Retainers: keeping the smile you have paid for

Why teeth move back

Teeth sit in bone, held by a web of fibres that stretch when teeth are moved. Those fibres take many months to reorganise, and in the meantime they pull gently towards the old positions. On top of that, teeth drift slowly throughout adult life, particularly the lower front teeth, which crowd with age in people who have never had orthodontic treatment at all. Without retention, some movement back is very likely. With retainers worn as advised, results usually hold well, although small changes can still happen over the years.

The types

• Removable clear retainers are thin, transparent and made to fit your teeth exactly, like an aligner that does not move anything. Worn at night. Easy to clean, easy to replace, and only effective when actually worn.
• Vivera retainers are Invisalign's removable retainer, made from a stronger, more durable material than the aligners, from the same scan as your final result, and supplied as two sets, so there is always a spare. They are our usual recommendation for patients finishing Invisalign, and they are included in every package.
• Fixed (bonded) retainers are a fine wire bonded behind the front teeth. They work without you having to remember anything, which is their great advantage. They need careful cleaning underneath and an occasional check in case a bond comes loose.

Many patients have both: a fixed wire behind the lower front teeth, which are the teeth most likely to move, and a removable retainer over the top at night. It is the most secure combination, and Louise will recommend it where it suits your case.

How long, and how often

Nightly for the first year, while the fibres and bone settle. After that, most patients move to a few nights a week, and that continues indefinitely. The honest version is that retention is a lifelong habit, like a seatbelt: a few nights a week for the rest of your life is a small price for keeping a result you invested in. You will be given a written schedule, and your twelve months of aftercare reviews are where Louise checks the teeth are holding and adjusts the advice.

Looking after retainers

Rinse a removable retainer in cold water after each use and brush it gently with a soft brush and a little mild soap, not toothpaste, which scratches the surface. Never use hot water, which warps it, and never put it in a dishwasher. Soak weekly in cleaning crystals. Store it in its case when it is out. A fixed wire is cleaned with floss threaders or an interdental brush, and your hygienist will check around it.

When retainers wear out or are lost

Vivera retainers last years with care, and you have a spare set. Replacement retainers after your first year are chargeable; if you need one, we give you the price before it is ordered. A lost retainer should be replaced quickly, because teeth begin to drift within weeks; wear your spare and call us.

If you stopped wearing yours

If it has been months and the teeth have shifted, a retainer will no longer fit and will not move them back. The guide on teeth that have moved since braces explains how a short Invisalign course puts things right, usually in a few months.

At Clear Braces Solihull every Invisalign package includes your consultation, iTero scan, X-ray, Dental Monitoring, Vivera retainers, professional whitening and twelve months of aftercare, in one written price. Interest-free monthly payments are available.

Questions people ask

How long do I have to wear retainers after Invisalign?

Nightly for the first year, then a few nights a week indefinitely. Teeth move for life, so retention is for life.

Are retainers included?

Yes. Vivera retainers are included in every package and fitted the day treatment ends. Replacements after the first year are chargeable.

Should I have a fixed retainer?

Often, behind the lower front teeth, with a removable retainer at night as well. Louise will recommend what suits your case.

How many Vivera retainers do I get?

Two sets, which means two retainers for each arch, so you always have a spare.

Can I wear my old retainer after a new course of treatment?

No. The teeth are in new positions, and new retainers are made from the final scan.