Aligners Vs Retainers – How Do They Differ And Which Do I Need?

When it comes to aligners vs retainers there seems to be some confusion with many people wondering what the difference is and whether they need to wear both appliances at some point during their teeth-straightening journey.

In simple terms, aligners help to ‘align’ the teeth by gently moving them into their correct position, whereas retainers help ‘retain’ the teeth in their new positions. Continue reading for a more detailed explanation of how aligners and retainers work and their role in orthodontic treatment. Let’s get started…

What are aligners?

It used to be that the only option for teeth straightening was metal wire and bracket braces. While these remain one of the best ways to straighten teeth, modern dentistry now offers an alternative utilizing clear customized aligners crafted from transparent medical-grade plastic and worn over the teeth like a mouthguard without a bracket or wire in sight.

What are retainers?

Retainers are also customised appliances and can be made from metal or plastic and be fixed or removable. Fixed retainers consist of a thin wire that is typically worn on the inside of the upper or lower teeth. In contrast, removable retainers can be transparent (in the form of clear trays) or composed of a plastic surface with a wire component.

ALIGNERS VS RETAINERS – THE DIFFERENCES

How they work

To gain a better understanding of the differences between aligners and retainers, let’s take a closer look at how they work in the orthodontic procedure.

Aligners are designed to straighten teeth

Similar to traditional braces, aligners exert gentle pressure on the teeth to gradually shift them into the desired positions. While traditional braces rely on wires and brackets to achieve tooth movement, aligners use a series of aligners. Every one to two weeks, you progress to the next set of aligners, until you have worn the last in the series and your teeth have reached their desired positions.

Retainers help the teeth stay in their new position

Once the braces or aligners have aligned your teeth, it doesn’t mean your orthodontic treatment has ended. Instead, patients enter a retention period where it’s essential to wear a retainer to stop their teeth from returning to their original position. Once the pressure from braces or aligners is lost, your body remembers your teeth’s old positions and starts to move them back.  Anyone who has orthodontic treatment will have to wear a retainer for several months or years to prevent relapse and maintain their new smile.

Advantages

Aligners can fix a wide range of dental problems including:

• Crowded teeth
• Overbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite
• Gaps between teeth

although in more complex cases, some patients may need to wear traditional braces. The benefits of straight teeth are improved oral health and esthetics. They also boost an individual’s confidence.

The benefit of wearing a retainer after teeth straightening is that it keeps the teeth securely in their new positions and ensures treatment is successful in the long term.

Duration of treatment 

Aligner treatment can be completed in as little as three months to one year or longer, depending on the complexity of your treatment and the number of trays (aligners) required.  Once your teeth have aligned, you will then need to wear a retainer for around six months after which you may only need to wear it overnight for the foreseeable future.

Retainers should be worn as recommended by your dentist but you can expect to wear a retainer every day constantly for the first six months following treatment and then every night for the next 12 months or longer. The goal is to keep your new smile aligned and prevent the need for further orthodontic treatment.

Replacement

Each aligner tray is designed to move the teeth in small increments and is swapped for the next tray in the sequence when that movement has been achieved. This usually means changing an aligner approximately every two weeks.

Retainers are worn constantly for around six months after orthodontic treatment, after which your dentist may recommend replacement if deemed necessary.

ALIGNERS VS RETAINERS – HOW ARE THEY SIMILAR?

The process of fabricating aligners and retainers is similar and involves an initial orthodontic evaluation followed by a 3D scan of your teeth. A visual model of your mouth and teeth is then used to fabricate your aligners and retainers using treatment planning software.

Suitability

Since children and adults regularly undergo orthodontic treatment, both age groups will require aligners and retainers.

Comfort

Accurate 3-dimensional impressions ensure a good fit with smooth edges that are gentle on the gums and inside of the mouth. Owing to the smoothness of the plastic material used to create them both appliances are relatively comfortable.

Appearance

Both aligners and retainers are transparent and hard to detect when they’re in the mouth, which is the main reason for their popularity.

Why wear retainers after aligners?

During orthodontic treatment, the pressure exerted by aligners or braces triggers a process known as bone remodeling, which reshapes the bone surrounding the teeth.

After the treatment, although the teeth have been moved to their desired positions, the bone and surrounding tissues need time to adapt and stabilize. The bone remodeling process continues for a while even after the braces are removed. Without proper support during this period, the teeth may gradually shift back to their original positions.

Wearing retainers helps ensure that the newly formed bone solidifies and establishes a strong connection with the teeth. This process is similar to allowing plants in a garden enough time to take root and establish themselves in the soil.

It usually takes about 9 to 12 months for the new bone to stabilize around the teeth in their new alignment.

The takeaway

Both aligners and retainers are a necessity in orthodontic treatment. Aligners are used to straighten the teeth and create a beautiful smile while retainers are there to maintain it.

Patients must follow their dentist’s instructions regarding the duration and frequency of aligners and retainers for successful long-term results.

Are you interested in straightening your teeth with aligners?

Why not schedule an orthodontic appointment with the experienced team at Chesterfield Dentistry? We offer Invisalign and ClearCorrect depending on a person’s dental needs, lifestyle, and budget. Please call us at 314-936-3621 or use our online booking service.