Where do you land in the Invisalign vs metal braces debate? If you’re like many, you’d prefer to go about teeth straightening in the subtle way Invisalign allows rather than walking around with a mouth full of shiny metal that’s visible for the world to see.
What Is Invisalign Treatment?
In recent decades, Invisalign treatment has emerged as a competitively priced alternative to traditional metal braces for people interested in straightening their teeth. The custom-made treatment requires patients to wear aligners that gently push their teeth into their proper positions over time. While the length of treatment typically varies between patients, people undergoing the treatment will generally get a new set of aligners every two weeks or so until their treatment comes to an end.
What Happens After Invisalign Treatment Ends?
As is the case with conventional braces, the goal of Invisalign is to give patients their very best smile at the end of their treatment plan. While your treatment plan will have an endpoint, it’s likely that you’ll continue to see your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist after that date. That’s because you’ll probably have to wear a retainer or retainers to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original positions.
Where Do I Get My Post-Treatment Retainers?
As a patient of Clearsmile Orthodontics, you won’t have to search high and low to find post-treatment retainers. Instead, you can simply order your retainers through our Charlotte, NC office.
Although there are many types of retainers available in the marketplace, most Invisalign patients use Vivera retainers after their treatment is over. Like Invisalign aligners themselves, Vivera retainers are nearly invisible to onlookers even when they’re standing close by. Made with a proprietary material, Vivera retainers are approximately 30 percent stronger than comparable products, making them a great choice to maintain your improved smile.
How Long Do I Have to Wear Retainers After My Invisalign Treatment?
Just like there is no one set Invisalign treatment plan that’s appropriate for every patient, there isn’t one time period for wearing retainers after the treatment. Your Invisalign dentist or orthodontist will provide recommendations for how long you’ll need to wear your retainers based on your unique circumstances.
As a general rule, patients are advised to wear their retainers full-time immediately after they complete their Invisalign treatment. The more your teeth settle into their new “homes,” the less you’ll have to wear your retainers in most cases. Over time, it’s possible that you’ll only have to wear your retainers while you sleep.
Although that’s possible, you should know that your teeth will continue to shift as you age. This is a natural part of the aging process, which typically results in teeth moving forward. To keep your teeth in proper position, you may have to wear your retainers at least part-time throughout adulthood.
Learn More Now
We encourage you to learn more about Invisalign treatment now. If you’d like more information about what to expect after your treatment is over, we invite you to contact or visit our practice on South Boulevard in the Queen City today.