How Do I Keep My Teeth from Shifting After I Complete Invisalign?

It’s hard to beat the self-confidence that comes with a perfect smile, especially if it’s thanks to Invisalign®.

This innovative teeth straightening system revolutionized orthodontics. It’s transformed over 17 million smiles, with unmatched results for teens and adults alike.

And this “magic” happens almost completely unnoticed since Invisalign uses their patented and practically invisible aligner trays instead of clunky metal braces. 

At DentAlign NYC, Kenn Kakosian, DDS, PhD, specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry services. That means you can consider him your one-stop shop in Midtown East Manhattan for all your oral health needs, including creating dazzling smiles with the Invisalign system.

If you want to get results that last with Invisalign, Dr. Kakosian recommends taking these steps.

Understand how Invisalign works

Invisalign can completely transform your smile. However, to maintain your results post-treatment, it’s important to understand how. 

This aligner system works by placing gentle and precise pressure on your teeth. This gradually shifts them into their new, ideal positions. 

However, teeth aren’t floating around in your gums. Instead, they’re attached to bone in your jaw, which anchors them in place and provides stability. 

And the bones in your body, including your mouth, are living tissue. More simply put, they’re constantly breaking down and renewing. 

When you undergo Invisalign treatment, bone cells — or osteoclasts — break down old bone while your teeth slowly shift. This old bone gets reabsorbed into the bloodstream. 

Once your teeth reach their new positions, different bone cells, known as osteoblasts, make new bone. This process produces a strong, stable foundation for your teeth. 

Whenever you use your teeth, it helps strengthen this new position. In fact, each time you bite and chew, you activate the bone-building process. 

But it doesn’t end there.

Maintaining your Invisalign results

Dr. Kakosian recommends thinking of your smile like taking care of a car — they both need ongoing maintenance to stay in peak condition.

One of the best parts of Invisalign is that you get a preview of your final smile before you even begin. Seeing the final outcome often makes people even more eager to make it a reality. 

However, your new and improved smile also comes with responsibility.

When you undergo Invisalign treatment, your jawbone needs to become pliable enough for your teeth to move. And this state doesn’t end immediately when your teeth reach their new position. 

Instead, it takes several months for your body to build new bone cells to create their new, stable foundation. 

That means it takes effort — specifically, compliance — if you want your teeth to stay in their new position. More simply put, you need to wear a retainer. 

But don’t worry; Dr. Kakosian gives you a custom-made retainer and personalized instructions on how often to wear it. 

If you want to maintain your beautiful, new smile, you need to wear your retainer as directed. Generally, that can mean 24 hours a day — except when eating — for the first few months so your teeth won’t shift back into their previous positions.

Then, you can often switch to wearing your retainer while sleeping. 

Finally, it may be tempting to ditch your retainer occasionally, but you must use it if you want to keep your brand-new smile forever. In reality, noncompliance increases the chances your teeth return to their pre-Invisalign positions. 

Rest easy; Dr. Kakosian can help you get — and keep — the smile you’ve always wanted. Call or email us at DentAlign NYC, or schedule your appointment online today.