Invisalign® Will Make Your Teeth Straight While a Retainer Keeps Them That Way

Invisalign® is a revolutionary new way to align your teeth and get that perfect smile you have always wanted. The fact that these aligners are virtually invisible makes it so that anyone can wear them without having to worry about any stigma that might be associated with regular braces. There are additional advantages in wearing an aligner that can be removed whenever you need to. For example, with traditional braces, once they are installed you have to keep them in place until the orthodontists removes them for you. With Invisalign, you can remove the aligning tray whenever you need, which means you have no restrictions on food or drink.
Once your Invisalign® treatment is completed, you will need to wear a retainer to ensure that your natural patterns do not undo all the great work you have accomplished. Depending on the severity of the condition you are trying to correct with Invisalign®, you may need to wear a retainer during the night for the rest of your life. The reason for this is the natural alignment of the mouth. When your teeth come in at a strange angle, are twisted, or come in one behind the other this is the natural order of your mouth. While it may not look attractive, your mouth will have a tendency to shift back towards this original placement once your treatment is over. You can prevent this, quite simply, by wearing a retainer. The decision you will need to make is whether you want to wear a permanent or a temporary retainer.
Many people prefer to get a removable retainer after they are done with their Invisalign® treatment. Since convenience is one of the hallmarks of Invisalign®, having a removable or temporary retainer goes along with this basic theme, and many simply wear their last aligner. Typically a removable retainer is worn during the night and taken out for daytime activities, though some orthodontists may require you to wear a retainer for longer based on the treatment you received. With their ability to be removed, these retainers have some distinct advantages and also some disadvantages. For one being able to remove the retainers, means that there is never any restrictions on food or drink. It also makes brushing your teeth and flossing a lot easier since you will not have to worry about getting the floss or bristles caught up in the retainer. On the flip side having a temporary or removable retainer, requires you to be diligent with wearing them, and they may not be as effective as a permanent retainer.
For people who would prefer just to forget about the hassle of having to put in retainers and remove them, a permanent retainer is a better solution. Placed into the mouth and attached to the teeth, a permanent retainer is far more effective from the standpoint of holding the teeth in place. The one major drawback with permanent retainers is flossing as it can be slightly tricky to floss around the retainer. However, most orthodontists will tell you that after getting your teeth moved with Invisalign®, a permanent retainer or a combination of permanent and removable retainers is probably the best option.

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