Once your Invisalign treatment is complete, you’ll be given a set of Vivera retainers. Vivera is part of the Invisalign brand and you’ll find that the retainers are very similar to your aligners; they are clear and molded to the shape of your teeth, but the plastic is a bit thicker to account for the fact that Vivera retainers are meant to last for a few years, rather than a few weeks. Here’s how to clean Invisalign retainers to maximize their lifespan.
Because Invisalign retainers have a similar design to aligners, you’ll find that cleaning them is almost the same process you used for your aligners. We recommend that you clean your retainer morning and night, at the same time you brush your teeth. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
There’s some controversy about whether it’s okay to use toothpaste with Invisalign retainers, since some dentists believe toothpaste can cause microabrasions on the surface of the retainers that can harbor bacteria and give the retainers a cloudy appearance over time. Invisalign itself says a small amount of toothpaste is acceptable, though, so as long as you make sure you’re using toothpaste without abrasives and you’re brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush, you shouldn’t have to worry about damaging your retainers. If you’d rather err on the side of caution, a little bit of liquid dish soap works well, too. Don’t clean your retainers with:
Invisalign retainers can last for years with proper care, but if you don’t take the time to care for them, you may need to replace them frequently. In addition to cleaning your retainers twice a day, follow these guidelines:
By wearing your Invisalign retainers and taking good care of them, you’ll ensure that your Invisalign results last a lifetime.
If you have questions about how to care for your Invisalign retainers, contact us today at 310-530-9893 .