Many Australian patients who require orthodontic
treatment are now choosing Invisalign over traditional metal braces.
Invisalign involves wearing clear, removable aligners which fit comfortably
over your teeth and gently and gradually move them into the desired position.
Rather than tightening traditional braces, Invisalign uses a similar technique
by replacing the aligners approximately every month. Given that Invisalign
aligners can be temporarily removed, there are many benefits in using treatment,
such as better oral health during the treatment process as patients can brush
and floss their teeth much easier.
Unfortunately, some patients who undergo
orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign falsely believe that all the hard work
is over once treatment has finished. Well, this certainly isn’t the case, and
healthy oral hygiene is a continual process to ensure your new teeth and smile
remain in great shape. To ensure that your treatment is as successful as
possible, it’s paramount that Invisalign patients wear a retainer for a
specific period of time post treatment until their teeth and bones are
comfortable in their new position. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at
these retainers to understand why they’re needed and to highlight their importance.
Why do I
need to wear a retainer?
Patients who have finished Invisalign treatment
are required to wear a retainer so their teeth don’t relapse into their old
position. During treatment, the aligners gradually move patients’ teeth, bones,
and surrounding tissues into the desired position through the bone remodelling
process. Once teeth have been straightened, it takes time for them to become
settled and stabilised in their new position. Most patients will generally need
to wear their retainer for at least a year post-treatment.
How
frequently will I need to wear my retainer?
When your Invisalign treatment has concluded,
patients will be required to wear their retainer constantly until their bones
and surrounding tissue have been stabilised. Your orthodontist will
periodically examine the condition of your teeth to ascertain their progress
and whether you can reduce this frequency. Generally, after one year patients
will only need to wear their retainer for a few hours each day or just while
they’re sleeping. Bear in mind that adult teeth continue to change their
position irrespective of whether they've had orthodontic treatment, so the
longer you wear your retainer, the longer your teeth will stay in their ideal
position.
What does
a retainer look like?
Your retainer will look very similar to your
Invisalign aligners in that they are clear and made from plastic. Just like
your aligners, your retainers will fit comfortably over your mouth and can be
temporarily removed when required. If you don't like the idea of wearing your
retainer continuously, you can ask your orthodontist for a fixed retainer,
which is essentially a thin wire that is fixed to the inside surfaces of your
teeth. The only downside with fixed containers is that they make flossing your teeth
significantly more difficult.
How will
my retainer affect my everyday life?
As explained, your retainers are very just like
your Invisalign aligners, so you'll have to remove them when eating, brushing
your teeth, flossing, and playing sports. Whenever you remove your container,
it's imperative that you store it securely and adequately clean it again before
use. This will ensure that your both your retainer and your oral hygiene
remains in a healthy condition.
Keeping
your smile radiant
Once you've had Invisalign treatment, your
retainer is designed to keep your teeth in the same position until your bones
and surrounding tissues have stabilised. To ensure your teeth and gums continue
to be healthy and you can smile with confidence for years to come, all you need
to do is practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a
day. If you’re interested in Invisalign or would like some more information,
phone the friendly team at Clear Smile Orthodontics on 07 5593 3733.
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