A woman holding a blue dental retainer, smiling showing her heathy straight teeth.

After you have completed your orthodontic treatment plan, our dentist and team will create custom retainers to fit your teeth perfectly to keep them from slipping out of place. If you have any questions about retainers in Sterling, Virginia, or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Joyce Bahng, call JB Dental Associates today at 571-366-3830.

After completing orthodontic treatment, a retainer is often recommended to help maintain the alignment of your teeth. Our dentist may suggest a custom-made retainer to keep your smile in its ideal position. As we age, our teeth tend to shift naturally, but a retainer helps prevent this movement, ensuring your teeth stay properly aligned for both function and appearance.

There are three main types of retainers:

  1. Hawley Retainers: These have a plastic base that sits on the roof of the mouth for upper teeth or along the inside of the lower teeth, with a wire running across the front to keep them in place. The wire and clasps hold the retainer securely.

  2. Clear Retainers: Made from clear plastic, these fit snugly over the teeth and are less noticeable than Hawley retainers, though they may not be as durable.

  3. Fixed Retainers: Also called bonded or permanent retainers, these are attached to the back of the front teeth and can’t be removed without a dentist. They’re designed to prevent teeth from shifting and keep your smile in line.

Our dentist will determine if you need a retainer after your orthodontic treatment. If you’d like more information, feel free to reach out to us!

Along with providing smile makeovers to residents of Sterling and nearby areas, we also offer a range of orthodontic services, including candid™ clear aligners, invisalign®, and orthodontic treatment phases.