As a modern procedure, Invisalign® has brought the promise of beautiful, straight teeth to millions of adults around the world. Once stifled by the perceived stigma of wearing braces or afraid of being ridiculed for a mouth full of metal, today adults can have their teeth straightened without any such fears. The virtually invisible system of aligners can work while you are at work, taking care of the kids, or even celebrating the holidays with your family, and nobody will be any the wiser. Additionally, unlike regular braces, you can remove the Invisalign® aligners at any time meaning that there are virtually no restrictions on what you may or may not eat while undergoing the treatment. Simply remove the aligner, eat to your heart’s desire and put it back, keeping it in place for at least 20 – 22 hours per day.
As with any treatment, Invisalign® only works if you make sure to follow up after the treatment is completed. The aligning of teeth involves moving the teeth from what they perceive to be the natural spot. While we may find the placement and size of the teeth to be unnatural and, even ugly, the mouth has placed them in a particular spot because that's where the body believes the teeth should go. Once the Invisalign treatment is complete, it is imperative to continue wearing a retainer to ensure that the mouth does not start to move back into the previous structure. The retainer’s job is to prevent nature from undoing all the work you did to have that perfect smile. You will need to decide, however, if you are more comfortable with a permanent retainer or would prefer one that can come out when you are not actively using it.
The removable retainer: The removable retainer is designed to come out of your mouth and go back in, to ensure that you are exerting pressure on the teeth to hold them in place. Typically you would have the retainer in your mouth at night and remove it during the day. For some patients, they may need to have a retainer in for more than just the night. Unfortunately, a removable retainer’s best feature, its removability, is also its greatest weakness as it is easy for someone to fall out of the habit of putting on the retainer. This can ultimately cause the teeth start to move. Also, removable retainers are not as effective as permanent ones. On the other hand, removable retainers do make it easier to eat, brush your teeth, and floss effectively.
The permanent retainer: The permanent retainer works the same as the temporary retainer except that it is installed by your dentist or orthodontist and is never removed. For people who do not want the hassle of having to remember their retainer this is a far more effective solution. It is also a more efficient solution in terms of holding the teeth in place since it is permanent and adjusted for maximum impact. A permanent retainer has one major disadvantage when it comes to flossing, requiring the patient to learn how to floss around the retainer. However, the advantages of a permanent retainer far outweigh the disadvantage of having to learn a different way of flossing. This is why many Invisalign® dentists recommend permanent retainers or a combination of permanent and removable retainers.
We can discuss your options during a consultation in order to determine what the best option for you will be.
