Retainers After Invisalign
Why straight teeth try to undo themselves, the wearing routine we advise, how to make retainers last, and what to do the day one goes missing.
Will I Need a Retainer After Invisalign?
Yes. Plan on wearing one at night for good, or the teeth will gradually creep out of line. Teeth drift back after straightening and keep shifting slowly throughout adult life, so most people wear retainers full time for a short spell, then every night. In Hamilton, a set of Vivera retainers is included in every Invisalign package, and a replacement set costs £530.
The Short Version
Your aligners move your teeth. Your retainers keep them there. Without retainers, a good share of what you've paid for can quietly undo itself over the following months and years, usually starting with the lower front teeth. Every Invisalign patient here finishes with a set of Vivera retainers, and we'll give you a wearing schedule on the day your last aligner comes out.
Why Teeth Slip Back
Each tooth hangs in its socket from a sling of tiny fibres, and more fibres run around the neck of the tooth just under the gum. Move the tooth and those fibres are stretched. For months afterwards they behave like elastic, tugging the tooth back towards its old spot. The fibres around the neck are the slowest to settle, which is why a tooth that was turned is the one most likely to turn back.
There's a second, slower force too. Teeth drift through the whole of adult life whether or not you've had treatment, and lower front teeth in particular crowd as we get older. So retainers aren't only about the first year. They're what stops ordinary ageing undoing the work.
Teeth Moved Since Braces?
Book a free consultation and scan with Dr Sharma to see where they stand.
Your Wearing Routine
| Stage | When you wear them | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Straight after treatment | Day and night, out only for meals and brushing | The fibres are freshly stretched and pull hardest |
| After that | Every night while you sleep | Holds the result as the bone and gum mature |
| From then on | Nightly, indefinitely | Counters the natural drift that comes with age |
How long the full-time stage lasts depends on the distance and direction of the movement, so we set it for you individually rather than give everyone the same number. Once you're on nights only, the odd missed night won't hurt. A fortnight without them might.
A useful test: if the retainer feels tight going in, your teeth have started to wander and it's pulling them back. That's a reason to wear it more, not to leave it out.
Vivera, Essix or a Fixed Wire?
Vivera retainers are made by the company behind Invisalign, from a scan of your finished teeth. They look much like a clear aligner but the material is thicker and tougher, because it has to last years rather than a week or two. This is the set included with your treatment.
Essix retainers are a similar clear, removable type made from a different plastic. They're a sensible, cheaper replacement if you lose one arch, at £214 for one or £270 for both. 1
A bonded wire is glued behind the front teeth. You can't forget to wear it, which is its appeal, but it makes flossing slower and it can come loose without you noticing. Most people finishing aligners find removable retainers simpler, and some have both.
Making Them Last
- Brush your teeth before the retainer goes in at night, or plaque sits against them for eight hours
- Rinse the retainer each morning and brush it gently with a soft brush and cool water
- Leave out the toothpaste, which is gritty enough to scratch the plastic cloudy
- Never use hot water or leave it on a sunny windowsill or car dashboard, as heat warps it
- Use the case, every time. Retainers wrapped in tissue tend to end up in the bin
- Keep it out of reach of dogs, who seem to love chewing them
- Pack it in your bag for dental examinations, so we can see how it fits and spot any splits
Cared for like this, a set lasts a good while. Over time the plastic dulls, thins or cracks, and we'll tell you when it's time for a new one.
Lost It, Broken It, or It Won't Fit
Get in touch the same week. Teeth can start to move within days, and the sooner a replacement is made, the less there is to correct. If you still have your last aligner, wear it at night in the meantime. Replacements are made from a fresh iTero scan, so there's no putty.
If you've been out of the habit for a while and the retainer only goes in with some pressure, wearing it consistently may gently bring the teeth back. If it won't go in at all, don't force it, because you can crack it or strain the teeth. The fix then is usually a short course of aligners. Invisalign Express, at £2,500, is designed for exactly that kind of relapse and comes with a new set of Vivera retainers.
Retainers Don't Protect Teeth
A retainer holds position. It doesn't stop decay or gum disease, and straight teeth still need cleaning between, a routine examination and regular hygiene visits. If you clench or grind at night, mention it. A thin retainer isn't built to take that force, and a night guard may be the better thing to sleep in, with a plan for keeping your teeth aligned too.
If your bite feels different, or a retainer that used to slip in easily now feels tight or loose, book a visit instead of waiting for your next dental examination. A small shift caught early is far easier to fix.
What Your Package Includes
Retainers are one item among several. Every Invisalign package here covers the scan, simulation and X-rays, all your aligners, refinements, Vivera retainers, home whitening and a hygiene visit. Fees run from £2,500 to £5,000, and the Invisalign cost guide explains which package fits which teeth. 1
Whitening comes at the end on purpose. Once teeth are straight it's the right time to lift the shade, and doing it before any bonding or veneers means everything can be matched to the new colour.
Questions
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to say what is right for your teeth.