
Keeping Your Smile in Place: Retainer Guidelines from House of Dentistry
Post-Procedure Aftercare Instructions
After the completion of your Invisalign treatment, your teeth are still settling into their new positions. For the first three months, your retainers should be worn full time, only taking them out when eating or brushing.
After this period, you can shift to wearing your retainers only at night; however, it is essential to continue doing so indefinitely. Just like muscles need consistent workouts, your teeth need regular support to stay aligned. Skipping nights or stopping altogether can lead to unwanted movement and a return to a misaligned bite.
Retainers are built to last, but they’re not indestructible. Most will stay in good condition for up to two years. That said, things like clenching or grinding your teeth, which many people do without realizing it, can cause the material to stretch and lose its shape sooner.
Your first set, which you'll be wearing for most of the day early on, is especially prone to this kind of wear. Even inconsistent use can affect the fit, leading to gradual shifts in your smile.
Routine Retainer Checks Matter!
Every six months, it’s a good idea to try on a duplicate retainer, if you have one, to compare the fit. If it feels significantly tighter than your current set, that’s a sign your original has stretched and needs to be replaced. Catching this early can help avoid lasting changes in your alignment.
If you only have one set, it’s harder to tell when something’s off — often, people don’t notice until their teeth have already started to move. At that point, new impressions can stop further changes, but they can’t reverse what’s already shifted.
To make things easier, we recommend Vivera retainers, which come as a set of four and are made from a durable material designed to maintain shape longer. Additionally, we will keep your digital scan on file, making it easy to reorder future sets as needed.
Ordering More Retainers
Ready to upgrade from a single set to a more reliable system? Contact House of Dentistry to schedule a scan for Vivera.
If you're already using Vivera, let us know when you start wearing your last set. It’s best to reorder before you run out — that way, you’re never left without a backup. As long as you haven’t had any significant dental changes and you’ve followed the wear guidelines, a new scan probably won’t be necessary.
Cleaning Tips
Want help keeping your retainers fresh? Bring them with you during your routine dental cleanings. We’ll take care of the deep clean so they stay clear, odor-free, and comfortable to wear.
Looking for dependable guidance on retainers in Metuchen, NJ? House of Dentistry is here to support your post-treatment care and help you maintain your smile for the long haul.