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Do You Have to Wear A Retainer After Invisalign® Treatment?

April 2024

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Whether you straighten your teeth with Invisalign aligners or braces, wearing a retainer after treatment is essential to preventing relapse. Teeth shift naturally due to everyday habits such as chewing and grinding1 and retainers keep them in place.

A popular question people ask about Invisalign treatments is, what happens when you are done wearing Invisalign aligners or braces? What is the next step to preserving that beautiful new smile? Retention, with Invisalign Retainers called Vivera™ retainers.

What are Vivera retainers?

Vivera retainers are great for preserving the smile you worked so hard to achieve with teeth straightening treatment. Made by the makers of Invisalign aligners, Vivera retainers are comfortable and hard to see while you wear them.

Vivera retainers are 30% stronger and twice as durable as other leading clear retainers.2 It ensures your retainers will stay rigid after long wear time and your teeth will stay in place and not shift. They have the strength and durability to withstand teeth grinding without compromising effectiveness.3

Talk to your doctor about Vivera retainers. Don’t have a doctor? Visit the Invisalign Doctor Locator page to find an Invisalign provider who provides Vivera retainers near you.

What makes Vivera retainers different from traditional retainers?

Vivera retainers are more comfortable than other retainers

Vivera retainers are customized for your smile with comfort in mind. Nine out of ten surveyed users agree that Vivera retainers are the most comfortable retainers they’ve ever used.4

Doctors are more satisfied with Vivera retainers

Doctors who’ve used Vivera retainers are more satisfied with Vivera retainers than with other retainers.5 In fact, doctors prefer Vivera retainers over in-house retainers and lab-made retainers in terms of retaining teeth in position and patient satisfaction.6

Vivera retainers are more discrete than other retainers

Vivera retainers offer the same virtually invisible look that Invisalign aligners are known for. They are made with a high-grade, biocompatible material to resist discoloration and tarnishing.

Talk to an orthodontist to learn more about the differences between Vivera retainers and traditional retainers. Find an Invisalign provider who provides Vivera retainers near you with the Doctor Locator tool.

What's the difference between Vivera retainers and Invisalign aligners?

The difference between the two are the materials used to make them. Invisalign aligners are made to gradually shift your teeth, and each aligner is meant to be worn for only a few weeks at a time, depending on your doctor’s instructions. Vivera retainers are made to keep teen in place, so its material is much more rigid than Invisalign aligners to prevent tooth movement.

Are Vivera retainers removable?

You can easily take Vivera retainers out because they are designed to be removable.

How long do you have to wear a retainer?

You can remove Vivera retainers whenever you need to eat, drink, brush your teeth, floss, clean your retainers, or play sports. However, it’s important to listen to your doctor’s advice and follow their instructions about when and how long to wear your Vivera retainers.

Do I have to wear Vivera retainers forever?

Most doctors agree that retainers are important to keep the smile you worked hard to achieve. Each person’s situation is different but, as time goes on, your teeth can move and shift. If you don’t wear a retainer, your teeth might return to their original positions, undoing all the progress made with braces or aligners. Retainers help maintain the results and help protect the investment you made in your beautiful smile.

Your doctor can explain how retainers fit into your treatment plan. Use the Invisalign doctor locator tool to find a provider who provides Vivera retainers near you.

How do I clean Vivera retainers?

To keep Vivera retainers clean and smelling good, use a regular toothbrush (or a denture toothbrush) and non-abrasive toothpaste. Brush the retainers gently and rinse thoroughly before wearing them again.

You may also use Invisalign™ Cleaning System crystals which are specially designed to keep aligners and retainers odor-free, hygienic, and clear by soaking them for 15 minutes.

How much do Vivera retainers cost?

The price of Vivera retainers can be different for each person. It depends on what you need and your orthodontic care provider. Some dental insurance plans might help cover the cost of Vivera retainers. You can check your policy or call your insurance company’s customer service to learn more. If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), you can also use that to pay for Vivera retainers. Some providers offer financing with benefits of low monthly payments. Ask your provider what financing options are available to make Vivera retainers affordable.

How do I get started?

If you are currently wearing braces or straightening your teeth with clear aligners, ask your doctor about Vivera retainers at your next checkup. If you recently finished treatment or want to replace your existing retainers, use the Invisalign Doctor Locator to find a Vivera retainers provider near you.


Disclaimer: The information contained in this website are for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you may have regarding any dental or medical-related condition and never disregard or delay seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website.

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  1. Teeth Retainer. Cleveland Clinic. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10899-teeth-retainer) Accessed 4/26/24
  2. Such as Essix Plus, Essix Ace, Essix C+, Invisacryl A. Data on File at Align Technology as of January 13, 2022
  3. Durability is defined as the ability to withstand cracking and breakage of the retainer. Strength is verified by retention force, the ability of the retainer to provide sufficient corrective mechanical loads to retain teeth in their defined positions. Based on the verification testing conducted on upper and lower typodont arches, force system is evaluated upon tooth movements: buccal/lingual, inclination, and rotation. Vivera retainers are not cleared for the treatment of bruxism. Data on File at Align Technology, as of May 08, 2023.
  4. 93% of surveyed users agree that Vivera retainers are the most comfortable retainers that they’ve ever used. Based on survey data of Vivera retainer users (n=74) in the USA who have used at least two different retainers in the last five years who were asked, “Please indicate your agreement to the following statement: My Vivera clear retainer is the most comfortable retainer I have ever used.” Data on File at Align Technology, as of January 25, 2022.
  5. Data on File Align Technology as of July 2017. Based on survey data of orthodontists in USA, who have used Vivera retainers (n=315), who were asked to answer the question, “How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the following retainers you have ever used?”
  6. Data on File at Align Technology as of July 2021. Based on survey data of dentists in USA and Canada, who have used both in-house made retainers and Vivera retainers (n=92), who were asked to answer the question, “Which retainer do you prefer on the following dimensions?” Retain teeth in position, patient satisfaction.