Treatment FAQ

when you are finished with your last invisalign treatment, what happens

by Emerald Muller Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The Invisalign® treatment straightens your teeth using special sets of clear aligners over 12 to 18 months. After finishing with the last tray, you will have to put on retainers as your cosmetic dentist recommends. These retainers are what prevent your teeth from going back to their original spots.Apr 1, 2021

Full Answer

What happens after Invisalign treatment?

After Invisalign treatment. Once your clear Invisalign treatment is completed, patients come out with a beautiful new smile that has taken over a year to receive. But it is not over yet.

Is it safe to use Invisalign for a long time?

The aligners aren’t designed for long-term use. After a few weeks, it will stop applying the necessary force to prevent reversion and it will start to break down.

What is the retention phase of Invisalign treatment?

When your teeth are shifting into their ideal positions and you’re rocking braces or Invisalign, it’s what we call the active phase of treatment. This is always followed by the retention phase to ensure your results last a lifetime.

How long do Invisalign retainers last?

So, how long do Invisalign retainers last? If cared for properly, both clear and wire retainers can last years and at Jeffrey Kwong Orthodontics, we actually have an in-office Essix retainer program that includes replacement retainers in the cost for five years.

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What is the last stage of Invisalign?

once the refinement process is finished the final stage is Invisalign retainers. These are needed to “retain” all of that movement and hard work you put into shifting your teeth into their ideal positions.

Do you get a permanent retainer after Invisalign?

Once your Invisalign treatment has been complete and your teeth have reached the desired results, you may be wondering if you need a permanent retainer afterwards. In fact, some doctors may recommend a retainer in certain cases but not necessary a permanent one.

Should I go back to my last Invisalign tray?

Save Your Most Recent Invisalign Aligner Tray It's a good idea to always save your previous trays in case you accidentally lose the current ones. It may be a good idea to keep them in the resealable plastic bag they came in, with the date marked on it.

What do you do with finished Invisalign trays?

Popping in your previous aligner and notifying your orthodontist allows your teeth to remain in their position while your orthodontist orders a replacement aligner. Once you are done with that previous aligner, you should throw those aligners in the garbage.

Are permanent retainers for life?

You may have a permanent retainer on your teeth for the rest of your life. Your dentist or orthodontist may remove your permanent retainer if it irritates your gums or teeth or causes too much plaque or tartar buildup on the teeth around it.

How much does a permanent retainer cost?

between $150 and $500Permanent retainers cost anywhere between $150 and $500 for one. You may need a bottom teeth retainer and a retainer for your top front teeth as well (up to $1000 for both the lower and upper front teeth).

How long can I wear my last Invisalign tray?

Answer: Last aligner for invisalign You can wear your last invisalign tray as long as you want. Some patients use it as a retainer. It's safe to do so. It takes about 2 weeks to get a response from invisalign.

Can I stop wearing my retainer after 2 years?

Decades ago an orthodontist would hand a patient a retainer and tell them they should wear it every day for 6 months then switch to nights and then discontinue retainer wear after one or two years.

How long will 24 Invisalign trays take?

As your doctor told you: A general rule is 2 weeks for each set of trays. If all goes well and you don't need any additional refinements along the way, your case should be complete in approximately 30 weeks, or 8 months. Of course, a lot depends on your wearing them religiously at least 22 hours/day.

What are refinements after Invisalign?

Invisalign refinements are corrections to your aligner treatment after you have finished your original planned treatment and sets of aligners. It is not a bad thing if your dentist suggests refinements, it just means that they are making sure you get the most out of your treatment.

How many retainers do you get after Invisalign?

Your Vivera retainers come as a series of 4 top-and-bottom sets (8 retainers total). Each set is designed to last a long time – they are up to 30% more durable than other clear retainers. If cared for properly, then, a series of 4 should last you many years.

How long is Invisalign refinement?

Refinements are more common than you think. Invisalign treatment typically takes about 12 to 18 months to complete. During this time, you need to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, regularly clean them, and switch your trays on time.

What do you get after Invisalign treatment?

The first thing that every Invisalign treatment plan patient will receive after their Invisalign treatment is completed is an Invisalign retainer.

How Long Do Retainers Last?

Once an individual has gone through an Invisalign aligners process, they will have to wear a retainer for the rest of their lives. While this sounds awful, retainers usually only have to be worn during the nighttime hours.

How Do Retainers Work?

The orthodontist will make one final scan of the patient’s teeth in the same process used for the Invisalign trays. Once that scan is complete, a retainer will be developed that fits perfectly over the patient’s teeth. This prevents the teeth from going back to their original position.

What is a fixed retainer?

The fixed retainer is commonly used after metal braces. The most-used method for keeping teeth aligned. These retainers have a custom plastic top that fits the roof of the mouth and bendable wire that stretches across the teeth. This form of retainer is simple to clean and extremely durable.

What is a clear plastic retainer?

Clear Plastic Retainers. These are similar in appearance to the Invisalign treatment trays but are composed of tougher material. A Vivera clear Retainer will slip over the teeth in the same way Invisalign trays do. Since nothing goes over the roof of the mouth, is easier for individuals to speak while wearing them.

How to clean a retainer?

The first is that an individual can thoroughly scrub their retainer using soap and water. The other option is purchasing tablets that are specifically made for cleaning retainers.

Why is it important to take care of a retainer?

It is extremely important to take care of a retainer in order to receive the best results. It also guards against having to purchase a replacement retainer too soon.

What is the difference between Invisalign and AcceleDent?

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces and uses invisible aligners to move the teeth in a less invasi ve and more aesthetically pleasing process. AcceleDent, the newest technology, may be used as a complimentary treatment to safely accelerate treatment time with the aligners.

What happens if you don't wear a retainer?

In conclusion, if you don’t wear the retainer your teeth will gradually drift back to their original positions and your investment will have been wasted. It is common for adults who had braces as a child but did not use their retainer to return for treatment again because their teeth have returned to their previous misalignment.

What Retaining Options are There?

A fixed retainer consists of a thin, metal wire that’s glued to the back of the teeth, on the tongue-side. These retainers stay put permanently and offer extra insurance that your teeth won’t move after Invisalign treatment. This method means effort on your part. This means cleaning and caring for the device. It is robust but not indestructable. You’ll find food build up with this device.

What is a removable retainer?

Removable Retainers. Removable retainers come in two forms. Firstly, the traditional wire retainer, known as a Hawley retainer. Secondly, a clear retainer that looks like an Invisalign tray, often referred to as a 3D or Essix retainer.

What is a Vivera retainer?

Vivera retainers are customized using the same state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology that was used to measure and evaluate you for your original alignment trays as well.

How long do you have to wear retainers?

You may have to use the retainers for life, but how long you have to wear them each day will lessen. Typically you begin wearing them all the time and gradually reduce over time.

What is an orthodontist?

Care and treatment are offered through an orthodontist, a specialist in correcting bites and straightening teeth. Their extensive training and specialized care goes beyond what a dentist is able to provide. As specialists, they recognize technology is constantly changing and strive to bring you the most up-to-date practices and methods.

Do teeth move in adulthood?

For many people, it comes as a surprise to discover that teeth continuously move throughout life. As a child, your teeth will move to accommodate changes such as new molars and a larger jawline, but the shifting does not stop when you reach adulthood. Teeth are held into the jawbone with ligaments that allow for some stretching, and it is this ability to move that made it possible for your orthodontic treatment to work.

Do you have to see your orthodontic team?

It is often said that beginning orthodontic treatment is like discovering a new family. Over the past several months or years, you have seen your orthodontic team often enough that you know about their kids’ hobbies and golf strategy. Those visits may be less frequent now, but you will still need to attend the follow-up appointments regularly to watch for minor changes that signify a need for changes to your treatment plan. Sometimes, teeth shift slightly after the braces are removed.

Can you shift your teeth?

While you can’t help your body’s natural tendency to allow your teeth to shift, you can avoid known behaviors that contribute to misalignment. Avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens, and never try to open things with your mouth. Nighttime grinding is another habit that may be a little harder to control. But, it will wear down your retainer over time and cause your teeth to shift. Controlling night grinding may require you to implement the following strategies:

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