{"id":293,"date":"2024-03-04T18:07:31","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T18:07:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=293"},"modified":"2024-04-03T18:10:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T18:10:59","slug":"invisible-improvement-how-long-will-i-need-a-retainer-after-invisalign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/2024\/03\/04\/invisible-improvement-how-long-will-i-need-a-retainer-after-invisalign\/","title":{"rendered":"Invisible Improvement: How Long Will I Need a Retainer After Invisalign?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Invisalign<\/a> is a hugely popular alternative to traditional braces because it can give you a perfectly straight smile without the need for bulky metal brackets. Instead, this method involves wearing a series of clear, plastic aligner trays that fit over your teeth to gently reposition them. Patients love that it doesn\u2019t impact their appearance as dramatically as the tried-and-true method. Plus, treatment can often be completed in 12 months rather than over several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases, however, you may need a retainer once you\u2019ve finished Invisalign to prevent your pearly whites from reverting to their initial placements. If you\u2019re wondering how long you\u2019ll need to wear it, keep reading to learn more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Long Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it can vary depending on your unique circumstances, typically you can expect to wear your retainer for 12 to 22 hours every day for three to six months after you\u2019re done with your last Invisalign trays. This ensures that your pearly whites remain in their ideal alignment until your jawbone rebuilds strength after they\u2019ve shifted. Then, your dentist will evaluate your teeth to determine whether additional time is needed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, most patients are allowed to stop wearing their retainer during the day and instead keep it in only at night or limit the number of evenings it\u2019s needed to 3 to 5 times per week. Only your dentist can give you a more accurate estimate based on their findings during your oral exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens If I Don\u2019t Wear My Retainer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your teeth can slide back into misalignment if you don\u2019t wear your retainer as long or as often as you\u2019ve been instructed to. This is they are connected to your jawbone via elastic ligaments which allows their natural capacity for movement within your mouth. These tissues have muscle memory and are prone to pulling your pearly whites back to their previous positions. Wearing your retainer keeps everything still while giving your mouth time to adjust to the recent changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Should I Care for My Retainer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to keep your retainer in good condition so it can continue to serve its purpose. By caring for it properly, you can avoid a potential setback. Some tips for keeping it in tip-top shape include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n