{"id":31,"date":"2024-12-13T00:30:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T00:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fisherdental.ca\/blog\/?p=31"},"modified":"2025-01-15T00:32:58","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T00:32:58","slug":"retainer-after-invisalign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fisherdental.ca\/blog\/2024\/12\/13\/retainer-after-invisalign\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m Excited About Finishing Invisalign, but How Long Will I Have to Wear My Retainer?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While Invisalign<\/a> has allowed many patients to achieve remarkable orthodontic results without the irremovable metal parts and frustrating dietary restrictions of traditional braces, it\u2019s still essential to wear your retainer to preserve your results afterward. Ideally, you\u2019ll regularly wear your retainer for life, but it\u2019s especially important to wear it as instructed during the first few years after your orthodontic treatment. Here\u2019s why wearing your retainer is so important as well as a guide to how long you may need to wear it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Is My Retainer Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like all orthodontic treatments, Invisalign works by exerting constant pressure upon the teeth to gradually shift them into healthier positions. Unfortunately, your teeth will try to shift back into their former positions as soon as your orthodontic appliance is removed, and this will still happen even after your Invisalign treatment is completed. Your retainer works by holding your teeth in their new alignment while the tissue supporting them solidifies, preventing dental shifting in the years after your treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Will I Have to Wear My Retainer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to ensure that your teeth stay in their new alignment after Invisalign treatment is to consistently wear your retainer as instructed for life. However, the years immediately following your orthodontic treatment are the most crucial for wearing your retainer, and you can expect to need to wear your retainers less as time goes on. For example, while you may need to wear upper and lower retainers all day during the months immediately after completing Invisalign, you may only need to wear an upper one to bed after that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Kind of Retainers Are There?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several types of retainers, and the best one for you depends on your situation. Your dentist may recommend an appliance like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n