How many of you grew up with traditional braces and the wire retainers? Count me in those numbers as well. Only, I never went back to get my retainer, and therefore my teeth moved once my braces came off. With Jaden, she had an extremely positive response to her Invisalign Teen® treatments and is now in her retainer. Oh, and her smile? Amazing!

After Invisalign Treatment

The entire Invisalign process was smooth and relatively easy. Our orthodontist appointments took less than 15 minutes and Jaden never missed a day in her aligners. In fact, her ortho commented often on how well she was doing and that she was one of his best patients. The blue compliance indicators always told the tale for the dentist and her teeth finished the story. Jaden now smiles often — and with great confidence. After all, a straight set of pearly whites are truly something to smile about!

But, now that her treatment is over, she still has some “maintenance” to keep her teeth in place. We weren’t sure what was going to happen after her Invisalign treatment ended, but now have a better understanding.

So, for those curious about what happens next, let’s discuss the steps after treatment, should a retainer be recommended.

Make an appointment to have any attachments removed and to make molds of your teeth for a retainer
Pick up your retainer and get instructions on how often and when it should be worn
Let your orthodontist know right away if your retainer needs adjusting
Follow up with your dentist for regular appointments and adhere to instructions regarding your retainer

The material of a tray retainer will be clear just as your Invisalign trays were. Unless you need a fixed retainer, you will be able to remove the trays for eating, drinking, brushing and flossing. Unlike the Invisalign aligners, the retainer trays only work to hold the teeth in their place. Take proper care of your retainer and be sure to continue to wear it as directed to maintain your new smile!

Invisalign offers a great amount of reading material to help us, as parents, navigate the entire process. Head over to Invisalign Teen and take the Invisalign Smile Assessment to determine if Invisalign is right for you. Nothing like a few real-life stories and pictures to motivate you to prepare to celebrate a new smile! Whether you’re an adult or teen, Invisalign can help find a doctor to address your individual needs.