At the end of orthodontic treatment, it’s time to wear a retainer! Here’s what you need to know about one of the most common types of retainers—the bonded retainer.
Are Bonded Retainers Permanent?
The short answer to the second question is “no.”
When your braces are removed or you wear clear aligners for the last time, you’re now entering the retention stage! The purpose of this critical stage is to support your teeth as they settle into place and remain in their beautiful new alignment. A retainer (quite literally) retains your new smile and prevents it from reverting to its original position.
There are two categories of orthodontic retainers—removable retainers and bonded retainers. The bonded retainer includes a thin metal wire bonded to the back surface of your bottom or top teeth. It can be removed in the future if necessary!
However, removable retainers and bonded retainers do not share the same level of effectiveness in retaining all your teeth. Read below.
Advantages of Wearing a Bonded Retainer
There are many differences between a bonded retainer vs. removable retainers.
- Because a bonded retainer is bonded in place, you don’t have to remember to place it back in your mouth or bring your carrying case with you.
- It’s not uncommon for patients to misplace their removable retainers. Imagine visiting your favorite restaurant, placing your retainer in a napkin, and having the napkin accidentally tossed into the trash by the wait staff. Unfortunately, it’s a scenario that happens quite often.
- A bonded retainer is placed behind your teeth; therefore, it is not visible.
Disadvantages of Wearing a Bonded Retainer
While there are some advantages to wearing a bonded retainer, we feel like there are more disadvantages.
- Cleaning a bonded retainer requires diligence, using a floss threader daily to clean behind the retainer and between each tooth. Avoid hard foods to prevent damage.
- Bonded retainers can break unnoticed, only holding the front six teeth, leaving back teeth unprotected and risking bite relapse.
- Suitable only for those with impeccable oral hygiene, bonded retainers may not be ideal for deep bites or fit well due to space constraints.
- Initially, bonded retainers feel different but become unnoticeable within a week or so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few other common questions we receive about wearing bonded retainers.
Q: If I choose a bonded retainer, how long do I have to wear it?
A: Wearing any retainer is a long-term commitment. With a bonded retainer, be sure to check it frequently to make sure it’s still intact. If it breaks, call our office as soon as possible and schedule an appointment to have it rebonded. Don’t wait days or weeks to schedule the visit. There is usually a charge to repair a bonded retainer.
Q: My bonded retainer broke. What should I do?
A: If your bonded retainer breaks, schedule a visit with us soon as possible or give us a call. Don’t wait days or weeks to schedule the visit. We want to prevent your teeth from shifting back to their original position!
Still Wondering if a Bonded Retainer is the Better Choice?
To truly retain the position of all your teeth and your bite following orthodontic treatment a retainer is required. Spillers Orthodontics recommends removable, clear retainers, also known as Essix retainers. The Essix retainer fits snugly around every tooth (not just the front six) and provide comprehensive retention for all teeth. They provide the best protection against relapse. The Invisalign® brand of removable retainers, Vivera, is another solid choice.
For patients who choose bonded retainers, we recommend they also wear removable retainers at night to maintain the position of all their teeth, not just the lower front six.
If you have more questions, please contact us! We’re here for you. If you’re ready to start your treatment with one of our friendly, incredibly experienced orthodontists in Warner Robins and Macon, we encourage you to request a free consultation today.
