ProviderVivera™ Retainers by Invisalign for Smile Maintenance
The day has finally arrived – you're finished with your active orthodontic treatment! Your new smile is all set, and now it's time to enjoy it.
Now that your braces are off or you've removed your final set of aligners for the last time, you can enter the maintenance phase of your treatment. This involves wearing a retainer.
At Sturbridge Orthodontics, we use Vivera retainers from Invisalign. These clear, removable retainers are produced by Align Technology, the same company that makes Invisalign clear aligners. Vivera retainers are custom-made using advanced 3D imaging technology (iTero™) to ensure a precise fit.
Wearing a retainer as your orthodontist recommends is very important for maintaining the results you've achieved with braces or Invisalign. It helps ensure your smile stays bright and beautiful for a long time.
Flexible Payment Plans & Financing Options
At Sturbridge Orthodontics, we believe that finances should never be a barrier to health care. To help our patients manage the cost of orthodontic treatment, we offer flexible payment plans and convenient financing with CareCredit.
Why You Need a Retainer
You need a retainer after your orthodontic treatment for two key reasons: to keep everything in place and to prevent future issues.
During the active phase of your orthodontic treatment, your aligners or braces continually work to move your teeth, including their roots, into new positions. As the roots shift, the surrounding bone must remodel around them to securely hold them in place again.
As you can probably imagine, this process takes time. It can persist for many months after the initial movement of the roots.
Preserving Your Results
Wearing a retainer helps keep your teeth in the right place while your jawbone adjusts and grows stronger around the roots.
It’s an important step to make sure your teeth don’t drift back to where they started, protecting the investment you’ve made in your smile.
Retainer FAQs
Learn the basics of retainers by reading these frequently asked questions from our patients.
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How long do I have to wear my retainer?
Retainers require a long-term commitment for all orthodontic patients. They help keep your new, straight smile in place after completing treatment with braces or Invisalign.
You'll have to wear your retainer full-time for at least eight weeks after your active orthodontic treatment is complete, and nightly after that, with your orthodontist's approval.
Even people who have never had orthodontic treatment will notice their teeth shifting over time; orthodontic patients are even more susceptible to this and should wear retainers as long as they want to keep straight teeth.
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How often do I have to wear my retainer?
For the first few months of retainer wear after active orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear your retainer 24 hours a day, every day. This is because the initial months of the retention phase are when your teeth are most prone to relapse, shifting back to their original positions.
During this time, you'll take your retainer out only to eat, brush and floss your teeth, or play sports (when you'll need to wear a mouth guard).
Over time, your teeth will shift into their new positions, and your risk of relapse will decrease. When your orthodontist determines you're ready, you'll be able to wear your retainer for fewer hours each day. For many people, this means wearing the retainer only overnight.
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How often should I replace my retainer?
With proper care and correct use, most retainers can last for many years, ensuring continued effectiveness and value over time.
The following signs indicate that a new retainer may be needed:
Cracks or Chips
When you start noticing chips or cracks in your retainer, it's time to replace it. This type of damage will only get worse over time and compromise the structural integrity of the retainer, making it less effective.
Poor Fit
Retainers are designed to be sturdy and durable, but they may loosen over time due to wear. It's important to replace your retainer if you notice it's loose, because it's no longer effectively supporting your teeth.
Excessive Buildup
You should clean your retainer regularly to keep it in good condition. However, even if you're doing this, stubborn buildup can occur over time. If your retainer has buildup that cannot be removed through a thorough cleaning, it should be replaced.
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Can I eat or drink while wearing my retainer?
You should always take your retainer out when eating, and you should also take it out when drinking hot or highly pigmented liquids to prevent it from warping or staining.
The only thing that you can ingest while wearing your retainers is plain water.
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How do I clean my orthodontic retainer?
Clean your retainer at least once daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and some mild, unscented liquid soap. This removes food debris, plaque, and bacteria. Rinse the retainer with cool or room temperature water to remove the soap when you're done.
We also suggest soaking your retainer in specially formulated retainer-cleaning tablets dissolved in water as needed. This can help break down stubborn buildup and keep your retainer feeling fresh.
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How do I store my retainer?
When you're not wearing or cleaning your retainer, it's important to store it somewhere safe so it doesn't get lost or damaged. We recommend storing your retainer in the case it comes with whenever it's not in your mouth.
Always remember to clean and dry your retainer and its carrying case thoroughly first to prevent bacteria from forming.
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What happens if I forget to put my retainer in?
Remember to wear your retainer as your orthodontist advised to maintain your newly straightened smile.
That said, if you occasionally forget to wear your retainer for short periods, you probably have nothing to worry about. Just start wearing it again consistently as soon as you remember.
Keep in mind that if you don't wear your retainer consistently, your teeth may shift out of position, and you may need additional corrective orthodontic treatment to realign them. To avoid this, prioritize wearing your retainer as prescribed.