So, while you should use Invisalign consistently throughout your life, you won't need to use them “forever.” Invisalign can be used to close gaps and unwanted spaces in the teeth. Large spaces of up to 6 mm could extend treatment time to 24 months, while smaller spaces require much less. Once treatment with Invisalign has ended, you may be reluctant to use another oral appliance. However, you should use the retainer as recommended by your dentist or orthodontist.
If you don't use it as directed, your teeth may start moving back to their original positions. After this process, it is essential to use an orthodontic retainer. You don't have to wear your retainer forever; just water it until the new bone is deposited to keep your teeth in place. It takes 9 to 12 months for your body to build up enough bone to stabilize your teeth, so you should wear the retainer for at least 9 to 12 years or as directed by your dentist.
It's essential to wear a retainer once you've finished your Invisalign treatment, as the retainer prevents noticeable changes to your teeth to maintain your smile. Since you must wear your retainers for the rest of your life, it's critical to take proper care of them to avoid replacing them frequently. In short, you'll have to wear your retainers for the rest of your life after finishing your treatment with Invisalign. Whether you have metal, transparent braces or removable Invisalign aligners, you'll need to use retainers.
Once the new bone has developed and the teeth have fully stabilized in their new positions, usually after a year, it is essential to use the retainer, but you won't need to use it as often; usually 3 to 5 nights a week is sufficient. During treatment with Invisalign, the jaw would have softened or disappeared so that the teeth could move to their final positions. After completing your treatment with Invisalign, you can expect a beautiful set of pearly whites. One of the many benefits of Invisalign is that it delivers results much faster than traditional metal braces.
There's no way to know for sure how easily your mouth will change until you start your treatment with Invisalign. Generally speaking, Invisalign braces and metal braces require the same amount of time for the same orthodontic problems; however, metal braces sometimes treat cases a little faster. When you're ready for the next steps, schedule a consultation with an experienced Invisalign orthodontist. Wearing retainers for life after finishing Invisalign treatment is essential for maintaining a beautiful smile and preventing teeth from shifting back into their original positions.
