Vivera (Invisalign)

Invisalign Overview

Invisalign is a brand of custom, in-office clear aligners. The aligners fix misaligned teeth and a bad bite by gradually moving teeth into the right positions. 

Clear aligners like Invisalign are popular alternatives to traditional metal braces. They are removable, easy to clean, and natural-looking. 

To maintain results after treatment, Invisalign recommends wearing a Vivera™ retainer. 

What are Vivera™ Retainers?

Vivera™ retainers are Invisalign’s official retainer designed to keep the teeth in place post-treatment. They are made of the same high-quality, clear SmartTrack™ material as Invisalign aligners. 

Vivera retainers are thicker than Invisalign because they are meant for long-term use. A single set can last up to several years if you care for them properly.

When Invisalign treatment is complete, you’ll need to wear your Vivera retainers every night indefinitely or as your dentist recommends. Your teeth will shift back out of alignment if you don’t wear them as directed.

Pros and Cons of Vivera Retainers  

Vivera retainers are not your only option. You’ll want to consider their advantages and disadvantages to ensure they’re right for you. 

The pros of choosing Vivera retainers include:

• Custom-made to fit your teeth
• Protection of your Invisalign treatment results
• Maintenance a healthy and well-aligned bite
• Up to 30% more durable than other clear retainers
• Removable and easy to clean

The cons of Vivera retainers include:

• More expensive than other options on the market
• If a tooth’s size or shape changes as a result of dental work, you might need a new set
• You must clean them daily to prevent staining and bacteria growth

How Much Do Invisalign Retainers Cost?

Retainer costs vary depending on where you buy them. Vivera retainers range in price from $400 to $1,000. 

However, this package contains four sets of top and bottom retainers (for a total of eight). You’ll pay less per retainer than if you bought a single set from another manufacturer. 

Speak to your orthodontist for other options. You may be able to buy them in single sets or add them to the cost of your treatment. 

How to Order Vivera Retainers

Follow these steps to order your Vivera retainers:

• Schedule an appointment — Find a Vivera provider near you. Take your time to select the ideal doctor for your needs. 
• Get fitted — To improve comfort and results, all Vivera retainers are custom-made to fit your mouth. Request a digital scan from your dentist to be fitted for Vivera retainers.
• Make an order — You can order your new retainers directly through your provider.

Wear Schedule for Vivera Retainers 

For the first few months after treatment, your Vivera retainers should only be taken out when you eat or brush your teeth. This keeps your teeth in place while new bone grows around the shifted teeth. 

It takes your body 9 to 12 months to grow enough bone to keep your teeth stable without wearing a retainer. Your teeth will shift if you don’t wear them as required.

3 to 6 Months After Treatment

Your jawbone softens during Invisalign therapy. This allows the teeth to shift into their final positions. 

For the first 3 to 6 months after you finish Invisalign, you’ll need to remember some important habits as new bone grows in:

• Wear your retainer for at least 22 hours a day 
• Remove only when necessary (for brushing, eating, and flossing)
• Clean and rinse your retainers often

6 to 12 Months After Treatment

At about 6 months, your dentist will evaluate your teeth to ensure they’re still in place. Your body may have built sufficient bone to stabilize your teeth during this period. 

During this phase, you should:

• Wear your retainers at night instead of all day (8 to 12 hours) 
• Visit your orthodontist for progress checks-ups
• Continue practicing good oral hygiene
• Store your retainers in a case when you’re not using them

12+ Months After Treatment

During this stage, your dentist or orthodontist will determine if enough new bone has formed to stabilize your teeth. 

Ideally, at this stage, you should wear your retainer every night for the rest of your life or as your doctor recommends.

Vivera Retainer Maintenance & Replacements 

You must wear retainers for the rest of your life. You’ll need to take excellent care of them to avoid the need for frequent replacements. 

Here are some ways to keep your retainers in good shape:

• When not in use, store them in a hard, clean case
• Use cleaning products like the Invisalign Aligner Cleaning System or Invisalign Cleaning Crystals 
• Remove them before eating, so food doesn’t get stuck and cause damage/bacteria buildup
• Avoid drinking hot liquids to prevent the plastic from melting or warping

How Do You Get Replacements?

The recommended times for Vivera retainer replacements are:

• Full-time users — Every 3 months
• Nighttime users — Every 9 months

In general, whenever your retainers appear cracked, damaged, or broken, it’s time to replace them.

When you need new retainers, your orthodontist will have your file on hand and can place an order with Invisalign to make you a new set(s).

Summary

Vivera retainers are the official retainer of the Invisalign brand. Wearing them helps maintain the results after treatment.

You’ll need to wear your Vivera retainers all day for 6 to 12 months after treatment to keep your teeth from shifting back. Then, you can switch to wearing them at night indefinitely.

Vivera retainers range in price from $400 to $1,000 for four sets. They are custom-made to fit your teeth and can last several years with proper care.