Wearing Retainers After Houston Invisalign

You or your child has just completed Houston Invisalign treatment and are ready to take on the world with a confident smile! But then our Houston dentist breaks the news that even though your days of Invisalign aligners are over, you still need to wear an orthodontic retainer. While this may be disappointing to learn, it’s not the end of the world. And given all the time and money you’ve devoted to your newly-aligned smile, the last thing you want is for your teeth to shift back to their previous position. 

Why Are Retainers So Important?

Retainers are designed to keep your child’s teeth in the proper position established by Houston Invisalign. For younger patients especially, whose jaws are still growing, retainers are necessary after orthodontic treatment, at least for a little while. Our Houston pediatric dentist warns that your child’s teeth are less stationary than adults, so wearing a retainer has numerous benefits: it stabilizes your bite, ensures teeth don’t shift back to their pre-braces position, and (in the case of pediatric patients), leaves room for wisdom teeth to erupt without moving any of your other teeth around.

Types of Retainers Available With Our Houston Pediatric Dentist

Depending on your orthodontic needs, our Houston dentist will suggest one of these three types of retainers.

1. Clear plastic retainer: virtually invisible and made of molded plastic that is custom-made for each patient, these retainers can be removed for eating and drinking. That said, because they are removable, younger patients often need to be reminded to wear them regularly and keep them in a safe place when removed for meals.
2. Removable wire retainer: This is the most common retainer and is composed of a wire and plastic attachment that secures it inside your child’s mouth. They are easy to adjust and clean and can be removed during meals. But like clear plastic retainers, younger patients are more likely to lose or forget to wear them, so parents need to monitor their child to ensure regular use. 
3. Fixed wire retainer: this type of retainer is a metal wire that is cemented to the back of the teeth and is typically selected for those whose teeth were significantly crowded, crooked, or widely spaced before dental braces treatment. Because this type of retainer is affixed to the teeth and cannot be removed by anyone other than our Houston pediatric dentist, the treatment won’t be interrupted by irregular use and cannot be lost.  

Ask Our Houston Dentist About Retainers After Invisalign

If you just completed or are nearing the end of your Houston Invisalign treatment, you may have some questions about wearing a retainer as the final step of this orthodontic journey. Our Houston cosmetic dentist can answer these questions and more; just give us a call to schedule an appointment to see us as soon as possible!