Have you recently completed the aligner phase of your Invisalign treatment? If so, it’s important to remember that this is only the first step in the process. Wearing your retainer after treatment by the Santa Monica, CA cosmetic dentist should be considered an essential element of the treatment.
How Your Retainer Helps
Whether you have gone through Invisalign treatment or not, your teeth are always moving to some degree and it may not always be perceptible. This means that you will need to wear some type of orthodontic retainer after your Invisalign treatment is completed to maintain the corrected alignment.
If you don’t wear the retainer provided by your Santa Monica, CA cosmetic dentist, it is likely that your teeth will gradually start to drift out of alignment. You may be surprised to learn that going without a retainer for even a relatively short period of time can give teeth an opportunity to shift causing another misalignment.
Wearing Your Retainer
There are two types of retainers: fixed and removable. As the names imply, these terms refer to the fact that the retainer is either permanently attached to your teeth or is removable. Each has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Your cosmetic dentist can discuss both these options with you and help you make the decision as to which will be most beneficial to your situation.
Certain teeth alignment problems need to be retained longer than others. Therefore, retention is more critical in these cases. Your Invisalign dentist is the best person to determine what is appropriate in your situation.
Now that you’ve completed the Invisalign treatment successfully it makes sense to consider the retention phase as an ongoing and necessary part of your treatment. You’ve already made an investment in a beautiful, even smile. By conscientiously using your retainer you are simply protecting your investment. Please call our office for more information or to schedule a convenient appointment with our dentist.