So what happens after?

[stormy]

I have 2 weeks left on my Invisalign treatment. What happens after?

They take off the attachments... I know that.

My teeth have minor chips in them and I'm curious if orthodontists usually shaves down the teeth to make em even.

Also what type of retainer do I get? Does it look exactly like the ones I have now?

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

If you don't need refinement, your tooth movement is complete.

Your orthodontist may help you equilibrate the incisal edges of your teeth. This means that they will smooth out the edges that are chipped, but there is a limitation to the amount of correction that can be made, depending on the size of the chip. We describe it as something like a manicure for the teeth. If the chip is too large, you may require restorative work at the dentist.

Retainers for Invisalign patients include:

-the last set of aligners
-fixed lingual retainers (the wires on the inside of the teeth)
-essix retainers (clear retainers similar to your aligners, but lab or in-house fabricated)
-Vivera retainers (a subscription from Invisalign for 4 sets of retainers, with the first set being fit in the office. The remaining are mailed every 3 months to the office or to your place of residence. They look like the aligners but are slightly more sturdy).

Keep in mind that if you have some adjustment to your teeth, you will likely want a new impression so that your teeth fit properly in the retainer.

[stormy]

couldnt ask for a better response. Thank you very much

[linconitegf]

Markhamcentreorthodontics thats very useful information you have given there.

Can I ask you, my otho has told me that when my top trays are finished (2 trays time) then I should continue wearing it until my bottom teeth are straightened (5 extra trays on the bottom). Is there any risk that my top teeth will lapse back slightly if I wear the top final invisalign tray for an extra 2.5 months. I don't want to lose my final tray shape - is there any risk of this? Is it normal to avise patients to do this?

[havingitdoneintheuk]

Hey lincon, I have to wear my last top aligner for 20 weeks until my lowers are done then refinements. No harm done, been in the same one now since Feb and no movement.
If you don't need refinements, your ortho should do a retainer for you.

[stormy]

Ive had my final bottoms in for 10 weeks now since my top aligners arent finished yet. How is it possible for your teeth to lapse when you have your FINAL aligner in? it doesnt matter how long you wear it... you could wear it for a whole year and they wont move.

[stormy]

Ive had my final bottoms in for 10 weeks now since my top aligners arent finished yet. How is it possible for your teeth to lapse when you have your FINAL aligner in? it doesnt matter how long you wear it... you could wear it for a whole year and they wont move.

[PrincessLauren]

Has anyone else heard of glueing your teeth together instead of a retainer?

I have just had my initial consultation and my orther said it is an option if I am fed up with aligners at the end of the treatment or if my teeth refuse to stay in the right position! He showed me a pic and its done on the back of the teeth so you can hardly see it. Hummmm....

[Zoso]

I wonder if what you saw was a bonded retainer - perhaps a fibreglass one, like the one pictured here: Dentistry Source

[PrincessLauren]

Maybe.... it just looked like clear glue over the back of the teeth on the photo. Will have to ask more when I go back next month about it. L xx.

[Punkin]

Ive had my final bottoms in for 10 weeks now since my top aligners arent finished yet. How is it possible for your teeth to lapse when you have your FINAL aligner in? it doesnt matter how long you wear it... you could wear it for a whole year and they wont move.

I had the same thought, but I think what linconitegf was worried about was the last tray losing its shape and stretching, allowing your teeth to move.

[myhollywoodsmile]

I read one the blog Smiling Wide Open that the lady found that either her last set, or her retainer (can't remember which) did change shape, and she didn't realise until she went to insert a replacement and found it very difficult.
I think she then switched to vivera retainers (which you change every three months) in order to avoid this problem.
I think it sounds feasible that trays could warp, they get a fair amount of battering being in your mouth, and with all the insertion and removal.

[linconitegf]

Thanks for the reply havingitdoneintheUK it is good to hear someone else has been told to do the same thing and the teeth haven't moved at all.
Yes myhollywoodsmile I read that blog and that was what I was concerned about.
I guess when I next see the dentist I will raise the concerns I have and see what he says. I'll keep you all posted :-)

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Markhamcentreorthodontics thats very useful information you have given there.

Can I ask you, my otho has told me that when my top trays are finished (2 trays time) then I should continue wearing it until my bottom teeth are straightened (5 extra trays on the bottom). Is there any risk that my top teeth will lapse back slightly if I wear the top final invisalign tray for an extra 2.5 months. I don't want to lose my final tray shape - is there any risk of this? Is it normal to avise patients to do this?

The trays do risk losing shape, but it should not be significant enough to cause worry.

All of our treatments now require the same number of trays for the upper and lower arches. This means that teeth may move faster in one arch than another. The other practical reason for this is that our patients like to have fresh trays.

[myhollywoodsmile]

That is a great idea Dr Tam, I didn't realise that it was possible. I have 17 upper and 34 lower and would lhave liked to have had fresh aligners for the top every two weeks.