Yes, wearing a retainer after Invisalign is essential to maintain your newly aligned smile. Without retention, your teeth will gradually shift back toward their original positions, often in a matter of months after finishing treatment.
Why Retainers Are Non-Negotiable
Your teeth sit in bone that's surrounded by elastic ligaments and soft tissue. Even after Invisalign moves your teeth into their ideal positions, these surrounding tissues need time to stabilize and adapt to the change.
Teeth have a natural tendency to shift throughout your life, even if you've never had orthodontic treatment. Age, genetics, teeth grinding, and even jaw growth can cause movement. Your retainer counteracts these forces and keeps your smile exactly where you want it.
What to Expect with Retainer Wear
Retention needs vary, but a typical schedule might look like this:
- The First Few Months — Initially, you'll wear your retainer full-time (about 22 hours daily), removing it only for eating and cleaning. This intensive phase allows your bone and gum tissue to solidify around your newly positioned teeth.
- Long-Term Retention — After the initial period, most patients transition to wearing their retainer only at night. Our Invisalign dentist in Twinsburg will provide personalized guidance based on your teeth's response and individual risk factors for shifting.
Protect Your Invisalign Results
Ready to get started with Invisalign or have questions about retention? Call SJ Dental to schedule a consultation so we can help you. We proudly serve patients throughout Hudson, Solon, Aurora, Stow, and beyond.