Can Invisalign® Be Used as a Retainer?

If you have dental alignment problems, your dentist at Align Dental can recommend orthodontic treatment. Depending on the condition of your teeth, the dentist may recommend traditional braces or Invisalign®. The clear aligners help shift teeth gradually. When you get to the end of the treatment, you will receive a retainer. 

Some retainers are made of clear plastic and look like Invisalign aligners. However, retainers play a role different from aligners. So, can you use Invisalign as a retainer? 

Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign aligners are plastic, custom-made trays that help shift the misaligned teeth’s position. This form of orthodontic treatment is ideal for people looking for a convenient and effective way to enhance their smiles. The aligners are clear, and they come in sets worn for one or two weeks at a time. 

Each set gradually moves the teeth to the desired position. The aligners are removable but need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. The treatment can take six to 18 months, depending on the extent of the misalignment. 

Retainers and Aligners

Retainers are dental devices different from aligners. They can accomplish limited dental movement, but they are not as effective as aligners. Retainers help maintain the results of orthodontic treatment, and they come in different forms. 

Some devices are just plastic and wire, while others are clear, removable trays. Wearers should have them on consistently to stop the teeth from moving back to their original position. The period to wear retainers will depend on each case. 

Can Invisalign Be Used as a Retainer?

Many people ask whether they can use the last set of the Invisalign treatment as retainers. It is essential to realize that aligners lose their integrity after a few weeks. It is the reason you need to change the set every two weeks. 

The aligner plastic can wear down and break, or it might lose the rigidity needed to retain the teeth. You can use the final Invisalign set as a retainer for three to four weeks; it becomes ineffective after that.

Choosing a Retainer 

It is usually necessary to obtain a retainer after completing the straightening treatment. It might mean an added cost, but it is beneficial. A retainer will help keep your teeth in the new, straight position for years. 

Of retainers in the market, the most common ones are Vivera® retainers and Essix retainers. Others are the MEMOTAIN® retainer, the Hawley retainer, and the fixed or permanent retainer.

How Long Will You Wear a Retainer?

After you complete orthodontic treatment, your teeth will be in a new position. However, they will not remain in place permanently if you do not wear retainers. You will receive instructions on how to wear the retainers. If not worn as recommended, the teeth can move back out of alignment. 

After Invisalign treatment, you should wear retainers 22 hours a day for the first five or six months. After that, you can wear the retainer only at night. Most people have made wearing retainers every night a lifelong habit. 

Wearing a retainer will help maintain the results of your Invisalign treatment. It is crucial to take care of the retainers. Clean them thoroughly after you remove them using the recommended cleanser. 

For more on using Invisalign as a retainer, visit Align Dental at our office in Boston, Massachusetts. You can call (617) 340-5300 today to schedule an appointment.