Retainer Instructions
Superior-Strength Clear Retainers for Post-Orthodontic Treatment

Congratulations on finishing your Invisalign treatment and achieving the smile you have always wanted. You are now ready to begin the retention phase to maintain your beautiful new smile.
The retention phase of orthodontic treatment signifies the end of active orthodontic treatment and indicates that you and your doctor are satisfied with the current final position of the teeth.
It is absolutely critical that you comply with your doctor’s retention instructions if you wish to protect your hard work and investment made during active treatment. This is the most critical part of your treatment and is essential to maintaining your results. You MUST wear retainers provided by your doctor for life. This is the most critical part of your treatment and is essential to maintaining your results.
SIGNIFICANCE OF SMILE RETENTION
The retention phase of treatment comes after tooth movements using the aligners have been completed. Due to the tendency of teeth to shift in the human dentition, you can expect that your teeth will naturally begin to shift back to their original position once your prescribed course of clear aligner treatment is complete UNLESS you wear your retainers as directed.
You MUST wear retainers provided by your doctor for life. This is the most critical part of your treatment and is essential to maintaining your results.
The single set of retainers included with your initial investment will last most likely 6 to 18 months. They should be replaced due to wear or issues with firmness or cleanliness. There is a fee when you order new retainers. People who clench and grind will need to replace their retainers more frequently than patients who do not clench and grind.
RETAINER WEAR AND CARE
For the first 3 months, wear your retainer 24 hours a day. After that, wear it at night only.
- If you notice any shifting of your teeth when you move to night-only wear, wear your retainer for 24 hours a day for an additional month. If after that additional month your teeth are still shifting when you move to night-only wear, please contact us immediately.
- Retainers should be cleaned with a toothbrush and water every time you brush your teeth. Toothpaste can dull the finish of your retainers. If calcium is depositing on your retainers, soak them for 15 to 30 minutes using a cleaning tablet or in a solution of white vinegar.
- Insert your retainers with Munchies Maintain. You can also use Munchies Maintain as directed for teeth you are concerned are shifting.
Lingual Bars
(Only applicable to certain patients)
Upon completion of your clear aligner treatment, lingual bars may be installed for an additional fee. These are rigid metal reinforcements placed behind your teeth to prevent them from moving. You must clean around your lingual bar carefully and diligently every night to prevent plaque and gum disease.
Breaking or Losing Your Retainers or Lingual Bar
Each retainer is custom-made to exacting standards. However, a retainer may break if, for example, it is forced into place after the teeth have moved as a result of not wearing it as prescribed. Please note that retainers can be easily crushed if not kept in the case when not being worn. Also, keep in mind that hot air or hot water will distort your retainers, ruining their fit and function and possibly causing them to break.
- The lingual bars can break with excessive force and pressure, so you must be careful not to use any unnecessary force while biting and chewing.
- If either your retainers or lingual bars are lost or broken, call immediately.
New Dental Work
Any dental work that you know is needed should be completed prior to having the digital impression for retainers. You may need to have new retainers made if dental work is completed after the retainers are made. We do our best to have new dental work fit under old retainers, however often it is impossible. If new retainers need to be manufactured, there is a fee.
Fees
If you require additional treatment because of your failure to comply with your doctor’s retention instructions, there will be additional charges to redo clear aligner treatment and have retainers manufactured.
Your initial set of retainers is included in the Invisalign fee. Once those have cracked, broken, or lost their elasticity, please contact us, and we will order you additional retainers for a fee. If you continue to use broken or non-retentive retainers, your teeth will move. The initial retainer usually last 6 to 18 months.
If new retainers need to be made due to new dental work, there is a fee. If your lingual bar needs to be replaced within 1 year, it is under warranty. After 1 year, there is a fee.
About Vivera Retainers
The Vivera Retainer is a product from Invisalign that is meant to maintain teeth that have been aligned. It is a clear removable retainer that is thicker and tougher than the typical Invisalign aligner. Vivera retainers are made using 3D imaging, thermoplastic material, and Invisalign’s proprietary technology.
Because Vivera retainers are made of much tougher material (including advanced fabrication technology) they last longer than other clear retainers
Vivera retainers are very similar to your aligners and quite comfortable. The first months after you complete Invisalign, the more you can wear your retainers the better. Please refer to the retainer contract for recommendations on wear.
As an added benefit, use whitener in your Vivera retainers to whiten your teeth. Additional whitener can be purchased for a fee.