And they are meant to retain. They are meant to retain BETTER than their washed up cousin - the original Invisalign Retainer. Seems the cuz didn't exactly do what it was supposed to do...
mostly because we expected too much from them.
And "much" has actually happened since I last posted. I had worn the cousins round the clock for 3 months after finishing my treatment. Then I cut back to about 14 hrs/day, still with the original set. Decided after 6 months to switch to the 2nd set I'd ordered as a backup ($180 @set) because those first cousins were getting a bit dingy looking.
Well! I could tell immediately that the first set allowed some slight relapse movements because that new set fit TIGHT & my teeth were sore for about a week until they got used to this new set! Not a good thing. And Invisalign apparently became aware of this need for shorter duration of their Retainer's lifespan right about that same time.
After wearing my 2nd Retainer set for the past 3 months round the clock again, I've just today switched to the "new & improved" Vivera. Every 3 months a new set will be sent directly to me from Invisalign for a one year subscription: 4 sets in total. Cost: $300 even, including S&H. This is just the lab fee charged to my office - they do not add a professional fee on top of that as a courtesy to their Invisalign patients. And I appreciate that - thank you, Office!
(BTW, all of my Retainers thus far have not had any irritating rough edges - whoever has been trimming all of my aligners has done an exceptional job)
Vivera is actually the exact same product as the originals - same plastic, same gauge - you just wear them for a shorter duration before they get a chance to deform & stretch, allowing your teeth to shift without you even being aware of it. From the Vivera website:
"Lab tests comparing our proprietary clear thermoplastic material to other leading clear retainer materials showed that it is more than 30% stronger1 - a critical quality for keeping teeth in their desired position.
Self-corrects minor relapse
The superior strength of Vivera retainers enables them to self-correct (back to the final retained position) certain types of minor relapse that may occur during the subscription period (up to .25 mm per tooth), much like a spring aligner. Should you need additional movement, Invisalign dimpling pliers will also work with Vivera retainers."
This is what concerns me now:
Teeth should settle somewhat naturally after the original treatment is over - some are even "over-corrected" in anticipation of that. Molars do settle more readily in Hawleys or bonded wires simply because there is no plastic covering them & preventing occlusal contact.
With even the minimal shifting that will occur after wearing the Invisalign (or Essix) Retainers for a few months, once a new set is inserted your teeth are forced to "self correct" each time & go back to the way they were with your very last aligner in your treatment. How will this allow your roots to heal sufficiently & permanently if they are constantly getting shifted about - even if it is minimal shifting???
I guess I really didn't FULLY appreciate that bit about "retention being the most challenging & important part of orthodontia" until now.
I'm tellin' ya - the thought of those Hawleys gives me the willies. Just took my mother for new dentures & figure they gotta feel much the same.
I'm not exactly thrilled - but, not about to compromise my teeth at this stage of the game. I gave some consideration to Hawley type retainers &/or bonded wires - but only slight. Neither appeals to me at all - both have their drawbacks in my opinion so Invisalign's are still the best match for me. Even those who had conventional braces now have the option of using Vivera - that's a first.
