Choosing Invisalign® means straightening your smile without the look and feel of traditional metal braces. It’s a wonderful option for teens and adults and can address many of the same alignment issues as metal braces.
Once you’re nearing the end of your treatment plan, it’s time to think about preserving your newly straightened smile. The team at 2K Dental is here to help with a discussion on the importance of orthodontic retention as the final step.
Orthodontic retention is a fancy name for the process of wearing a dental retainer. Retainers have long been part of orthodontic treatment and work by holding your teeth in place after your active orthodontic treatment is complete.
To understand the importance of retainers, let’s first take a closer look at how your treatment plan improved the alignment of your smile.
Invisalign and other orthodontic treatment options work by creating gentle and steady pressure on your teeth. That pressure slowly shifts your teeth into better positioning. This happens by moving your teeth through the bone tissue that holds them in place.
It’s actually an astounding thing to envision. Your bone tissue responds to the pressure of your braces or aligner trays by making room for teeth to move and by remodelling bone tissue around the new tooth positioning.
Once your teeth have reached their optimal alignment, you no longer need to switch to a new set of aligners every few weeks. There is no need to keep placing pressure on your teeth.
However, just because your teeth no longer need to be nudged into a new position doesn’t mean they are locked in place for good.
Your teeth can still shift and move, which can create new alignment problems over time. Wearing an orthodontic retainer is the best way to ensure that your newly aligned smile stays put.
The retainers used at the end of active Invisalign treatment are very similar to the aligner trays you wore throughout. They fit snugly over the surface of your teeth and are virtually invisible.
In general, retainers are more comfortable to wear than aligner trays, since they don’t place any pressure on your teeth or alter their alignment. So by the time you’ve made it to the end of your Invisalign journey, wearing your retainer should be a breeze.
Everyone has a distinct set of needs when it comes to orthodontic retention. As you approach the end of your active treatment, we will inform you of what to expect.
You’ll discuss how to wear your retainer, including how often you need to wear the device and how long you can expect to continue orthodontic retention. Feel free to ask questions and express any concerns.
Wearing a retainer is the best way to preserve the results you’ve worked so hard for. At 2K Dental, we’re happy to help you find an orthodontic retention solution that aligns with your needs.
If you live in or near Cleveland, Aurora, Cuyahoga Falls, Parma, or Akron, Ohio, and are thinking about Invisalign or want information on orthodontic retention, schedule a personalized consultation.
You can set up a visit at 2K Dental by giving us a quick call or through our online booking tool.
