Bonded Lingual Retainers

[jenn773]

Does anyone here have these?

[Zoso]

Getting a bit ahead of yourself, jenn?

I do.

[Stephanie]

a little due dillegence can't hurt anyone right zoso .. hehe

the type of retainer is made on a case by case. some orthodontist will use one type though, so you may want to ask on your consult.

[jenn773]

haha!
Zoso! I can't help it!

and my dentist told me to tell them to give me one of these. ?

[Zoso]

Interesting! dentists are sometimes not great fans of bonded retainers, because they require some extra effort to keep the teeth clean compared to removable retainers. Basically you have to be a little more diligent with brushing, and of course you have to stick with something like self-threading floss.

The other thing you and your dentist would need to do is keep a good eye on it over the years, to make sure it remains bonded properly in place, and doesn't snap. Obviously it does you no good if it comes loose or breaks (and, over time, they eventually will) but also that sets you up with a higher chance of plaque and decay.

They are usually only on the front teeth - maybe as far as the canines, and sometimes (especially if on the uppers) only as far as the laterals. They are usually bonded to all of the teeth that they go across, but sometimes just to the teeth at either end. They can be made out of stainless steel or gold, or sometimes are not made of metal at all.

As Stephanie said, your ortho may have other ideas as to what would be best for you. But there's no harm at all in asking.

[jenn773]

My dentist told me he makes sure every single patient of his that had braces gets bonded retainers..apparently he's adamant on keeping straight teeth "until you're 97 and a half years old" hehe

[mikeg]

I think that is a pretty good policy and may have helped MANY of those who have had braces on more than once....

I wear my retainers religiously and have a panic attack if I lose them .. lol

[coconut]

My dentist told me he makes sure every single patient of his that had braces gets bonded retainers..apparently he's adamant on keeping straight teeth "until you're 97 and a half years old" hehe

And did he say what happens once you've passed that age?

[Zoso]

And did he say what happens once you've passed that age?

Carousel.

(Sorry - extremely geeky reference!)

[k-boogie]

My dentist also told me that when my braces come off to make sure I get the bonded retainer. Interesting!

[MsMichelle]

My ortho already told me that I was getting one when my braces came off. When we did our first session and she put on the spacers it was part of the treatment program she discussed with me.

[mikeg]

again I think this is good... I haven't had them, but I would imagine that flossing would be the only issue....

I think if i would of had them, that I wouldn't have had braces on twice!