You’ve completed your Invisalign treatment, and your teeth are now beautifully aligned. Congratulations! It’s a big milestone and one that can bring a huge boost to your confidence.
But while your Invisalign journey may be coming to an end, there’s still one more crucial step to ensure your new smile stays straight for years to come —wearing retainers.
At Abbey House Dental, we’re often asked, “What happens after Invisalign?” or “Do I really need to wear a retainer?”
In this article, we’ll walk you through what to expect after finishing your Invisalign treatment, why retainers matter, and how to keep your smile looking its best for the long term.
Before diving into the “after”, let’s quickly remind ourselves of the “during”.
Invisalign is a modern, discreet alternative to fixed metal braces. Instead of brackets and wires, you wear a series of clear, removable aligners that gradually shift your teeth into their new positions. Each set is custom-made and worn for about two weeks before moving on to the next.
Throughout the treatment, you’ll visit your dentist for regular check-ups to monitor your progress and collect your next aligners. Treatment time varies, but for most adults it ranges between 6 and 18 months, depending on the complexity of your case.
Once your last set of aligners has been worn, and we confirm your teeth are properly aligned, it’s time to move into the retention phase.
After months of treatment, your teeth are finally in their ideal position. But here’s the catch: your teeth are not yet fixed in place.
Teeth naturally have a tendency to move – a process known as relapse. This is especially common in the months following orthodontic treatment, as the bone and gum tissue around your teeth take time to stabilise.
Without a retainer, your teeth can start to shift back to where they came from – undoing all that hard work. A retainer helps to:
Think of your retainer as your insurance policy – small effort, long-term reward.
There are two main types of retainers commonly used after Invisalign: removable and fixed.
These are custom-made clear trays, much like Invisalign aligners, but thicker and more durable. The most common choice for use following Invisalign is Vivera retainers, made by the same company (Align Technology). They’re discreet, comfortable, and easy to clean.
Removable retainers:
These are thin wires bonded to the back of your front teeth (usually the lower or upper front six teeth). They stay in place permanently and provide continuous support.
Fixed retainers:
This is one of the most common questions we get at Abbey House Dental – and the answer might surprise you.
In the short term, you’ll likely need to wear your retainer almost full-time for the first few weeks or months after finishing Invisalign. This gives your teeth time to settle into their new positions.
In the long term, after the initial period, you’ll usually transition to night-time wear, typically every night while you sleep.
If you want to really ensure your teeth remain straight forever, you should continue to wear your retainer for life. While it may sound like a big commitment, wearing a retainer at night becomes second nature. It’s a simple habit that protects the investment you’ve made in your smile.
Like anything you wear regularly, retainers need a bit of TLC to stay in good condition. Here are our top tips for keeping yours fresh and effective:
For removable retainers:
For fixed retainers:
Skipping retainer wear can lead to relapse, the gradual shifting of your teeth back to their original positions. This can cause:
Even if the changes seem minor at first, they can become more noticeable over time. It’s always easier and far more cost-effective to keep things in place than to fix things later.
Retainers don’t last forever. Over time, they may wear out, crack, or become loose. At Abbey House Dental, we recommend replacing removable retainers every year or two, depending on use.
If you lose or damage your retainer, contact us as soon as possible. The sooner we can replace it, the less chance your teeth have to move.
We also keep digital scans on record, so in many cases, we can reorder a new retainer without needing you to come in for a new scan.
Keeping your smile straight is only part of the picture. You’ll also want to keep it healthy and sparkling. Here’s what we recommend after Invisalign:
If you’re reading this before starting treatment – or you’re partway through – you might be wondering what Invisalign treatment at Abbey House Dental is really like.
We’re here to help you with every aspect of your full, personalised Invisalign journey. This includes:
We’re with you every step of the way – from the first consultation to the final smile reveal and long after that.
Whether you’re just exploring the idea of straightening your teeth or nearing the end of your aligner treatment, knowing what happens next is a crucial part of the process.
Wearing a retainer may seem like a small step, but it’s one of the most important investments you can make in your smile. At Abbey House Dental, we’re here to make sure your Invisalign results last a lifetime, with support, advice, and personalised care whenever you need it.
Contact us today to book your consultation.
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Our Invisalign® aligners can fix a large range of teeth position issues, by using a set of clear aligners which are custom made to your teeth and almost invisible.
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