Retention period
When, after many months or years, the braces are finally removed, most patients feel they can finally breathe a sigh of relief: the perfect smile has arrived, the work is done. The truth, however, is that this is when the second most important – indeed, lifelong – phase of orthodontic treatment begins: the retention period.
But why do you need to wear these plastic aligners? What should you look out for when choosing a retainer, and why are you throwing your money down the drain if you opt for cheaper alternatives? In this article, we’ll answer all your questions and show you what we recommend to our patients!
We’d just like to add a personal note for those who are at the start of their treatment, or are only just planning to begin. In many cases, 1–1.5 years seems like a very long time, but once you’re in the thick of the treatment and have got used to a dietary routine that’s so beneficial for your health, you’ll hardly want to take off your invisible braces, because you’ll realise just how many additional benefits they bring – benefits you could never have imagined. Many patients tell us that they’ve never eaten so consistently in their lives and are in the best shape they’ve ever been in. Many also mention that they’ve given up compulsive nail-biting, a habit they’ve had since childhood, at the same time as giving up smoking. So, the retainer may seem daunting at first because of the time you have to wear it, but once you’re into the treatment or nearing the end of it, it’s not a problem or a bother at all – quite the opposite, in fact.
Why is it compulsory to wear a retainer after orthodontic treatment?
The answer can be summed up in a single word: relapse. The bone tissue surrounding the teeth and the fibres of the gums have an extremely strong „memory”. Once the braces are removed, the teeth almost immediately try to return to their original, crooked positions. The bone needs time to stabilise in its new position.
The retention splint acts as a barrier to prevent this relapse. If we did not wear the retainer (for 20–22 hours a day for the first 1–2 weeks, and then at night thereafter), all the time, pain and money we have invested so far – which we set aside for orthodontic treatment – would be wasted in an instant.
What should you look out for when making a choice? – The pitfalls of quality
When choosing a retainer, we are essentially buying peace of mind for the coming decades. Globally, there is a vast array of cheap, mass-produced, home-mouldable or lower-quality laboratory-made plastic retainers on the market. This is mainly due to 3D printing technology, but there are huge differences in price and in performance. What should you look out for?
Material quality and elongation: Cheap retainers are made of a more porous and less durable material. Over the course of months, they stretch out and lose their hold at a microscopic level. You think you’re wearing the retainer, whilst your teeth are slipping imperceptibly, a tenth of a millimetre at a time.
Wear and breakage: Night-time teeth grinding (bruxism) or even just jaw muscle activity can easily cause traditional mouthguards to crack.
Hygiene and comfort: Rails with a rougher surface can rub against the gums, are more prone to discolouration, and bacteria that cause unpleasant odours can settle in the micro-scratches that form on them.
The market-leading solution: What makes Invisalign Vivera different?
When it comes to premium quality and genuine durability, the system developed by Invisalign Vivera retention system It currently dominates the global market completely. And why is it so much better value than traditional rails?
1. An unbeatable material, 30% stronger
Vivera uses its own technology, developed by the world’s leading clear aligner company. The patented, medical-grade material can even More durable and resilient with 30% against tearing and stretching, compared with standard, laboratory-vacuum-formed retention splints.
2. The best value for money: You get it as a pack, not individually!
This is Vivera’s biggest global selling point and the main argument in its favour: Vivera does not supply a single pair of rails or a single rail, but provides a complete set comprising 2–3 pairs (top and bottom). Why is this a problem? If you’re given a traditional ski and you accidentally lose it whilst on holiday, or step on it, or perhaps the dog chews it up, then:
- Your teeth will remain loose for days (or weeks).
- You’ll need to book another appointment with the doctor.
- A new impression will need to be taken (possibly using the traditional, uncomfortable putty method, where a 3D scan is not available).
- You’ll have to pay the full price of the rail again.
With the Vivera package A brand-new replacement pair that fits perfectly will be in your drawer straight away. You don’t take any risks whatsoever, and in the long run it’s much more cost-effective than reordering broken standard rails one by one.
3. Digital precision that never goes out of date (iTero)
Vivera rails are state-of-the-art iTero 3D laser scanner They are made using this technology, fitting the teeth and gum line with micron-level precision, guaranteeing perfect comfort. And the best bit? The system stores a 3D model of your dentures in the cloud. If, years later, you’ve used up all your Vivera spares, from the dentist’s surgery – No fingerprinting! – The original, perfect track can be reordered at the touch of a button.
Summary: Your smile deserves protection
The retention period isn’t a game, but a lifelong investment in your health and self-confidence. The competition often appears to be cheaper, but the package only includes a couple of retainers, the material It is of inferior quality; due to the risk of breakage and the lack of a spare, this is bound to cost you more in the long run. With the Vivera system, you’re not just buying aligners, but also peace of mind and a guarantee of a lasting, beautiful smile, and you’ll have at least one spare set of aligners, but if you really want to be on the safe side, choose the 3-pair version, which offers even better value for money.
