Do I need retainers after Invisalign?
Quick answer
Do I have to wear a retainer after Invisalign?
Yes. Teeth naturally try to move back after straightening, and retainers are the only reliable way to keep your result.
Most patients wear removable retainers at night long term, or have a thin fixed wire bonded behind the front teeth. At York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet, removable retainers are £199 per arch, fixed retainers £195 per arch, and Vivera retainers £495 for a set of three.
What you need to know
Teeth keep moving slightly throughout life, whether or not you have had orthodontic treatment. That is why “lifetime retention” is now standard advice. Stopping retainer wear is the most common reason teeth crowd again.
Vivera retainers are made by the same company as Invisalign and are stronger than standard clear retainers; a set of three means you have spares if one is lost or damaged. Fixed retainers are invisible from the front but need careful cleaning with floss threaders or interdental brushes.
Ask whether retainers are included in your Invisalign package before you start. If yours no longer fit, call us rather than forcing them. See Invisalign in West Byfleet and how long Invisalign takes.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
