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 receiving orthodontic treatment, a retainer is a custom-made dental appliance frequently used to keep your teeth properly aligned. Our dentist might suggest a retainer if your orthodontic treatment is complete to maintain your smile’s optimal alignment. Your teeth naturally shift as you age, but a retainer keeps them in the right place for oral health, function, and beauty. Retainers come in three primary varieties:

  1. Hawley retainers are made of a plastic body that covers the roof of the mouth (for the upper arch) or extends along the tongue side of the teeth (for the lower arch), with wires and clasps inserted. The wire curves across the front of the teeth to keep them aligned, and the pins fit around specific teeth to secure the retainer in place.
  2. Clear retainers are crafted from transparent plastic and fit securely over the teeth. They are typically less noticeable than Hawley retainers but may be less durable.
  3. Fixed retainers, also referred to as bonded or permanent retainers, are installed on the lingual (back) side of the front teeth. These retainers are designed to prevent the teeth from shifting or misaligning and are not removable by the individual, requiring a dental professional for removal.

Our dentist will assess whether you require a retainer following orthodontic treatment. For further details, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

In addition to providing smile makeovers to residents of Sterling and the surrounding areas, we also provide the following orthodontic services in Sterling: candid™ clear aligners, invisalign®, and orthodontic treatment phases.