Why Invisalign? Why Invisalign and Vivera Retainers?
We have recently been getting a lot of questions and inquires about Vivera Retainers and Invisalign from our Chicago Smile Design patients. We are a premier provider of Invisalign for 2 decades and wanted to take a minute and inform our patients and Chicago Invisalign customers about some commonly asked questions. We have included our link to our Vivera Retainers Youtube video below.
- Am I done after my Invisalign treatment?
- After the Invisalign treatment, like all orthodontic work, patients are required to wear a retainer to stabilize their teeth. This is best practice for maintaining your smile. Think about it, if your teeth have been moving for six months or more with Invisalign, then it would make sense to keep them steady and straight with a retainer for at least the same amount of time. The nice thing about these retainers is you will not need new ones every four to six weeks like with the Invisalign treatment. The retainer will be the same one for as long as you need it.
- What are my options?
- There are two options for the post Invisalign retainer: permanent and removable. For the patient who is more forgetful or doesn’t want to add another step to their evening routine, we would recommend the permanent retainer. The permanent retainer, simply stated, is like braces on the back of your middle six teeth. These retainers will stay on for years and in some cases even decades. For all others, we recommend the removable Vivera retainer. The removable retainer is to be worn every night for six months to a year, then can be worn every other night. However, once it is added to your evening routine it will not seem as burdensome.
- Does Invisalign make a post-treatment retainer?
- Invisalign uses top of the line materials to make their aligners and create the most effective orthodontic program out there. The Invisalign Vivera retainer is made of the same SmartTrack material as the Invisalign aliners. This material is considered to be 30% more durable than the top competing retainer brands. The Invisalign Vivera retainer is much thicker than most other retainers and aligners. This was intentional in its design since the retainer will be worn for long periods of time.
- How long will the Invisalign Vivera Retainer Last?
- As stated earlier, the Invisalign retainer is 30% stronger and twice as durable as the leading competitor and is expected to last for three to five years! When you purchase an Invisalign Vivera retainer you recieve 4 sets of tops and bottoms. The competitor brands will only give one set at a time, which is another great advantage to Invisalign products. They understand that sometimes life intervenes, whether you misplace them or your dog buries them in the backyard, there will be other sets ready to go without a long period of time between retainers. Invisalign wants the retainers to fit snug to your teeth, that is the main reason they provide the extra sets. Over time, the Vivera retainer may begin to loosen and move while you are getting used to wearing them. Simply switch sets and continue to maintain your beautiful new smile!
- How long do I need to wear my retainer?
- You will be wearing Invisalign’s Vivera, or whichever retainer you choose, for years after treatment. The Vivera retainer will become part of your nightly routine, and when kept clean and well maintained, will last for many years. It is recommended to wear the retainers every day for at least 6 months after the completion of the Invisalign treatment. After that, it is not necessary to wear every day, but you will want to avoid long gaps between wearing. Multiple week- or month-long gaps between wearing the retainer could lead to the Vivera retainer not fitting. This could potentially damage the retainer and require another Invisalign treatment. Maintaining a straight smile has many health benefits. Straight teeth will last longer, reduce jaw issues, and deter periodontal disease. Adding this simple and comfortable retainer will keep your smile straight and your mouth healthy!
- How do I clean my retainer?
- Keep your Invisalign retainer clean the same way you would your teeth—with a toothbrush and toothpaste. When brushing your teeth in the morning or evening, give your retainers a quick scrub with the toothbrush, rinse them off and store them back in their case. You will want to be gentle scrubbing them as not to bend or break the Vivera retainer. Otherwise, dish soap and hot water work nicely, as does letting them sit in mouthwash. It is important to keep the Invisalign retainer clean to prevent plaque buildup and bad odor from becoming a problem. Invisalign also provides cleaning crystals that you can add to a glass of water and soak the aligners in for fifteen to twenty minutes!
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