3 Reasons You Should Never Skip Wearing Your Retainer

Once you are done with Invisalign, you might be excited about being completely done with your aligners. You might’ve been antsy to show off your new smile, but your dentist gave you a retainer before sending you off. This oral appliance may look just like your trays, but it serves a very important purpose. While hearing you’ll need to wear it consistently might bring you down, here are three reasons to stick with it.

1.)  Avoid Orthodontic Relapse

Although you worked hard to get a healthier bite, your grin won’t stay like this forever when left alone. Your teeth may shift naturally due to factors like aging, oral habits (like nail biting), or even your biological memory. This last one is also called orthodontic relapse, but it’s when your dental structures move back to where they used to be.

This can happen because your bone and gum tissue aren’t entirely used to your smile’s new position. Both will need to resolidify and harden, which can take several months. Once your mouth gets accustomed, you can go from consistently wearing your retainer to just at night.

2.)  Save You Money in the Long Run

Going a bit off the point above, if you do develop misalignment again, then you may need another round of Invisalign to correct your grin. You’ll have to fork up more time and money to get another round, but this oral appliance can help prevent this. That way, you don’t need to worry about spending more to keep a balanced look.

Not only that, but a benefit of clear aligners is you’ll have an easier time taking care of your teeth. Since more of the surface is exposed, you can effectively brush and floss. That way, you get rid of plaque that causes cavities and gum disease, which can be costly to treat at times.

3.)  Enjoy Your Straight Smile for a Lifetime

In the end, you may simply feel more confident with a balanced smile. You might start to feel more open to talking and laughing in groups. With this, many start to build closer relationships in their lives. By wearing your retainer, you hold your teeth in place, so you can continue to feel your best. Simply keep up with it, and you can flaunt the results you worked so hard to get for a lifetime.

About the Practice

At Signature Smiles at Edison, our team is passionate about helping patients in the local community maintain beautiful, lasting results after orthodontic treatment. Dr. Hiren Shah is proud to offer Invisalign and a full range of dental services to support your grin at every stage. If you want to learn more about why you need a retainer, schedule an appointment or call our office at (908) 834-8448.