You’ve done it. After the time spent wearing your invisible braces for 20-22 hours a day, you just can’t stop staring at your new, straight set of teeth in the mirror.
We hate to break it to you, but the work does not end here. It does get easier though. Your teeth are in constant movement because the bone around your teeth are still soft from the invisible braces treatment.
To counter that, you need to retain your new smile with… retainers.
Why is it important to wear retainers?
Prevents teeth from shifting
After wearing your clear aligners, your teeth might have a tendency to “rebound” or go back to their old position as a result of muscle memory. Retainers help prevent this by putting just enough pressure (much less than from braces) on your teeth so they can “retain” their position.
Regardless of the type of teeth straightening treatment, you need to wear retainers to maintain the position of your teeth. They need to be worn until your teeth positions stabilise.
That’s why it’s absolutely crucial that you wear retainers after invisible braces.
Types of retainers
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons of the different types of retainers you can find:
Wire retainers
Aka the “hawley retainer”. These are the colourful plastic ones with a metal wire that going across your teeth you’d think of when you hear the word “retainer”. These ones are usually more durable throughout the years. But are not discreet (sometimes even unsightly) if you were to wear it during the day.
Clear retainers
3D-printed and designed to fit your teeth, clear retainers are comfortable, easy to wear, and certainly won’t cramp your style! Once you’ve completed your treatment, you’ll be able to start wearing ZenyumClear™ Retainers to keep your teeth straight.
Fixed retainers
Fixed or permanent retainers are attached to the back of your teeth with adhesive. While the good news is that you won’t forget to wear them and your teeth won’t shift so easily, the bad news is that they can cause discomfort and can be difficult to clean.
How long do you have to wear retainers for?
Typically, your teeth will need at least a year to stabilise into their new positions. It’s usually advised that you wear them full time/nightly during the first year after completing your clear aligner treatment. However, as every smile is unique, your treating dentist will advise you on how long your retainers need to be worn for.
Smile Tip:
We recommend wearing them after you’ve brushed your teeth at night. You can remove them in the morning when you brush your teeth.
How to care for your clear retainers
To ensure your retainers last, it’s best not to eat or drink while wearing them. Also, clenching or grinding your teeth may cause your retainers to crack or break easily It’s best to speak with your treating dentist about these issues if you have them. And chances are, you’ll need to replace your retainers more frequently too! Zenyum offers retainers in sets of 2 or 3 pairs, so you’ll always have a spare pair available at any moment.
To clean them, use mild soap and a soft brush to remove any residue found on the surface. Another method is to soak them in room temperature water with aligner/retainer cleaning tablets, which can be purchased from your dentist or local pharmacy.
FAQs
Do I absolutely need to wear retainers after Invisible Braces?
Yes, wearing retainers after Invisible braces treatment is essential to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original positions. After treatment, the surrounding bone tissue is still remodeling itself to stabilise your teeth in their new locations. Retainers hold your teeth in place while this process occurs. Typically, your teeth will need at least a year to stabilise. Based on your unique case, your treating dentist can advise you on how often you need to wear your retainers.
What happens if I don't wear my retainers?
If you skip wearing your retainers, even for short periods, your teeth may start to shift back to their original positions. This can reverse the progress you made with your clear aligner treatment and cause your teeth to be misaligned. In this instance, you may need to restart clear aligner treatment to straighten your teeth again.
What should I do if I lose or damage my retainers?
Please contact the Zenyum team immediately if you’ve lost or damaged your retainer. We’ll make the necessary arrangements to get you new ones, so that you can keep your smile straight!
