We realise that losing or breaking your retainer is a real possibility, so if this happens, there are some steps you can take to keep your teeth from shifting:
- If you still have a set of aligners, put them in until you can replace your retainer.
- Contact our dental clinic right away to discuss next steps and arrange a visit.
- Don’t attempt to repair your retainer yourself; it’s best to gather the pieces so we can assess the damage.
How to Clean and Care for Your Removable Retainers
Cleaning and caring for your removable retainer can keep it looking and feeling its best for the duration of your treatment plan.
These are the tips we recommend:
- Rinse your retainer with warm water when you take it out of your mouth; this will wash away food particles and bacteria
- Brush your retainer with a soft toothbrush and antibacterial soap before placing it back in your mouth.
- Once a week, soak your retainer in lukewarm water and a retainer tablet or Invisalign crystals.
- When you’re not wearing your retainer, always store it in its case.
Professional Monitoring: Your Post-Invisalign®️ Check-ups
To keep your teeth properly aligned, we recommend routine follow-up visits every few months once you complete your Invisalign treatment.
These routine check-ups allow us to:
- Ensure your jaw is functioning properly
- Evaluate your retainer for wear or damage
- Check to see that your teeth are positioned as they should be
- Assess whether your ligaments and bones are adapting
Questions About Clear Aligners in Brisbane City, QLD?
If you have any questions about Invisalign or retainers, we hope you won’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced dental team. At Edward St Dental, we strive to help every patient make informed decisions about their oral health and achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they deserve.
To learn more about how clear aligners may be the answer you’ve been looking for, please feel free to call us on (07) 3221 5855.
We hope to hear from you soon.