What Is the Next Step After I've Finished My Treatment?
Feel free to ask ASK Dr BAK AI about your dental questions. Click on the button “ASK Dr BAK AI”
What Happens After You Finish Your Clear Aligner Treatment? The Truth About Retainers
Completing your clear aligner treatment—whether with Invisalign or another system—is a major achievement. You’ve committed time, energy, and consistency to transform your smile. But before you celebrate and pack away your aligners for good, there’s something important you need to know: Finishing treatment is a milestone, not the finish line. To keep your smile looking its best, there’s one non-negotiable: You must wear retainers—every night, for life. Let’s break down why this step is essential, what happens if you skip it, and how to protect the results you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Why Do You Need Retainers After Aligners?
Once your aligner treatment ends, your teeth are in their ideal position—but they’re also vulnerable to shifting. That’s because the bone and ligaments that support your teeth need time to stabilize around their new positions. If you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth can begin to revert toward their original misalignment—a phenomenon called orthodontic relapse.
Here’s why it happens:
The bone around your teeth is still remodeling
Ligaments have “memory” and pull teeth back
Natural growth—especially in the jaw and chin—can push teeth forward
The Aging Factor: Chin Growth and Lower Teeth Crowding
As we age, cartilage in our body continues to grow—including in the chin. Over time, this subtle growth can:
Shift your lower jaw slightly forward
Create pressure on your lower front teeth
Cause crowding and overlap—even in patients who once had perfectly aligned teeth
Wearing a night retainer helps counteract these natural forces, keeping your smile in place for years to come.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Retainers?
There’s no sugarcoating it: Retainers are for life. Just like brushing your teeth, wearing your retainer becomes a nightly habit that protects your investment in your smile.
Recommended Wear Schedule:
Immediately after treatment: Every night for the first 12 months
Long-term: Continue wearing retainers every night to prevent gradual shifting
Optional backup: Some patients wear clear retainers and switch to a permanent retainer bonded to the back of their teeth
What Happens If You Skip the Retainer?
🚫 Teeth begin to shift—sometimes visibly within weeks or months
🚫 Gaps or crowding can return
🚫 You may need refinement trays or retreatment
🚫 You risk undoing years of progress and investment
Don’t let that happen to you. A retainer is simple to wear—and the alternative is starting over.
Dr. Bak’s Philosophy: Build a Smile for Life
With over 25 years of orthodontic experience, Dr. Bak Nguyen understands that finishing treatment is just the beginning. His goal isn’t just to give you a beautiful smile—it’s to help you keep it for a lifetime. That’s why every treatment plan includes custom retention strategies, regular post-treatment checkups, and ongoing guidance to help you stay aligned and confident.
Book a free virtual consultation to learn more about your case, its treatment time and cost with Dr Bak Nguyen (the real one).
What are aligners made of - Invisalign plastic material - Clear correct - Straumann - BPA-free aligners - Medical-grade plastic in clear aligners - Clear aligners comfort - Invisalign durability - Biocompatible orthodontic plastic - Orthodontist Montreal - Clear braces material -Aligner composition