People who want to fix their teeth often choose Invisalign braces. They are clear, can be taken off, and are less obvious than standard braces. But some people may wonder if they will need braces again after their Invisalign treatment is over.
This article talks about the things that could happen after Invisalign that would require braces and how to keep that from happening. An experienced Invisalign dentist in Burlington can walk you through the process, making sure you get the best results and lowering the chance that you will need more dental care.
Understand Invisalign treatment.
With Invisalign, you wear a set of clear, custom-made braces that move your teeth into better alignment over time. Most days, the aligners are worn for 20 to 22 hours.
Every one to two weeks, a new set is given to the person. A 3D scan of your teeth helps a dentist make a personalized treatment plan that tells your teeth how to move.
Many people find that Invisalign works well, but it might not work for very complicated cases where teeth need to move a lot. Traditional braces may be suggested in this case.
Most of the time, though, Invisalign is a great way to get a better smile without having to wear metal braces.
The role of retainers after Invisalign.
It is important to wear a retainer after the Invisalign treatment is over. The retainer helps keep the teeth where they were fixed and stops them from moving back to how they were before. At first, retainers are worn all the time. But after a while, your doctor will probably tell you to only wear them at night.
To keep the benefits you got from Invisalign, you must wear your retainer as directed. Remember to wear your retainer every day, or your teeth may move back, ruining all the work you did during treatment. These moving teeth are sometimes the reason why you need more treatment, like braces.
When might braces be necessary after Invisalign?
Most people do not need braces after getting Invisalign, but there are times when regular braces may be better. If any of the following happen after Invisalign treatment, you may need braces:
1. Treatment goals are not complete.
Sometimes, Invisalign may not fully move the teeth the way you want them to. If the teeth did not move enough or are still not lined up right, braces may be needed to finish the treatment.
When Invisalign was not able to fully fix the alignment, braces can give you more exact control over how your teeth move.
2. Complex movement of teeth.
For people with more serious oral problems, like a lot of crowding, gaps, or teeth that are not lined up right, braces may be a better choice. Traditional braces are stronger and can handle more difficult cases, but Invisalign can help with many alignment problems.
With braces, you can move your teeth in more than one way at the same time, which is useful for making big changes.
3. Not putting on retainers.
Not following the retainer directions is another reason you might need braces after Invisalign. Your teeth can move back if you do not wear your retainer as directed or for enough time.
If you do not wear your retainer, your teeth could move back to where they were before you started Invisalign. If this happens, you might need braces to fix the problem.
Ask your dentist for advice specific to you.
After Invisalign treatment, you might need braces if the treatment did not fully straighten your teeth, if you had to make a lot of complicated moves, or if you did not follow the rules for your retainer.
Sticking to treatment plans, wearing braces regularly, and going to regular checkups can help keep results and keep you from needing more dental treatment. Taking care of the new tooth situation is just as important as fixing it.
Taking your dentist’s advice and taking care of your teeth can help you keep your smile straight.
