At Dillon Family Dentistry, we meet patients throughout the Main Line and Bryn Mawr who ask the question: “Will I really need to continue wearing my retainer at night?” The answer to this question is yes, if you want your teeth to stay straight and in their new position.
Under the expert guidance of Dr. David M. Dillon, patients choosing Invisalign receive a personalized treatment plan designed not only to straighten teeth but to help maintain those results for years to come. Let’s look at why wearing your retainer each night is important, and what can happen if you stop wearing it.
What Is an Invisalign Retainer?
Once you finish your Invisalign Treatment at Bryn Mawr, you will move into the retention phase of your treatment. Part of this phase involves wearing a clear retainer made specifically for you, designed to hold your teeth in place after they’ve been moved through Invisalign treatment.
The retainer used after Invisalign treatment in Bryn Mawr will look very similar to the final aligner in your last series. It’s clear, comfortable, and custom-made to fit your smile. However, unlike an aligner, its purpose isn’t to move your teeth; it’s to keep them in place.
Why Teeth Shift After Invisalign Treatment
Many individuals are shocked at how quickly their teeth can drift or become misaligned again, after successful orthodontic treatment.
Here’s why:
- It takes time for both your bone and ligament to stabilize around your new tooth position
- Your bite is still settling.
- Aging causes slow changes to the position of your teeth
- Chewing and grinding introduce new forces into your mouth.
Failure to provide sufficient orthodontic retention for your teeth could mean that over time, your teeth could gradually move back to their original position. Relapse (the backward movement of your teeth) can often occur more quickly than you might expect.
Individuals who have completed successful Invisalign treatment in Bryn Mawr, PA, may also experience movement of teeth due to their failure to wear retainers on a consistent basis.
Why Nighttime Wear Is Essential
Most people receiving Invisalign treatment will need to wear their retainers full-time, for at least a few months after treatment, before being able to switch to only wearing their retainers at night.
So why is it necessary to wear your retainer at night?
- You won’t be eating or drinking
- You tend to talk less and move your jaw less
- Your retainer will have the opportunity to stay in place for 6-8 hours without interruption
- Your teeth will be more susceptible to movement while you sleep
Wearing your retainer at night will apply a steady, consistent force to hold your teeth in place. If you skip even one night, you can create micro-movement, and over time, those very small movements add up.
Patients receiving their Invisalign treatment at Dillon Family Dentistry in the Main Line receive detailed education on the importance of wearing their retainers at night. Wearing your retainer at night becomes as much a part of your routine as brushing your teeth.
What Happens If You Stop Wearing Your Retainer?
Returning To Your Regular Dentist in Bryn Mawr.(delete) This is a common question patients ask their family dentist in Bryn Mawr. Here’s what happens:
- Teeth will begin shifting as soon as you stop using your retainer.
- Your retainer may feel tighter.
- Spacing/crowding could also recur.
- You might also require retreatment later.
If you stop wearing your retainer for several months, your teeth can begin to shift out of alignment. Correcting this may require additional treatment and the cost of new aligners.
The good news is that avoiding shifting teeth is as simple as wearing your retainer each night.
How Long Do You Need to Wear an Invisalign Retainer?
The truth is, orthodontic retention is a long-term process.
Most doctors who provide Invisalign Treatment in Bryn Mawr, including Dillon Family Dentistry, recommend wearing clear retainers indefinitely at night.
This doesn’t mean you have to wear your retainers 24/7 for life; rather, it simply means wearing them consistently while you sleep.
Why do you need to keep your Retainers for so long?
Teeth continue moving slightly and continuously throughout your lifetime. Many people who wore braces years ago may still see changes to their teeth if they stop wearing their retainers.
Dr. Dillon takes a realistic approach to patient expectations. Maintaining your smile is a lifelong commitment, but it only requires a few hours of wear each night.
Signs Your Retainer Is Not Fitting Properly
Your retainer should feel snug, but not painful. Contact your dentist if you notice:
- Significant tightness after missing only a few nights
- Cracks or visible damage
- Warping from heat exposure
- Retainer not fully seating over teeth
- Persistent discomfort
If you find yourself no longer able to use your retainer, this typically means that your teeth may have shifted from where they were when you first got your retainers. The quicker you can take care of this problem, the easier it will be to correct. All patients who have had Invisalign treatment at Dillon Family Dentistry in Bryn Mawr are advised to bring their retainers to their routine dental appointments so that we can check on the fit and condition.