Questions About Invisalign Retainers? We've Got Answers
Your Invisalign retainers are designed to keep your smile in place after your treatment
After you complete your clear aligner treatment, you’ll still need to wear an Invisalign retainer to keep your teeth in their beautiful new positions. Those first few months after treatment are when your teeth are most vulnerable to sliding back to old positions because they haven’t had enough time to truly take root. That’s why neglecting to wear your Invisalign retainer could undo all the excellent progress you made on your smile journey.
Whether you’re looking to start Invisalign treatment or you’re ready to start wearing your retainer, we’re here to answer some of the most common questions regarding retainers after Invisalign!
What are Invisalign Retainers?
Wearing Invisalign retainers are a lot like wearing aligners, except retainers don’t move your teeth.
Invisalign retainers are designed to look the same as aligners and hold your smile in place.
Anyone who straightens their teeth needs to understand retention, whether they use clear retainers or a retainer after braces. For clear aligner patients, the most popular version is the Invisalign Vivera. The Vivera retainer is made out of the same material as your clear aligners, so they won’t feel any different than wearing your old trays. The key difference between your retainer and your aligners is that your retainer is not moving your teeth, it is holding your teeth in place. In the case of Invisalign retainers, the material is thicker and more sturdy to prevent your retainer from cracking or warping over time. When taken care of properly, Vivera retainers can last anywhere from 3 months (if full time wear) to 9 months (if night time only).
Why Do You Need Retainers After Invisalign?
An Invisalign retainer will properly secure your smile.
Every Invisalign patient will need to wear retainers after their aligners.
Here is the bottom line when it comes to Invisalign retainers — if you don’t wear them as recommended your teeth will begin to shift back out of alignment. This is because teeth are set in bone, not stone. We can move them slowly into new positions, but they won’t stay there permanently. So, after your treatment, you should wear your retainer as much as possible for the first 6 months after completing your treatment. After that, with the advice of your orthodontist, you’ll transition to wearing your retainer overnight.
How Much Do Invisalign Retainers Cost?
Depending on your orthodontist, your retainers may be included in your overall quote
Your orthodontist will give you a comprehensive quote before you begin treatment.
Though it differs based on your orthodontist and location, Invisalign retainers can cost anywhere between $600 to $1200 for a full set. These sets typically include 4 top and bottom retainers, which means that the cost per retainer ranges anywhere from $150 to $300 per set of top and bottom retainers. Having a few pairs of retainers comes in handy should you lose or damage one, or if you travel frequently and want a set to keep in your luggage. When you have a set of 4, you won’t have to call the orthodontist each time you misplace your retainer. Should you have to buy a new set of retainers, your orthodontist will be able to order a new set based on your digital scans.
What is the Best Way to Clean My Retainers?
Cleaning your retainers is an important part of your overall oral health
Cleaning your retainers helps you keep your smile healthy.
As you take out and replace your retainer throughout the day, it is bound to start collecting bacteria and plaque. As long as you make sure to clean your retainer after every use, this is not a problem.
To start cleaning your retainers, first remove them and gently rinse them under warm water. Then, with a soft-bristle toothbrush, gently scrub your retainer with dish soap. After you have scrubbed every part of your retainer, you can rinse it off and let it dry.
It is also important that you clean your retainer case on a regular basis as well. Bacteria can collect in your case over time and contaminate your retainers while they’re being stored. There are a few different over-the-counter cleaners you can use, such as this retainer cleaner spray from Smilesaver. It kills 99.9% of bacteria in 60 seconds or less, and has a peroxide-free formula that doesn’t require rinsing. It also cleans retainer cases, toothbrushes, mouthguards and clear aligners!
How Do I Know If it's Time to Replace My Retainers?
If your retainers are no longer fitting properly, it’s a good sign that you need to replace your retainers
Don’t use your retainer after it's cracked.
Your retainers are durable, but they won’t necessarily last forever. If you start to notice a loose fit, an uncomfortable tight fit, or cracks appearing in the retainer, it is time to replace your retainer. Continuing to wear a retainer that is cracked or warped can hurt your smile more than it will help keep it in place. Should you damage or lose your retainers, call your orthodontist as soon as possible to order a new set of retainers.
If you still have questions about Invisalign retainers or are wondering if Invisalign is right for your smile, schedule a free consultation with Legacy Orthodontics, Leesburg VA’s premier Invisalign provider. We’ll answer all your questions, show you what your smile can look like, and help you determine if Invisalign is the best method for straightening your teeth.