After you correct your smile with braces or clear aligners, what comes next? With any orthodontic treatment, you need to retain your results to prevent teeth from shifting back into place and undoing all your hard work. One potential option for retainers is the Vivera® removable retainer, from the makers of Invisalign®. These retainers have a more low-key appearance and are made from a durable plastic that resists cracking.
As Invisalign Diamond Providers, the Orthodontists Associates of Western New York are highly experienced with Invisalign clear aligner treatment and retention planning. Our practice offers Vivera retainers for orthodontic patients interested in a discreet retainer option.
Vivera® Retainer Features You Should Know About
What do you need to know about Vivera® retainers? First, they’re quite durable. Invisalign® says the retainers are at least 30% stronger and two times as durable as other clear retainers, making them less prone to cracking or breaking. Vivera retainers can also withstand teeth grinding, although they are not a treatment for bruxism.
Another advantage of the Vivera retainers is that it’s quite simple to access a backup retainer when you need one. The lab typically produces multiple identical sets, and we can easily request additional ones once we have your dental scan on record. So if you lose or damage your retainer, you’ll likely have another within reach.
Other benefits of Vivera retainers are similar to those of Invisalign. For instance, Vivera retainers have a subtle look. They are clear, removable trays that fit closely over your teeth. Unlike a Hawley retainer, which uses acrylic and a visible wire, Vivera retainers do not have a wire across the front teeth. Patients often appreciate their discreet look.
Just as Invisalign clear aligners feel less bulky than traditional braces, their retainers feel less bulky than the conventional option. In comparison to Hawley removable retainers, Vivera trays feel much smoother in the mouth.
Vivera retainers are not only for Invisalign patients. Depending on your needs, they may be an option after braces, another clear aligner system, or previous orthodontic treatment completed years ago.
Creating Vivera® Retainers
To create your custom Vivera® retainers, we begin with a digital scan of your teeth using the iTero intraoral scanner. This small handheld wand captures a detailed 3D image of your smile without the need for traditional impression material.
If you are completing Invisalign® treatment, we may be able to use your final digital treatment record. In other cases, we will take a new scan to ensure your retainers match your final tooth positions.
Once your Vivera retainers arrive, we will check that they fit properly and show you how to insert them and take them out. The retainers fit under your gumline for a comfortable, low-profile fit.
How To Use a Removable Retainer To Maintain Your Results
The way that we would recommend wearing Vivera® retainers depends on your smile. However, immediately after treatment, we may recommend wearing retainers all day, every day. For some patients, this may be recommended for 6 to 8 weeks, while others may need a different schedule, depending on their treatment plan.
After the teeth have stabilized, we will direct you to wear the retainers only at night. In the long term, nighttime use is recommended to help maintain alignment and prevent orthodontic relapse.
Once you reach the retention phase, our orthodontists will explain the best way to wear retainers to help protect your results.
Caring for Vivera® Retainers
To maintain your Vivera® retainers, follow some basic care tips. The following suggestions will help you keep your retainer in better condition in the long run:
- Remove retainers before eating and drinking anything other than water.
- Rinse them in lukewarm water after removal. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic.
- Store retainers in their protective case, never in a napkin.
- If a retainer cracks or no longer fits properly, reach out to our practice as soon as possible.
With these simple tips in mind, you can extend the lifespan of your retainer. However, if your tray gets damaged, switching to a new tray as soon as possible prevents relapse.
Learn more at a Free Consultation
If you’re considering your options for a removable retainer after Invisalign® or other orthodontic treatment, Vivera® removable retainers are a strong option available at our practice. As Invisalign Diamond Providers, our doctors see a high volume of Invisalign patients, including those with Vivera retainers.
We never charge until treatment begins. So it costs nothing to learn what to expect throughout your orthodontic correction and beyond. Book a free consultation at an office near you.
