Orthodontic Retention: How to Preserve Your Flawless Invisalign® Smile Indefinitely

Have you recently finished Invisalign® treatment? This is an exciting time, but you must take preventive steps to keep your smile flawless and symmetrical. Without proper care, your teeth can slowly shift back into their original position, undoing all that hard work.

At Family Dental Group in Gardner, Northborough, and Paxton, Massachusetts, our team, led by Nikhil Lavana, DMD, and Archana Kharkanis-Lavana, DMD, regularly counsels patients post-Invisalign. Read on to learn more about orthodontic retention and why it’s key for consistent results.

Why orthodontic retention matters

Orthodontic treatments like Invisalign gradually place pressure on your teeth, improving your smile’s alignment and symmetry. This process takes anywhere from months to years, but it doesn’t end once you stop wearing your Invisalign aligners. If you aren’t careful, your teeth can slowly return to their original position, something known as “orthodontic relapse.”

Thankfully, orthodontic relapse isn’t inevitable. A personalized retention strategy significantly reduces the risk and provides long-lasting stability for your smile. The process is pain-free, effective, and involves orthodontic retainers. These custom devices fit snugly over your upper or lower teeth and prevent them from shifting.

Understanding the types of retainers 

After you complete Invisalign treatment, we prescribe a retainer. Depending on your age, lifestyle, and oral health history, we could recommend:

Removable retainers

Removable retainers are made of durable plastic or a mix of acrylic and metal wires. 

Plastic retainers, like Vivera™, look similar to Invisalign aligners. They fit snugly over your upper or lower teeth, and you wear them daily, only removing them to eat or brush and floss. 

Metal removable retainers are called Hawley retainers. These use a combination of acrylic and metal wires. Hawley retainers are long-lasting and adjustable, making them a great option for some patients.

Fixed retainers

Fixed retainers are made of metal, like Hawley retainers. The main difference is that we bond a fixed retainer to the back of your teeth. This bonding eliminates the need for removal and provides a discreet way to prevent orthodontic relapse since it's hidden from view.  

We typically recommend fixed retainers to people who struggle to wear removable devices consistently. They’re also a great option for those with complex alignment issues that are more likely to relapse.

Best practices for maintaining your smile post-orthodontics

An orthodontic retainer can go a long way toward preserving your smile, but the device alone isn’t the key to success. You must follow certain best practices to keep your teeth in the proper position. These best practices include:

• Wearing your retainer as prescribed
• Cleaning your retainer regularly to eliminate plaque and food particles
• Storing retainers in a protective case when not in use to prevent warping and damage
• Scheduling dental checkups at least twice a year

If you have a removable retainer, we also encourage you to inspect it daily. Contact us immediately if you notice the plastic warping or cracking, or the wires bending or breaking. Most minor damage can be repaired, but if the damage is severe, we can provide a brand-new replacement.

Request an Invisalign appointment 

If you’ve always dreamed of having a straighter, more symmetrical smile, contact Family Dental Group today. After an oral exam, dental X-rays, and discussing your goals, we can develop a custom treatment plan that straightens your teeth quickly and painlessly. Following treatment, we can also recommend a retainer that protects your investment in the long term. Call our nearest office or book your appointment online.