After completing Invisalign treatment, you may have been so excited about having an aligner-free smile that you forgot to wear your retainer as instructed. If that’s the case, your teeth might be shifting back to their original, familiar positions. When that happens, many patients wonder if they can use their retainer to realign their teeth. Read along for the answer and learn a few helpful tips to care for your retainers!
Why Is It Important to Wear a Retainer?
It’s incredibly important that you wear a retainer after finishing any type of orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign. The orthodontic appliance is essential to stabilize your teeth’s position. It will keep your pearly whites from shifting back to their original positions after your braces have been removed. By wearing your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist, you can ensure your teeth stay in place while new tissue and bone grow to secure them.
Can Retainers Realign Teeth?
Short answer: no, retainers cannot re-straighten your teeth. They’re not able to apply the force needed to shift your teeth into proper alignment. However, they can help make minor adjustments to the position of your teeth and bite. If you haven’t worn your retainer in a few weeks or months, it can undo any changes that have occurred since you last wore it. Be sure to make an appointment with your dentist if the oral appliance doesn’t fit snugly or causes pain.
How to Properly Care for Your Retainer
You must properly care for your retainer and wear it as instructed by your orthodontist to keep your teeth and bite in proper alignment. That said, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Brush your retainer after each meal and snack
- Rinse your retainer with cold water after each use
- Avoid hot water as it could warp your retainer and cause it to fit improperly
- Carry a storage case with you at all times to keep your retainer safe while it’s not in use
- Do not put your retainer in a napkin or set it down on a countertop
Ultimately, retainers are meant to retain your smile – not fully adjust it. Make sure you wear your oral appliance as instructed! By doing so, you can keep your teeth in their beautiful, perfectly aligned positions for as long as possible.
About the Practice
At Buchwald Orthodontics, we strive to treat every patient as if they were a member of our very own family. Our friendly and compassionate team will always go above and beyond to provide every patient with the high-quality dental care they deserve. If you have any questions about wearing a retainer after Invisalign, feel free to reach out to us. You can make an appointment via our website or call (972) 377-5940.