Invisalign retainers are typically worn after treatment to help keep your teeth in place, but this can be hard to prepare for if you’ve never worn one before. Here are some tips on how to prepare for Invisalign retainers, so you can keep your teeth straight and well-aligned for years to come.
Choosing an Orthodontist
Just like picking a doctor, you’ll want to carefully select an orthodontist when choosing your retainers. As an experienced professional, you want someone who knows what they’re doing and will make sure everything is positioned properly before you leave. To start your search, look for referrals from your dentist or other satisfied patients, as well as recommendations on websites such as Yelp! or Angie’s List. Then feel free to ask questions about their philosophy on treatment and what kind of follow-up care you can expect after being fitted with retainers. Make sure they explain all of your options and answer any questions so that you feel confident in selecting them as your provider.
Once you find an orthodontist, schedule a consultation to go over your specific case and determine which type of retainer is best for you. At that point, don’t be afraid to shop around and get second opinions if necessary; more than anything else, it should be something that fits comfortably and feels right for you. After receiving them at your first appointment, it may take anywhere from 3 months to a year to transition fully into wearing them every day without fail—depending on how often they are removed (daily retainer wear makes tooth movement even slower). You may also experience some discomfort during those first few days due to irritation from bonding material or minor sores inside your mouth—as long as it doesn’t persist past several days then just persevere through it!
Preparing For Treatment
Before your treatment begins, you’ll work with a dentist who will examine your teeth and determine whether they’re stable enough to start treatment. Once that step is complete, you’ll work with an orthodontist on creating a plan to move your teeth into place. It can take several weeks—even months—to create your treatment plan; many orthodontists ask patients to set aside eight hours or more for their initial consultation. After that, it can take three to six months (or longer) before any movement takes place. Not only does aligning teeth take time, but braces themselves are bulky and make it difficult (though not impossible) to eat certain foods.
Additionally, tooth alignment may be slow at first; don’t worry if there doesn’t seem to be much progress at first. And don’t forget: Unless you have clear retainers in between appointments, you won’t be able to see results until after your braces come off.
Holding Your New Aligners
Your dentist will likely tell you that you need to wear your retainers at least 20 hours per day. What is less clear, however, is what exactly you should do when you aren’t wearing them. (…) Now that we’ve discussed how to wear your aligners and when not wearing them isn’t necessarily a bad thing, let’s talk about whether or not you can eat with them in. The short answer? No, not really. Generally speaking, eating and drinking isn’t allowed with braces on because it can cause damage to your teeth as well as breakage for aligners which are made of a delicate material called plastic.
The First Two Weeks After Treatment
You’ll likely see your orthodontist or dentist within a few days of having your braces removed. They will check on your bite and ask you questions about how you’re adjusting. During that first visit, they will show you how to wear your retainers, which are a crucial part of maintaining a healthy smile. They will give you some instructions—for example, cleaning them with a toothbrush and toothpaste every night—and also let you know what not to do.
Taking Care of Your Smile in the Future
One of the biggest perks of orthodontic treatment is how quickly it can transform your smile, often in a matter of months. But even after you finish wearing your final aligners, there’s still work to be done—and that’s where retainer and rehabilitation play an important role. While it may take some getting used to, wearing an Invisalign retainer is one of the best ways to ensure that your smile looks as good as possible in years to come. Here are a few things you should know about what you can expect from your retainers and from taking care of your teeth in general.
Tips for Healthy Teeth While Wearing Retainers
If you’re worried about your teeth health while wearing retainers, we have tips that can help. First, be sure to wear your retainer at all times as instructed by your dentist. Next, eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Finally, stay hydrated and visit your dentist regularly! For more great advice on how to care for your teeth with retainers—and find out when you might be able to ditch them altogether—be sure read our guide on long-term dental health .
Taking Care of Your New Smile After Treatment
Every orthodontic treatment plan can involve retainers. These are small devices that are often worn at night, or perhaps during special events when you want to show off your new smile. It’s important not only to get used to wearing them, but also in getting used to caring for them too. Many people don’t know that it takes just as much care and maintenance as your braces did! So here’s a guide on how you can clean and care for your new smile. Also make sure you read our other articles on topics like choosing retainers and making an appointment with Dr Kevin M Gray! You’ll be ready in no time!
