These days, many people are interested in optimizing the appearance of their teeth. In many cases, this means wearing braces to make the teeth straighter. As many orthodontists will tell you, wearing a retainer after having braces can be critically important to ensure that the teeth remain straight. Oftentimes, patients opt to purchase a Vivera Retainer from Invisalign for this purpose.
At Runnels Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, we offer Vivera Retainers to our orthodontic patients. We treat patients of all ages including kids, teens, and adults to help them get beautiful, straight, healthy smiles. Whether you opt for Invisalign or braces, Vivera Retainers can help maintain your smile after treatment has concluded. Contact Runnels Orthodontics today to schedule your consultation. We’ll work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment option for your needs.
Vivera Retainer: Basics
As studies have already indicated, teeth that have been straightened through the use of braces can revert back to their original position without the use of a retainer. By wearing a Vivera retainer following use of traditional braces, you can ensure that your teeth remain in the new, correct position.
Cleaning Your Vivera Retainer
There is no general consent regarding the single most effective way to clean one’s Vivera aligners. There are a wide variety of retainer cleansers on the market. You can find recipes for homemade cleansers or opt to purchase the cleaning solution sold by Invisalign.
According to research studies, the sodium hypochlorite that is found in bleach is effective in disinfecting retainers and breaking up stains. One cleansing option you may want to consider is store-bought Clorox (full strength is 5.25% NaOCl). You could also soak your retainer in a mixture of 1 part bleach:10 parts water solution. Make sure that the bleach isn’t coming into contact with your clothing.
In the event that you want a more convenient solution that you don’t have to make at home, you can try denture or retainer cleansers sold online or in stores. However, keep in mind that many officials say there are distinct differences between denture and retainer cleansers, which means that you may want to go with the latter option.
In the event that your retainers have any caked on residue, be sure to soak them in your cleansing solution and then brush them lightly with your toothbrush. Many officials argue that your Vivera retainer should not be brushed with toothpaste. According to these officials, toothpaste contains abrasives and silicates that will cause the retainer to accumulate bacteria and scratch them.
If you’re interested in keeping your Vivera retainer as clean as possible, note that the strategies above can be of great assistance to you. Also be sure that you are consulting with Dr. Scott Runnels to ensure that your retainer and teeth are in great shape. Good luck!
