Yes, once you’ve completed your Invisalign® treatment, you’ll need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original position. You don’t want to jeopardize your newly straightened teeth, and wearing a retainer is the best way to avoid orthodontic relapse.
What Is Orthodontic Relapse?
Clear aligners work by temporarily softening your jawbone around your teeth; this allows them to shift into the proper position. After you finish wearing your aligners, your jawbone needs several months to harden again. If you don’t wear a retainer during this time, orthodontic relapse occurs.
To keep your teeth from moving, you need to wear your retainer for 20-22 hours each day for three to six months after you complete treatment. You’ll only remove your retainer when it’s time to brush, floss, and eat.
Once your jawbone hardens, you should be able to begin wearing your retainer only at night. Each person’s treatment plan is unique, but we’ll explain everything to you and answer all your questions.
Invisalign Treatment in Long Beach, CA
If you live in Long Beach or the surrounding area, we hope you’ll choose Golden Coast Dental Care for your clear aligner therapy. Our experienced team strives to help every patient choose the treatment plan that best suits their needs.
We’d love to welcome you to our comfortable dental office.