Tweak Your Mindset
Many people like to think of their retainer as simply an extension of their Invisalign treatment and this helps them accept retainer wear. For others, this mindset makes them feel like their alignment efforts are never ending.
Differentiate between the work of Invisalign and the retention of a retainer by speaking with your Invisalign provider and getting yourself in the right frame of mind going forward. When you know what’s ahead, the transition is that much easier.
- Ask if a retainer will feel different than Invisalign trays.
- Learn about the different types of retainers available and whether you have a choice.
- Get instructions about retainer wear – is it only at bedtime?
- Look forward to no longer having to carry an Invisalign case with you.
Maintain a Cleaning Routine
It’s just as important to keep your retainer clean as it was to keep Invisalign trays clean, so the appliance stays clear, clean, and odor-free. This requires daily rinsing and gentle brushing and a good weekly soak. Follow your Invisalign provider’s instructions to the letter and remember that the work you’re doing for your retainer is far less labor intensive than the requirements you had for Invisalign trays.
- Rinse and brush the retainer daily, but don’t use toothpaste.
- Soak weekly in recommended cleaning tablets.
- Store the retainer safely in its case when not being worn.
- Brush and floss teeth thoroughly before putting the retainer in place.
The last thing you want is to wear a retainer for multiple hours while sleeping and have bacteria, plaque, or food particles caught in the fine crevices or between retainer and teeth. Make these small efforts for ongoing positive results.
Celebrate Yourself
By the end of 12 to 18 months or more of Invisalign treatment, patients are excellent at following a routine. Apply the same dedication to your retainer wear. After all, a retainer is non-negotiable. Every patient who wears Invisalign successfully has a retainer at the end of treatment – no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It’s critical to understand and accept that this appliance is designed to keep newly aligned teeth in place and all those months of hard work will only be maintained with the support of a customized retainer.
Reaching the retainer stage of Invisalign treatment is a major milestone. It shows you committed to your oral health, wore every set of trays as instructed, and found yourself with a gorgeous, straight smile at the end of it. Congratulations!
Don’t go to bed without your retainer. Soon enough, you will forget it’s there and the routine will be permanent and smooth. If you’re interested in finding out whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign, contact Dr. Charmaine Johnson, Fort Lauderdale Invisalign provider and cosmetic dentist at the Premier Smile Center.
