- The overall cost of permanent retainers<\/li>
- How permanent retainers work<\/li>
- Pros and cons of permanent retainers<\/li>
- What happens if they break<\/li> <\/ul>
We hope this helps you decide if this is your best option after orthodontics<\/a> treatment!<\/p>
Did you know?<\/strong> You can order custom retainers online<\/strong> for way less than you can get at the dentist!<\/strong> Have a look at our top picks<\/strong> below:<\/p>
- 👉 Best for straightening + retention:<\/strong> NewSmile<\/a> \u2013 aligners + retainers included<\/li>
- 👉 Best budget aligner:<\/strong> ALIGNERCO<\/a> \u2013 one of the most affordable options<\/li>
- 👉 Best retainer after aligners:<\/strong> SportingSmiles Retainers<\/a> \u2013 custom-made, durable, and easy to reorder<\/li> <\/ul>
What is a permanent retainer?<\/h2>
A permanent retainer<\/strong> is a metal wire that is positioned behind your teeth to keep them from shifting back to the position they were in before braces. They are permanent because they are bonded with dental cement to your teeth, normally just the front four to six teeth.<\/p>
There are also permanent retainers made of composite resin instead of metal wires, although typically less frequently used because metal is more durable. Also, metal-wired retainers are bonded using composite resin (the same material used to adhere traditional brackets to the teeth).<\/p>
Usually, your orthodontist will recommend a wire retainer behind your teeth immediately or six months after removing your braces to ensure that your teeth stay aligned<\/a>. Some people get permanent retainers fixed to both their upper and lower teeth.<\/p>
However, dentists are less likely to recommend a permanent retainer for top teeth than permanent bottom retainers because they have a greater chance of breaking prematurely.<\/p>
Permanent retainers usually involve placement from canine to canine and therefore are stabilizing the anterior (or front) segment of your teeth. It is still possible for teeth in the posterior or back segments not bonded, to move.<\/p>
Removable retainers<\/strong> can be removed and replaced easily. There are two types<\/a>:<\/p>
![\"removable](\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/04\/customised-hawley-retainer.jpg\")
Removables are easier to lose<\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div> - Wire retainers <\/a><\/li>
- Clear retainers<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
There are two types of permanent retainers:<\/p>
- Stainless steel wire (flexible stranded, cylindrical, or flattened)<\/li>
- Fiberglass-reinforced composite resin<\/li> <\/ul>
Retainers are very important after the removal of your braces. To avoid the painful and forceful shifting of braces yet again, a permanent retainer gives you a permanent way to keep your teeth in place.<\/p>
Not wearing retainers after braces can harm your smile and ultimately lead to your orthodontist suggesting braces a second time around.<\/p>
Permanent retainer pros and cons<\/h2>
Here\u2019s what you need to know about the pros and cons of wearing a permanent retainer.<\/p>
![\"permanent](\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2019\/04\/fixed-retainer.jpg\")
Should you get a permanent retainer?<\/figcaption> <\/figure> <\/div> Pros of a permanent retainer<\/h3>
The most beneficial thing about bonded retainers<\/a> is that forgetting to put them in is impossible. Once it is in place, you can forget it exists and never have to worry about the caretaking that comes with removable retainers.<\/p>
This also allows you to avoid all the pain of putting in a removable retainer that has spent too long out of your mouth and on your shelf. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the other pros:<\/p>
- Visibility:<\/strong>\u00a0Another benefit to these lingual bar retainers is that they are bonded to the back of your teeth and invisible to everyone else. This differentiates them from some removable retainers, which show a wire across the front of your teeth.<\/li>
- Affordability:<\/strong>\u00a0Over time, the cost of a permanent retainer vs. a removable retainer will likely work out to be less as there is no opportunity for it to be lost, and it is much less likely to be broken.<\/li>
- Lose-ability:<\/strong>\u00a0A permanent retainer is a \u201cset it and forget it\u201d method of orthodontic treatment that is easy to use and nearly\u00a0impossible to lose<\/a>. If this has happened to you, read about\u00a0not wearing a retainer for a month<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
Cons of a permanent retainer<\/h3>
While bonded retainers are a good option for teeth retainers because they have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages. A permanent retainer can make cleaning your teeth difficult, as the wire on a bonded retainer can trap bacteria and food and increase your chance of cavities since flossing becomes more difficult.<\/p>
When it comes to flossing with orthodontics, you may want to consider purchasing a water flosser for easier cleaning. Read all about water flossers in our best water flosser<\/a> guide.<\/p>
Is getting a permanent retainer painful?<\/h2>
Getting a permanent retainer is not painful but can be uncomfortable or annoying as your tongue constantly touches them. But that goes away pretty quickly after getting it in.<\/p>
Like any other dental device, a built-in retainer can degrade over time. You may have to replace your retainer at some point, and it is much more difficult to replace a permanent retainer than a removable retainer since it requires you to be with your orthodontist to make the fix physically.<\/p>
Another permanent retainer problem is that bonded retainers have the potential to increase plaque buildup and trap bacteria and be more troublesome to replace or fix if the retainer breaks.<\/p>
In the following video, one orthodontist explains why he doesn\u2019t like permanent retainers as much as Hawley or Essix.<\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t - Affordability:<\/strong>\u00a0Over time, the cost of a permanent retainer vs. a removable retainer will likely work out to be less as there is no opportunity for it to be lost, and it is much less likely to be broken.<\/li>
- Visibility:<\/strong>\u00a0Another benefit to these lingual bar retainers is that they are bonded to the back of your teeth and invisible to everyone else. This differentiates them from some removable retainers, which show a wire across the front of your teeth.<\/li>
- Clear retainers<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- 👉 Best budget aligner:<\/strong> ALIGNERCO<\/a> \u2013 one of the most affordable options<\/li>
- 👉 Best for straightening + retention:<\/strong> NewSmile<\/a> \u2013 aligners + retainers included<\/li>