Congratulations if you’ve just finished wearing your final Invisalign aligner! You’ve completed the majority of your treatment and now have the smile of your dreams. You may be entering the maintenance or retention stage when your active treatment period comes to an end.
If you are considering undergoing orthodontic treatment, consider Alborzi orthodontics. Dr. Alborzi is one of the best San Mateo orthodontics. She is also one of the best pediatric dentist in Half Moon Bay.
What is Maintenance After Invisalign?
All orthodontic procedures, including braces and Invisalign, require upkeep to keep the teeth in the ideal positions. Your teeth might return to their original positions if you don’t care for them. This will ruin the effort and effects of the orthodontic treatment.
After every orthodontic treatment, a retainer is placed to keep teeth in place. Patients typically need a fixed wire retainer in addition to removable clear retainers. To guarantee the durability of the results, your orthodontist must select the precise style and method of retention based on various treatment-related parameters.
What Is the Retainer Worn For?
Your orthodontist will advise on how often you wear your retainer and whether it’s appropriate to reduce the number of hours you must wear it each day. Before it’s safe to cut back on the hours, you might need to wear your retainers for 22 hours each day. It’s crucial to wear your retainer as instructed and wait for your orthodontist to signal the next stage if you’re wondering when you can stop using your retainer because there is no clear answer or timeline.
Will you require a new retainer?
Wearing your retainer as instructed should keep it in place. Retainers may no longer fit if they aren’t worn and one or more teeth shift, which could indicate a relapse or issue.
Retainers, however, can also become worn out. The fact that they are composed of incredibly thin plastic makes them easy to wear and nearly unnoticeable, but it also increases the likelihood that they may sustain damage. You run the risk of breaking or staining your retainer if you consume anything but water while wearing it. Your retainer will deteriorate more quickly than usual if you grind your teeth at night.
People who don’t put their retainer back in its case and store it securely risk losing or breaking it down the line and needing a replacement. A retainer may undergo irreparable damage if placed in a napkin at the dinner table or left within reach of a pet.
What is a Fixed Retainer?
A tiny wire known as a fixed retainer is permanently connected to the backs of your front teeth as a method of retaining teeth in their proper alignment. Ask your orthodontist if this will be used on the top, bottom teeth, or both the upper and lower teeth during your last appointments.
Will you have to Visit the Orthodontist again?
Orthodontic treatment has distinct effects on different people. Even if the retainers are not worn as directed, some people’s teeth are less likely to shift from their new position. In contrast, others experience tooth movement months or years after their Invisalign treatment is complete. Your orthodontist cannot predict how each patient’s teeth will respond to treatment. The orthodontist must continue to see the patient throughout the retention phase to find out.
You should attend all of your orthodontist appointments. It enables your orthodontist to examine your teeth to ensure there hasn’t been any movement or if a change could jeopardize them, like wisdom teeth erupting. To allow the orthodontist to assess the fit and condition of your current pair of retainers, bring them with you to every appointment. Remember to visit your dentist every six to twelve months to ensure your teeth are free of periodontal disease, decay, or plaque, all of which can negatively affect the health of your teeth.
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