{"id":107,"date":"2022-07-06T16:53:29","date_gmt":"2022-07-06T16:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplyorthowebster.com\/blog\/?p=107"},"modified":"2022-07-06T16:53:45","modified_gmt":"2022-07-06T16:53:45","slug":"how-long-do-you-need-to-wear-your-retainer-after-invisalign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplyorthowebster.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/06\/how-long-do-you-need-to-wear-your-retainer-after-invisalign\/","title":{"rendered":"You Asked, We Answered: Do I Need to Wear My Retainer Forever?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Patient<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Did you recently complete your Invisalign<\/a> treatment? Maybe you\u2019re just weeks or days away from working through your entire series of clear aligners. Either way, congratulations! Finishing your time with braces is a big milestone that\u2019s worth celebrating. Just make sure to prioritize wearing your retainer. After all, this little orthodontic appliance plays a big role in preventing orthodontic relapse. \u201cHow long will I need to wear it?\u201d, you ask? Here\u2019s the answer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

So, Do You Have to Wear Your Retainer Forever?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Decades prior, patients were encouraged to wear their retainers for one or two years. However, the staggering cases of orthodontic relapse proved that length of time simply wasn\u2019t enough. After all, your teeth can begin to move back into their previous positions a few months or several years after you\u2019re done with braces. Therefore, orthodontists now agree that wearing a retainer each night should be a life-long best practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Happens If You Don\u2019t Wear Your Retainer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t wear your retainer, the chances of you experiencing orthodontic relapse increases significantly. In short, this means that both the time and money you invested in braces were essentially wasted. The good news is that if your retainer still comfortably fits, you can begin wearing it again to prevent further movement. If it no longer fits, don\u2019t force it. Instead, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to discuss re-treatment or having a new retainer made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To: Properly Care for Your Retainer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Invisalign retainers can last for 5+ years with proper care. To avoid paying for a replacement sooner than you need to, you should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n