Invisalign retainers...?

I am about to start Invisalign treatment for a total of four months. I thought "great", four months and I'd be done. My dentist told me I would have to wear a retainer when I was done at night. However, I have been reading message boards on the Internet and it seems like everyone had to wear a retainer day and night for about 3-4 months and then start to wear it only at night? Does this sound right? Is it possible my dentist lied in order to make Invisalign more intriguiging? This would actually make a four month treatment into like 7 or 8? Please help!

Invisalign retainers...?
In layman's terms, your teeth and gums have a memory. Anytime you move teeth, regardless of whether it's with Invisalign, braces, or some other appliance, they tend to relapse back slightly.





By definition, retainers "retain" the teeth in a desired position. Active appliances like Invisalign move teeth by applying force to them. Retainers apply a force to teeth only if they shift out of place; and even then that force only returns the teeth to where they were when the retainer was made.





Wearing a retainer 24/7 for 3-4 months is standard practice for most orthodontists that I know. I'd be worried if they told you any less. After the initial period, you can start wearing your retainer progressively less often, as instructed by your doctor.





Regardless of how you move your teeth, be it Invisalign, braces, or anything else, you will always need a retainer to maintain their position.

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