Posted on July 26, 2022
That moment when you realize you are about to remove your last set of Invisalign aligners and unveil your brand new smile is an exciting time! You also know that you won’t be getting another set of aligners installed at your next office visit, so you don’t have to worry about them anymore. Even though removing your final aligner will mark the conclusion of your formal Invisalign treatment, there is still some additional work to be done to ensure that your beautiful smile will remain healthy for the rest of your life. Now that your Invisalign treatment is complete, what steps should you take next?
After completing the orthodontic treatment phase, you will move on to the retention phase, during which your dentist will ensure that your results continue to be effective well into the future. During the retention phase, you will wear a retainer. This retainer will help keep your teeth in the position you want them to be over time, thus reducing the likelihood that your teeth will shift as you get older. After undergoing Invisalign treatment, wearing retainers will enable your gums, bone, and ligaments to reorganize around your teeth. This will reduce the likelihood of your teeth shifting out of position.
After completing Invisalign treatment, it is important to continue using a retainer to maintain the straight appearance of your smile. Most patients begin by wearing their retainers constantly for a short time and then transition to wearing them only at night — and in some cases, eventually, only a few nights per week. This helps to ensure that the teeth remain in the desired position. Every situation is unique because the recommendations made by our orthodontists are based on the individual patient’s mouth.
Following Invisalign treatments, retainers are worn to keep the teeth in their new positions by applying constant pressure. It has been demonstrated that teeth can shift back to their initial position if a retainer is not worn each night following orthodontic treatment. This kind of mistake frequently prompts people to seek Invisalign treatments in the first place. According to Johnson Orthodontics, more than 25% of orthodontic patients may need braces installed again because they do not use their retainers as directed.
As you can see, aftercare is an essential step in the Invisalign process! Call our professionals at Lee Ortho today for aftercare tips and techniques. We look forward to helping you!