Invisalign Vs. Retainer: Which Is The Best Option For You

Written By Anica Oaks / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

When it comes to handling problems with your teeth, there are typically a couple of options that you can choose from. Many individuals find themselves dealing with the problem of crooked and oddly spaced teeth. Luckily, both retainers and Invisalign are great options.

What Is a Retainer?

A retainer is an oral health device that is used to straighten the teeth. It may be used by itself or following a braces regiment. There are three main types of retainers that dental professionals use. These include Hawley retainers, Essix retainers, and permanent retainers. Depending on the needs of their patient, a specific type of retainer will be recommended over others.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is growing in popularity as a great alternative to wearing metal braces. When most of us picture braces, we think about clunky hunks of metal and connecting wire rods between the teeth. Invisalign gets rid of the clunky metal and creates a clear straightening solution. Orthodontics professionals are more involved with Invisalign treatments as the patient will need to get new aligners every couple of weeks.

Which Is Best?

As you've likely discovered from the information above, neither is a replacement for the other. Rather, Invisalign or braces is the first major step in straightening a person's teeth. Once the teeth are straightened, a retainer is used to help hold that new realignment to ensure the teeth stay in place. Therefore, neither a retainer nor Invisalign is better than the other.

Do I Need Invisalign or a Retainer?

If you notice that your teeth are growing crooked or you have oral pain, then it's time to speak to a qualified dentist. If they notice that your teeth could benefit from Invisalign or a retainer, then they'll refer you to an orthodontist. This is a dental health professional that specializes in dental procedures. They will render a verdict on what type of oral health device you will need if any.

People are taking care of their teeth better than ever before. With more and more oral health treatments evolving every day, it can be a bit confusing to keep up with all of them. Hopefully, you now understand what the differences are between Invisalign and a retainer. If you believe that you could benefit from either of these oral health devices, it's time to talk with your licensed dentist to get the scoop.

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Written By:
Anica Oaks is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.

Reviewed By:    

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash