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Yes! You'll need to wear a retainer after completing your Invisalign treatment.
While Invisalign shifts teeth differently than traditional braces, the outcome is the same – retainers are essential to maintaining your results. No matter the method of teeth straightening, wearing retainers after Invisalign is necessary to keep your smile in place.
What Can I Expect After Invisalign Treatment?
Once your last aligner is removed, your teeth may try to shift back to their original positions, undoing months of progress. This is especially likely during the first few months after Invisalign.
Why does this happen?
When your teeth are being straightened, your jawbone softens slightly, allowing your teeth to move into their new positions. It takes time for this bone to harden again and secure your teeth in place.
Additionally, as we age, subtle changes in tooth alignment are common, which is a natural part of the ageing process.
That's why retainers are essential after Invisalign treatment. They preserve the ideal alignment of your teeth and stop them from moving out of place.
The main reasons to get the retainers after Invisalign treatment are to:
Maintain corrected tooth gaps
Preserve the alignment of your bite
Prevent overcrowding of teeth
Protect against teeth grinding (bruxism)
How Long Will I Need to Wear a Retainer After Invisalign?
Wearing retainers after completing Invisalign treatment is essential to maintaining the position of your teeth and preventing them from shifting back to their original alignment.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect a couple of months after finishing Invisalign:
The First Few Months After Invisalign
During your Invisalign treatment, the bone around your teeth softened to allow them to move into their new positions. For the first three to six months after completing treatment, you’ll need to wear your retainers for around 22 hours a day to help your teeth settle while new bone forms.
Around the six-month mark, your dentist will check to make sure your teeth are stabilizing. However, full bone growth might take nine to twelve months to fully secure your teeth in place.
One Year After Invisalign
Once your dentist confirms that enough bone has developed to hold your teeth in place, you may only need to wear your retainer at night.
In some cases, they might recommend wearing it just three to five nights a week. Regardless of the schedule, wearing a retainer will be a lifelong commitment to keep your teeth from shifting over time.
How Long Do Retainers Last?
Retainer’s longevity depends largely on the type you choose and how well they are cared for. The two main types are removable acrylic retainers and fixed permanent retainers.
Both can last for years if properly maintained through regular cleaning and careful handling. Even though the retainers can last around 5 to 10 years, we recommend switching to a new retainer every 1 to 2 years.
However, their lifespan also depends on factors like:
Wear and tear: The retainer endures pressure from chewing, which can affect its durability.
Proper fit: How well your dentist fits the retainers can impact how securely they stay in place and how easy they are to clean.
While some people have their fixed retainers for many years, others may need a replacement after just a few months, depending on individual circumstances and care.
Regular maintenance and good oral hygiene can help extend their lifespan.
What Happens If I Don’t Wear My Retainer?
If you do not wear your retainer after completing your Invisalign treatment, your teeth can start to shift back.
Over time, they may gradually return to their original positions and become more firmly set there. Though the movement might not be noticeable at first, everyday activities like chewing put pressure on your teeth, causing subtle changes over time.
Fortunately, wearing your retainer a few nights a week (or more depending on your teeth’s condition) can help maintain your beautiful smile and prevent any unwanted shifting.
