Invisalign became available to the public in the late 1990s, and it transformed the field of orthodontics forever. Today, it has helped over 8 million patients achieve the straight, healthy smile they’ve always wanted – in a fraction of the time too! While this teeth-straightening solution is unique in many ways, it is similar to traditional metal braces since you must wear a retainer to preserve your hard-earned results. But for how long? Read on for the answer!
Do You Have to Wear Your Invisalign Retainer Forever?
Yes and no. Immediately following your treatment, you will be instructed to wear your retainers between 12 and 22 hours per day for approximately six months. From there, you can transition to wearing them solely at night, allowing you to go throughout your day without worrying about them. Around the 12-month mark, you can transition to wearing your retainers three to five nights per week. So, while you should be wearing them consistently throughout your lifetime, you won’t need to wear them “forever.”
What Happens If You Don’t Wear Your Invisalign Retainer?
As you work through your series of Invisalign trays, your aligners will gently guide your teeth into a more aesthetically pleasing, fully functional position. It takes some time for your teeth to “settle,” which is why it is recommended that you wear your retainer the most in the months immediately following your treatment. Unfortunately, if you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth will begin to revert back to their previous position, leaving you at square one.
How to Protect Your Invisalign Retainer from Damage
The last thing you want is to accidentally misplace or break your Invisalign retainer, causing your new and improved smile to potentially be compromised in the process. Fortunately, you can prevent that from happening by following many of the best practices you used to keep your aligners in pristine condition. To start, make sure to remove them when you eat or drink and clean them regularly. It is also a good idea to store them in a sturdy (preferably bright-colored) case when they aren’t in use to protect them from being tossed into the trash can or breaking into multiple pieces on the floor.
Initially, having to wear a retainer after completing your treatment with Invisalign can seem like a bit of a nuisance. However, it is a small, but necessary, part of keeping your straight, healthy smile intact for years to come!
About the Practice
Led by Dr. Crovatto and Dr. Edwards, our team at Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry has been helping patients in our community achieve their dream smile since 1983. We are proud to offer both traditional metal braces and Invisalign at our Orange Park dental office, so we can address everything from minor crowding to severely rotated teeth with ease. If you are struggling with orthodontic issues like these or would simply like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or give us a call at 904-272-0800.