Everyone can get the smile of their dreams with Invisalign. These removable, clear plastic aligners are suitable for anyone at any age, and they align your teeth to perfection without anyone knowing. With Invisalign, treatment can take a year or more to be completed. You will have to wear the aligners at all times during treatment. When treatment has been completed, you will have to wear a retainer to maintain the treatment.
Taking care of your newly straightened teeth after treatment is important to ensure that the treatment is permanent and that all your patience and time is not wasted. Get across to us at London Braces for consultation for Invisalign and what follows after treatment with Invisalign.
What will my retainers look like after treatment?
After treatment, the retainers you will wear will be very similar to the Invisalign aligners. The retainers are made from the same BPA-free plastic material and the same advanced digital technology as the aligners and will fit snugly over the teeth. Like the aligners, the retainers are removable; unless you want a permanent option, then you would have to speak with your dentist about a fixed retainer.
A fixed retainer consists of a thin wire that is bonded permanently to the front teeth’ inner surfaces. It might be worth considering if you feel that you will forget to wear a removable retainer from time to time. You only have to worry about cleaning around the wire when brushing or flossing. After eating with fixed or permanent retainers.
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Why is it important to wear a retainer after orthodontic treatment?
The teeth are forced to move from their previous positions to a new one during orthodontic treatment. This movement affects the tissues and bones surrounding the teeth, and it will also take time for these tissues to settle and stabilise after the teeth have been permanently moved. The time for these tissues and bones to settle can take a year or even more. Especially if there is a great degree of movement during treatment.
After treatment, there is a great chance that you can have a relapse if you do not wear your retainers. Orthodontic relapse is when the teeth begin to move back to their previous positions before treatment. If ignored, it could mean wearing braces repeatedly, leading to a waste of time, money and effort. Wearing retainers is the best way to prevent an orthodontic relapse and maintain the results you have achieved.
Will I have to wear the retainers all the time?
Once treatment has completed, and likely a year afterwards, you will have to wear retainers all the time. When the tissues and bones surrounding the teeth have settled, you may then have to resolve to wear the retainers only at night or for a certain number of hours every day. This is to ensure that your teeth do not slip back to their previous positions.
How long will I have to wear the retainers?
Throughout our life, the bones and tissues surrounding the teeth are capable of moving and remodelling. This is why Invisalign and other orthodontic treatments are successful, even for adults and older people. Irrespective of our age, our teeth shift positions all the time whether or not we have received orthodontic treatment or not. To avoid these unwanted movements, you will have to wear retainers overnight for a long period or even for the rest of your life. It all depends on the severity of the movement regarding your treatment. They can be worn for about five years or more for fixed retainers.
Will my retainer affect my everyday life?
The retainers are very similar to the clear, removable aligners. They have to be removed when eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, or playing contact sport. Whenever you remove your retainers, be sure to clean them before putting them back on, and also remember to store them properly.
If you use a fixed retainer, you will be shown how to clean around the wires using either a floss threader or a piece of dental floss. It is important not to bite hard objects with the front teeth so that the wire is not dislodged.
Regular dental care for a great smile
After orthodontic treatment, you should not care for your teeth any less than you usually would. Always brush your teeth twice every day, and floss once a day. This is the easiest way to maintain good oral health and protect your teeth from decay, plaque or periodontal problems.
Additionally, visit your dentist regularly for examinations and deep cleaning. Besides cleaning and examination, seeing your dentist will guarantee that your teeth are free from dental problems. Because they will be spotted on time and treated or prevented. You should know that poor dental care or hygiene creates an opportunity for dental problems like decay and plaque and affects general body health.
Visit London braces if you require an experienced dentist or orthodontist for a consultation, dental checkups, dental treatment, cleaning and treatment of orthodontic problems.
