Can I Use My Invisalign Aligner Instead of My Retainer?

I’m finishing up my Invisalign treatment. I was scared I wouldn’t like it but it’s been awesome. Only the friends I told knew I wore the aligners. They were really comfortable. My friends always complained about how their braces hurt, but mine never hurt. I’m supposed to get a retainer, but that’s going to be metal. Can I just wear the last aligner instead of getting the metal prison?

Lisa L.

Dear Lisa,

I”m glad you enjoyed your Invisalign treatment. Most patients love it. I wouldn’t recommend using your aligner in place of a retainer though. It’s not that it will hurt your teeth. And, it will keep your teeth in place, but it isn’t designed for long-term use. Two things are going to happen. First, it’s going to get a little “used” feeling and you’ll want to switch it out. Then, it will also start to wear down.

So you know, you’re no longer relegated to metal tooth prison with retainers anymore. There are more options these days. There are retainers which are clear plastic, like your Invisalign and wrap around your teeth. Others can cover the top of your mouth. They can even customize them to have different colors or designs.

Another option is a lingual retainer. It is metal, but it goes behind your teeth so no one will see them.

The key is to talk to your dentist. Let him or her know why you’re not wanting to wear the retainer. They can make sure you know all your options and help you make a choice you’ll be completely comfortable with.

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