How often do I wear my Invisalign retainer?
We recommend wearing your retainer every night. During the day you don't need to wear your retainer, but it’s essential to place them in before going to sleep to prevent any tooth movement. The recommended wear time is 10 hours/night so if you can place them in after your last meal that would be ideal.
Do I need to wear my retainer forever?
In short, yes. Retainers prevent teeth from gradually returning to their initial position after Invisalign or braces treatment. Today's paradigm is that retention is for life – the right retainers and retainer maintenance can protect the investment you’ve made in your smile and save you money in the long run. If you choose not to wear your retainer, there will be an additional cost to redo your orthodontic treatment.
How do I take care of my retainer?
In the morning, take them out, brush them underwater with your toothbrush without toothpaste. Then place them in a container or glass and fill them with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to a level just high enough that the retainers are submerged, and you can leave them there until nighttime.
How often should I change my hydrogen peroxide solution?
You can keep using the same solution for 1 week. We recommend changing it on Sundays to make it easy to remember. Rinse and clean your case with a small amount of soap before replacing the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
How often will I need to replace my retainer?
Your retainer should last you anywhere from 3-5 years.
How do I get a new retainer?
Call us, and we can help determine how to get you new retainers. If you have diligently worn your retainers, we can often use a previous digital teeth scan for your new retainer.
I haven’t worn a retainer in a while. What do I do?
Come in for an exam, and we’ll determine the best options for a new retainer.
Can I have a retainer over a lingual wire?
Yes, we can make a clear retainer that will fit over the wire and work to keep the alignment of your back teeth and the front. Typically we place lingual wires if their were large gaps between your teeth prior to Invisalign that needed to be close.
