Whether you’re nearing the end of your Invisalign treatment or contemplating embarking on a teeth straightening journey, one question often asked by prospective patients is: ‘What happens after Invisalign?’ As a trusted cosmetic dentist, we understand the curiosity surrounding this popular orthodontic procedure.
In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about post-Invisalign treatment, from how to care for your retainers to what to expect a year down the line.
How Are Invisalign Aligners Removed?
Taking off your aligners is a straightforward and painless procedure.
After removing your aligners, you may notice residual pieces of resin from the Invisalign attachments have stuck to your teeth. Rest assured, this can easily be removed by your dentist in no more than twenty minutes.
What Will My Teeth Look Like After Invisalign?
Most notably, when your aligners are taken off, your teeth should be straight. Any gaps should be minimal, and previously existing crowding issues should be successfully resolved. Additionally, you should be able to notice an improvement in chewing and biting functionality, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment.
Invisalign can also correct overbites, underbites or crossbites. This can subtly alter the appearance of the lower jaw and contribute positively to enhancing the overall shape of your smile. This is due to the movement of protruding teeth.
Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, the maintenance phase can begin, commencing with the use of retainers. Neglecting proper post-treatment dental care can lead to:
- Teeth starting to shift.
- Teeth reverting to their misaligned state.
Do You Have to Wear Retainers Forever After Invisalign?
Clear retainers are approximately 30% stronger than your weekly or biweekly aligners and are specially designed to prevent your teeth from shifting out of their current position.
During Invisalign treatment, your jawbone would have softened or disappeared to allow your teeth to shift into their final positions. To hold your teeth in place while the new bone is formed, you will need to wear your retainers for 22 hours a day for the first three to six months following treatment.
Once that period has elapsed, your dentist may relax these requirements, however, you will still need to wear them at night for at least the next six months. In most cases, it takes up to a year for your body to build up enough bone to stabilise the teeth.
Do Teeth Move Back After Invisalign?
As long as you commit to wearing your retainers, your teeth should not move back to their original position post-Invisalign treatment.
When you put in your retainers, it’s advisable to pay close attention to how it fits. If you notice it feels tighter than usual, it’s likely that your teeth have shifted slightly. It’s important to stick to your retainer-wearing schedule as advised, and to promptly reach out to your dentist if any discomfort persists.
How to Care For Your Retainers
After completing your Invisalign treatment, your retainers become your new best friend. A few ways you can protect them from damage include:
- Store them in a case when not in use to prevent misplacement or accidental damage.
- Clean them regularly using soap and water or specialised retainer cleaning tablets to eliminate the buildup of bacteria.
- Always remove your retainers before eating to prevent food particles from getting trapped inside.
- Avoid wearing your retainers while consuming hot beverages to prevent them from melting or changing shape.
Can You Get Composite Bonding After Invisalign?
You might be wondering – why would I need composite bonding after Invisalign? Won’t my teeth be perfect?
While Invisalign can effectively straighten teeth, leaving you with a stunning, symmetrical smile, it doesn’t tackle common cosmetic concerns such as chips and cracks.
For those looking to achieve the perfect finishing touch to their smile transformation, composite bonding is the ideal option. This procedure not only refines tooth contours and sizes, but also resolves any lingering chips, cracks and gaps.
What Can I Expect One Year Post-Invisalign Treatment?
Once 12 months have passed following the end of your Invisalign treatment, your jawbone should be stable enough to hold your teeth in their new positions. Therefore, you will not be required to wear your retainers as often.
While your teeth may gradually shift over the years, significant changes in tooth position are unlikely once your jawbone has healed.
Interested in Invisalign Treatment? Get in Touch
At Lux Dental, we’re proud to be fully certified Invisalign providers, helping patients achieve stunning smiles they can be truly proud of. Now that you know what happens after Invisalign, why not start your journey today? Give us a call on 01509 621212 and book a consultation with one of our team members. We can’t wait to hear from you!