Once you’ve achieved your new smile with Invisalign, the next step is to maintain it. That’s why you’ll be encouraged to use a retainer to prevent your freshly aligned teeth from moving out of position.
Like your Invisalign aligners, retainers are made of durable, clear plastic. They’re custom-fit to your smile and require a bit of work to keep them in tip-top condition. You can read more about how to clean your retainer here.
The good news is that, for the most part, wearing a retainer simply takes discipline and routine. However, you may also encounter a few problems along the way. In this post, we explore 5 of those problems and explain how to overcome them, keeping your teeth straight and healthy in the process.
Problems with retainers (and how to fix them)
1. Discomfort
Removable retainers can sometimes rub against your gums, especially following your first fitting. For many patients, this discomfort is short-lived as they get used to the retainer, but for some, it can last longer.
If you experience ongoing discomfort, we’ll ask you to soldier on and continue to wear your retainer as instructed until you can see one of our specialist orthodontists. Doing so will minimise the risk of tooth movement. Once we’re able to see you, we can examine your mouth, retainer, and fit to alleviate your discomfort.
2. Damage
Retainer damage can occur due to wear and tear or incorrect cleaning and maintenance. For instance, if you’ve scrubbed your retainer with a hard-bristled toothbrush, it could result in tiny scratches forming on the plastic. Likewise, cleaning it with extremely hot water or abrasive toothpaste could warp and damage the plastic.
Put simply, a damaged retainer cannot maintain the alignment of your teeth. If you suspect even minor damage has occurred, speak to your orthodontist as soon as possible. Continuing to use a damaged retainer could impact your aftercare and harm the success of your Invisalign treatment.
3. Poor fit
Often a cause of the initial discomfort mentioned above, a poor fit can also come about due to wear and tear. As you insert and remove your retainer, day in, day out (along with cleaning), it’s only natural that the plastic starts to lose its shape. If you notice your retainer isn’t fitting as snug as it was before, you must flag this to your orthodontist so that you don’t jeopardise your alignment.
4. Plaque or mineral buildup
If you don’t care for your retainer properly, cleaning as instructed in this article, you could see white spots start to form on the plastic. This is likely to be plaque or mineral buildup, which can lead to the hardening or cracking of the retainer.
More importantly, placing a dirty and damaged retainer in your mouth puts your oral health at risk. Harmful bacteria can make themselves at home in the cracks, increasing your chances of infection.
If you notice these spots or damage, speak to your orthodontist to arrange a replacement.
5. Lack of motivation
Finally, the most significant problem is one that’s within your control. A lack of motivation to stay the course and use your retainer every day can lead to relapse, with your newly straightened teeth shifting out of position once more.
To counter this, we’ll support you wherever possible, helping you find a retainer that’s comfortable and fits well. Sometimes, all it takes is a reminder as to why you embarked on Invisalign treatment in the first place. Whether it was to fix a troublesome bite, resolve jaw pain, or become more confident with a bright and beautiful smile, remembering why you’re wearing a retainer can help you rediscover your motivation.
