Retainers in Fredericksburg at One Orthodontics

Why Retainers Matter

After your treatment, your teeth are in their new positions but the surrounding bone, gums, and ligaments are still adapting. Without proper retention, teeth can gradually creep back toward their original positions. Retainers help:

• Hold your teeth steady while associated tissues stabilise.
• Prevent relapse of crowding, spacing or bite changes that may arise post-treatment.
• Protect your investment in treatment, whether traditional braces, clear aligners (see Invisalign) or adult corrections (see Adult Orthodontics).
• Maintain your smile’s aesthetic and health benefits long term.

Types of Retainers & What We Offer

At our Fredericksburg office we provide tailored retention solutions. We’ll guide you on the best option based on your treatment history (including Early Orthodontics cases, Surgical Orthodontics referrals, or Bite Correction support) and your lifestyle.

Removable Retainers: The Vivera® Difference – While there are many types of clear removable retainers, we proudly offer Vivera Retainers, which are made by the same company as Invisalign®.

We recommend Vivera because they are significantly superior to other common retainers:

• Superior Strength & Durability: Vivera retainers are made from a proprietary material that is 30% stronger than other clear retainer materials. This makes them far more durable and resistant to cracking or breaking.
• Precision Digital Fit: They are fabricated using the same state-of-the-art 3D digital scan of your teeth. This ensures a precise, comfortable fit that holds your teeth in their final position with high accuracy.
• Long-Term Convenience: Because your digital model is saved, ordering a replacement is fast and easy if you ever lose or damage your retainer—often without needing a new scan.

Fixed (Bonded) Retainers – Thin wires bonded behind your front teeth, offering continuous support (especially helpful if you had complex alignment or adult treatment).

Combined Retention Plans – Some patients benefit from both removable + fixed to ensure maximum stability.

We’ll guide you on the best option based on your treatment history (including Early Orthodontics cases, Surgical Orthodontics referrals, or Bite Correction support) and your lifestyle.

Retainer Care: How to Take Care of Your Retainer

Proper care ensures your retainer remains clean, effective and fits well. At One Orthodontics, we recommend:

• Clean your retainer daily with a soft toothbrush and cool/lukewarm water.
• Use mild soap or recommended cleaner; avoid hot water (which can warp plastic).
• Remove your removable retainer before meals, and store it safely in its case when not in use.
• Avoid exposing it to high heat (e.g., car dashboards, dishwashers) that may distort the device.
• For fixed retainers, floss daily using threaders or specialized tools to keep the area clean and gum-healthy.
• Attend your retention check-ups so we can verify fit, make minor adjustments and confirm there’s no unwanted tooth movement.

By following these practices, you’ll extend the life of your retainer and maintain your new smile with minimal worry.

Retainer Replacement: When & Why

Even the best retainer may need replacement at some point. Here’s what you should watch for and how we handle it:
Signs you may need a replacement:

• Your removable retainer no longer fits precisely or your teeth feel like they are shifting.
• The device shows visible cracking, warping, or damage from heat or mishandling.
• A bonded retainer wire becomes loose, detached or bent.

Why replacement matters:

• A retainer that doesn’t fit properly cannot hold your teeth in place effectively, risking movement or relapse.
• Materials degrade over time; even without visible damage, wear can reduce effectiveness.

How One Orthodontics will help:

• During your retention visits we assess fit, material condition, wear compliance and any signs of shifting.
• If needed, we’ll quickly fabricate a new retainer, provide instructions, review care procedures, and ensure continuity of retention.
• We’ll also go over our replacement policy, pricing (if applicable) and advise you on best practices.

Ready to Protect Your Smile?

Your newly aligned smile deserves long-term care. At One Orthodontics in Fredericksburg, VA, we provide professional retention planning, high-quality retainers and lifetime support. Whether you’ve just completed active treatment or you’re noticing subtle shifts and want reinforcement, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us or book your retention check-up online today. Let’s make sure your smile stays straight—for years to come.