Invisalign Retainer

Invisalign treatment offers correction of almost all common bite abnormalities. For results to last, however, patients should use an Invisalign retainer after treatment. How long patients have to wear a retainer after Invisalign depends on a number of factors.

Key Advantages of Invisalign

Invisalign corrects teeth without giving patients an unsightly smile. With no wires to tighten, Invisalign involves less pain and fewer appointments. Because the plastic aligners are removable, users can easily brush and floss and do not have to worry about food particles sticking to brackets. The ability to remove the aligners also means that patients are at lower risk of breaking their braces during treatment.

Retaining Results

Like any orthodontic treatment, Invisalign requires the use of a retainer after the initial corrective period to keep teeth from drifting back to their original positions. In some cases, patients only need to wear their retainer for several months afterwards. However, other patients may be advised to wear their retainer every night for life. Lifetime use of the Invisalign retainer is more likely to be necessary when patients have bite irregularities such as gaps, open bites and improperly rotated teeth.

Candidacy and Consultation

Invisalign is designed to work on jaws that have finished developing, which means that only adults and adolescents older than 18 can receive this treatment. To determine candidacy, all patients have to visit our Los Angeles Invisalign dentist for a consultation. If candidacy is confirmed, our dentist will design a unique Invisalign treatment plan using dental impressions and computer imaging. Some patients may also be shown images of how their teeth will look after correction.

Invisalign provides a convenient, aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional braces. Its results can last for life, but patients will need to use an Invisalign retainer to maintain their improvements. Because the retainer is only worn at night, patients are free to eat and live as they normally would during the days after initial Invisalign correction. Patients can contact our dentist for a consultation to learn more about Invisalign and the role of the retainer.