If you are considering Invisalign® treatment for teeth straightening, you will likely want details about the process. Read on to learn about what happens during and after Invisalign treatment. When you visit the dentist for a consultation, they will explain the specifics of what to anticipate during and after treatment. They will also discuss using a retainer following treatment.
Invisalign treatment usually takes one to three years to restore the teeth to their correct position and alignment. Patients must wear clear aligners for about 20 to 22 hours per day. Although the aligners will reposition the teeth correctly, there is a chance that the teeth may attempt to return to their original position. Wearing a retainer after treatment helps to prevent this.
The retainer maintains the final position of the teeth. The amount of time the patient must wear the retainer is determined by how far their teeth shift throughout Invisalign treatment. The dentist may recommend 24-hour use of the retainers for a year. The retainer, like the aligners, can be removed when eating or brushing the teeth.
Most patients eventually only need to use the retainer overnight after the first year. Some people may need to keep wearing their retainer every night for the rest of their lives. For instance, patients with a case of tongue-thrust will need to keep wearing the retainer to stop the teeth from moving forward during sleep.
Patients can choose between two retainer options: a transparent plastic retainer and a retainer made of plastic and metal.
These retainers cover the teeth just like aligners do and are almost identical to them. There are instances where patients may use their last aligner as a retainer for a short period. The retainer works in the same manner as the aligner in that it keeps the teeth in place. This retainer differs in that it keeps teeth in their permanent place. It is not necessary to change it out like the aligners. As a result, it is critical to take excellent care of it and protect it from being destroyed or lost.
Plastic and metal retainers are placed on the roof of the mouth. After that, they attach a wire to the plastic piece in front of the teeth. The teeth are positioned between the metal wire and the plastic component. The advantage of this kind of retainer is that the metal may be modified as needed. As a result, if an adjustment is required, the dentist can do it without replacing anything. These retainers are also often less expensive, making them a more appealing choice for certain patients.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Andover, MA
No matter what kind of retainer a patient has, they must be handled with care. It is a good idea to keep them in a plastic case while not in use and rinse and wash them regularly. The teeth should stay in place following Invisalign treatment if they are worn as recommended. Speak with your dentist to learn more about what occurs after teeth straightening.
Request an appointment or call Bagnall Family Dentistry at 978-475-3997 for an appointment in our Andover office.
.bagnall-blog Quick answer Business trips barely change your aligner routine. Wear your trays 24 hours a day, keep them in while eating and drinking almost everything, and remove them only to brush and floss your teeth and clean the trays. 24/7 Recommended daily tray wear A few days Typical speech adjustment time Fewer visits Office…
.bagnall-blog Quick answer If your Invisalign fits differently today, the most common reasons are that your teeth moved as intended, or the trays were left out too long and your teeth shifted slightly. A snug or tight feeling early in each tray cycle is normal, but a tray that will not seat at all warrants…
.bagnall-blog Quick answer Invisalign may cause a slight, temporary lisp during the first few days that can briefly reduce voice-recognition accuracy. Still, most speakers adapt within about a week, and both their pronunciation and the software normalize. 1 week Typical speech adjustment window s, sh, th Sounds affected first 24 hrs/day Recommended wear time Fewer…