What Happens After the Last Invisalign Tray?
Are you bothered by the appearance of your teeth? Would you like to have a straight smile without using obvious and clunky traditional metal braces? This is possible thanks to Invisalign treatment Glenview. With Invisalign, it is possible to discreetly realign your teeth and obtain a straight and beautiful smile without having to deal with the discomfort caused by traditional metal braces. Having a straight smile can help boost self-confidence, which can positively impact how you live your life.
Invisalign treatment gradually and discreetly realigns the teeth using clear plastic aligners that can be taken off when eating or brushing. Removable clear aligners are used in Invisalign treatment, making them a more comfortable option to realign teeth than traditional metal braces. But what happens when you finish your Invisalign trays? The answer to this question is discussed below, along with other things you can expect after Invisalign's last tray. Read on to find out.
What Happens When You Finish Your Invisalign Trays?
Once you are done with the last tray of Invisalign, your Invisalign dentist Glenview will provide you with an Invisalign retainer. These retainers help to provide the finishing touches to Invisalign treatment by preventing the teeth from shifting back into their pre-alignment positions. The movement of teeth after alignment is usually experienced more among teenagers than adults, as the bones of teenagers are yet to ossify fully.
The procedure for developing retainers is similar to the steps in developing Invisalign trays. Your
dentist Glenview IL will perform one last scan of the patient’s teeth, and a retainer that perfectly covers the patient's teeth will be created after the scan is finished. These retainers keep the teeth from shifting out of the desired position and help you maintain the results obtained after Invisalign treatment.
Types of Retaining Devices
- Traditional wire retainers: This is the most popular technique for maintaining dental alignment, and it is usually utilized after metal braces. These retainers are made of bendable wire that spans across the teeth and a custom-made plastic top that aligns with the top of the mouth. This retainer type is very resilient and easy to clean and is usually recommended in
orthodontics treatment for patients with active lifestyles. Additionally, traditional wire retainers let the teeth move naturally rather than covering the teeth with a clear plastic lining. However, the drawbacks of this type of retainer include the fact that it may affect how people talk until they become used to the plastic sensation against the top of their mouth. This retainer type is also very obvious, unlike the clear tray retainers.
- Clear plastic retainers: This retainer type looks like Invisalign trays but is made up of a more durable material. Clear plastic retainers are similar to Invisalign trays in that they slide over the teeth. While wearing these retainers, it is easier for people to communicate as nothing is placed over the mouth’s roof. Additionally, these retainers are transparent, which lessens their visibility while worn. Proper maintenance of these retainers is required as they may turn gray or yellow if not maintained properly, which can negatively affect the appearance of the teeth. Also, the fact that clear plastic aligners cover the teeth means that the teeth are not able to come together naturally after Invisalign treatment.
Do I Need to Visit My Orthodontist After the Last Invisalign Tray?
You may have questions about what happens after the last Invisalign tray. Do you still have to visit your orthodontist now that your Invisalign treatment is finished? Even though you won't visit your orthodontist as frequently as you did throughout your Invisalign treatment, you can still anticipate a few more visits. There is usually a follow-up visit several weeks after your last Invisalign tray. Your orthodontist may ask to visit you again in about six months to one year to ensure everything remains excellent.
Benefits of Having A Straighter Smile
In addition to improving the appearance of your smile, having a straighter smile also provides some health benefits. These benefits include:
- Lowers the risk of tooth decay by making the teeth easier to clean
- Lowers the risk of gum disease
- Helps to protect your general health, as oral problems can lead to other problems in your overall health, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Caring for Retainers After Invisalign Treatment
Taking care of your retainers is essential to ensure that you obtain the best results from your treatment. Caring for your retainers also saves you the time and cost of buying replacement retainers before schedule.
- Clean your retainers regularly: Proper and regular cleaning of retainers is required to prevent harmful bacteria from contaminating the interior of the retainer, which can harm the teeth it was designed to protect. You can clean your retainers by scrubbing them thoroughly with soap and water. The other choice is to buy pills designed for the sole purpose of cleaning retainers. This method of cleaning retainers is simpler because the retainer needs to soak for about twenty minutes in the solution containing the disintegrated tablet.
- Remove your retainers when eating or drinking: It is important to remember to remove your retainers when eating or drinking to prevent bits of food from sticking to the retainers. Before placing the retainers back after eating, you should brush your teeth and rinse the retainers.
- You should also avoid activities that can harm your teeth, such as smoking. It is important to also avoid sticky candy or chewing gum as it may stick to your retainer.
Discussing with your Glenview dentist what to expect after Invisalign treatment can help you maintain the results of your Invisalign treatment. You can also look up “dentists near me” online to find dentists in your area.
With Invisalign, you can start your journey to obtaining a straight and beautiful smile. Get in touch with Glenlake Dental Care by calling us at (847) 892-4696 today to learn more about Invisalign's finished treatment and what happens after Invisalign.
