What Can I Expect Once My Invisalign Treatment Is Complete?

Invisalign is one of the most popular orthodontic treatments available today, especially among older teens and adults. As an orthodontic device that doesn’t involve metal braces, Invisalign makes orthodontic treatment possible for those who have a professional life or don’t want their treatment to be too obvious.

But what can you expect after your Invisalign treatment? If you’re wondering what comes after your treatment, you’re not alone. Many patients are curious about what they can expect afterward, so here’s a quick overview to help answer some of your most pressing questions.

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After Your Treatment Ends

When you’ve finished your Invisalign treatment, your orthodontist will explain what comes next. If you’re eager to learn ahead of time what these instructions include, here are a few things that you can expect.

Retention

Following the active phase of your treatment when you were wearing your Invisalign aligners, you’ll start the retention phase. Unlike the active phase of treatment, this phase will last for the rest of your life. 

The goal of this phase is to keep your teeth where they are now. During your Invisalign treatment, your teeth moved a lot, and your aligners kept them in place. While you may no longer need to wear your Invisalign aligners, you will need retainers to ensure that your teeth don’t move back to how they were before.

The good news about retainers is that they don’t need to be worn 24/7. Depending on your orthodontist’s recommendation, you may only need to wear your retainers a few nights a week, though wearing them every night will ensure that your teeth don’t have the chance to move.

Once you start the retention phase of your treatment, you no longer need to wear aligners during the day. Instead, you’ll have plastic retainers to wear at night. While you may be tempted to avoid wearing them, this is not recommended. You may not notice your teeth moving, but you’ll certainly notice the change when you attempt to wear your retainers again.

Why Are Retainers Necessary? How Long Do I Need to Wear Them For?

Retainers work to keep your teeth straight and where you want them. Since you aren’t making any more significant changes to the position of your teeth, you don’t need something in place all day. However, you will still need to put in a little work and commit to wearing your retainers at night. 

Your orthodontist will give you instructions about wearing your retainers and an estimate for how long you should wear them, but don’t be surprised if they recommend you wear your retainers for the rest of your life. This is the best option to avoid unwanted shifting of your teeth over time.

How Do I Take Care of My Retainers?

You’ll be wearing your retainers for the foreseeable future, so it’s vital that you take care of them. With proper care, your retainers will last as long as you need them to.

You must never eat with your retainers in. Food can get stuck in them and cause damage. It’s equally vital that you avoid drinking any hot or sugary drinks as they can also damage your retainers. If a drink is too hot, it could melt the plastic or cause it to change shape.

When you take your retainer out for the day, it’s vital to rinse it off. This will help ensure your retainers last longer and stay clean. You should also clean them at least once a day.

Conclusion

Invisalign aligners are an excellent way for adults and adolescents to benefit from orthodontic treatment without the stigma of wearing metal braces. After your treatment, you will need to continue wearing retainers, but this is required even if you chose metal braces for your active treatment. Fortunately, you’ll still be able to partake in your regular daily activities as before!

Dr. Alan Wong

Dr. Alan Wong is a dedicated orthodontist who loves helping his patients achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. He is committed to providing gentle, effective care in a patient-centered environment. Dr. Wong is also a strong believer in continuing education, so he can provide his patients with the latest and greatest treatment options.