< View All Articles

Manhattan Beach Invisalign Dentist Explains the Need for Retainers after Invisalign Treatment

During my consultations about Invisalign treatment, many patients are surprised to learn that they will need to wear retainers once the alignment portion of the treatment is complete. But wearing retainers provided by your Manhattan Beach Invisalign Dentist after completion of your Invisalign treatment is an essential element of the Invisalign process and today I’d like to explain why this is so important.

 You may not realize that, whether you’ve gone through Invisalign treatment or not, teeth are continually moving to some degree even though it is not always be perceptible.  Once the alignment portion of treatment is complete, it’s crucial for an Invisalign patient to wear some type of orthodontic retainer to maintain the corrected alignment.

 If you don’t wear the retainer as prescribed by your Invisalign dentist it is likely that your teeth will begin to drift. You may be surprised to learn that going without a retainer for even a relatively short period of time can give teeth an opportunity to shift causing another misalignment.

There are essentially two types of retainers: fixed and removable. As the names imply, this refers to the fact that the retainer is either permanently attached to your teeth or is removable. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. The team at Manhattan Beach Invisalign Dentistry can discuss both these options with you and help you make the decision as to which will be most beneficial to your situation.

Of course, each patient is unique and certain teeth alignment problems need to be retained longer than others. Therefore, retention is more critical in these cases. Your Invisalign dentist is the best person to determine what approach is most appropriate in your situation.

Now that you’ve completed the Invisalign treatment successfully it makes sense to consider the retention phase as an ongoing and necessary part of your treatment. You’ve already made an investment in a beautiful, even smile. Be sure to take the final step by wearing the retainer provided, and your newly straightened smile will last a long time.