Today we’ll be going over what happens at the end of your orthodontic treatment.

What happens after orthodontic treatment?

If you had braces, you begin by removing all your brackets and wires. Afterwards, orthodontists polish all your tooth surfaces. At the very end, they will scan you to make your retainers.

If you had Invisalign, a very similar process occurs. Orthodontists will remove all your attachments and polish your tooth surfaces. If you have any buttons for rubber bands, they are also going to be removed as well. You’ll be given a set of retainers. Retainers are used to maintain your bite, alignment, and smile at the end of your treatment.

What are the different retainers that orthodontists offer?

If you had braces, they’ll offer you a clear Essix type retainer. If you had Invisalign treatment, they’ll offer you a retainer that is made by Invisalign. Now, depending on your specific retention needs, they can also offer a traditional Hawley type retainer.

It’s important that you wear your retainers consistently. If not, your teeth have a tendency to shift, relapse, or lose the corrections that were made.

How often should you wear your retainers?

I do recommend wearing your retainers for 20-22 hours a day for one full month. After the full month of wear, you should only wear them at night time. But I do recommend night time for a life time.

How to take care of your retainers?

You can clean your retainer by brushing it with soap, using an aligner cleaning tablet, or using a mini ultrasonic cleaner. Now, depending on how well you take good care of your retainers, they can last anywhere from 1 to 5 or more years.

Thanks for reading! And if you’re interested in learning more about orthodontic treatment, please check out other amazing blogs!