Your teeth should be clearly straighter when your Invisalign treatment is over. To keep these benefits, though, careful follow-up is needed. If you want your smile to stay as beautiful as it looks after the aligners come off, you need to know what to do next.
A dentist can show you how to take care of your new smile, especially if you are thinking about Invisalign in Burlington to straighten your teeth even more.
The retainers – the key to stability.
Wearing a brace is one of the most important things you can do after Invisalign is over. Invisalign braces are meant to move your teeth into the right place, but they do not hold your teeth in place like retainers do.
After treatment is over, your teeth need time to get used to their new position. Wearing a retainer can help keep them from moving. With retainers, the bones around the teeth get stronger and more rigid, which stops the teeth from slowly moving back to where they were.
Most likely, your dentist will tell you to wear the retainer full-time for a few months at first. The frequency may go down after this first phase, and you may only need to wear your retainer at night after that.
Do what your doctor tells you, though, because the exact amount of time and times you need to wear your retainer will depend on your case.
Why your teeth may shift without retainers.
When your Invisalign treatment is over, you might want to stop wearing your retainer. But it is important to remember that your teeth can move without it. If your teeth have been out of place for a long time, they might not stay in place without help right away.
It takes time for the bones around your teeth to get used to their new places. You might lose some of the progress you made during treatment if you stop wearing your retainer too soon.
Types of retainers.
There are different kinds of retainers, and your orthodontist will tell you which one will work best for you. Some retainers can be taken out, while others are glued to your teeth and can not be taken off.
People like clear plastic retainers because they are easy to hide and do not show much. Some may be made of metal and plastic, which makes them stronger and last longer.
No matter what kind you get, it is important to follow the directions. They might be hard to get used to at first, but the benefits are worth it. The orthodontist will tell you how often and for how long you should wear them.
How to care for your retainers.
It is just as important to take care of your retainer as it is to wear it. Just like your teeth, braces can get plaque and germs on them, so it is important to clean them often. To clean your retainer, use a soft toothbrush and cold water.
Do not use hot water because it could change the shape of the device. Keeping your retainer clean keeps it from smelling bad and makes sure it fits right.
You should also never leave your retainer somewhere it could get lost or broken. When not in use, always put it back in its case. Even though retainers are made to last, they can break or lose their shape if you do not take good care of them.
Why regular check-ups are important.
You will still need to see your doctor for regular checkups after your Invisalign treatment is over. These checkups help make sure that your teeth stay in place and that the retainer is still doing its job. Your orthodontist will keep an eye on the progress and make changes as needed over time.
Your orthodontist may take new molds or pictures of your teeth every so often to see how they are changing. Adjustments can be made to fix any problems with your teeth that have moved a little or the retainer that does not fit right anymore before they get worse.
