Permanent Bonded Retainers After Braces

If you are getting your dental braces off soon, than the next phase are retainers.   There are several options post braces to help hold your bite and teeth in place as they were in the last phase of your braces treatment.

Most often removable retainers are given to patients to wear 24 hours, 7 days a week when they first get the braces off.  There is a crucial period of about 3 months where you will be asked to wear them all day and night.   Once the orthodontist decides, you may begin to wear them just at night, but it is noted that this will go on for several years.  Down the road you may then wear your retainers a few nights a week, however most people that have spent all the time and money on their teeth, will have no problem wearing the removable Hawley retainers or Invsialign type retainers each night for as long as they last.

Permanent retainers are mostly used on the bottom teeth.  The retainer is affixed to the teeth and acts to hold them in place.  This is usually used when crowding, spaces, and crooked teeth were a severe case and the orthodontist does not want to risk a relapse.

In many cases, the client reports that permanent retainers are not as convenient as they sound.  Because they are in there all the type, flossing with them can be a pain and hygiene issues can arise.

This is why Hawley or Essix retainers are preferred as you can fully take them out when eating and brushing or flossing.  This allows for you to keep on top of your hygiene routine without getting exhausted or overexerting your self.

Some orthodontist say that there is a higher rate of the lower teeth shifted in adults if they do not have the bonded retainer.  Relying on the patients to wear the Hawley retainers sometimes is just not a risk the doctor is willing to take.

Bottom line is if you are getting your braces off retainer treatment is just as important as the braces.  If you do not wear your retainers, they will shift and we don’t think orthodontist drill their patients on the need for retainers quite enough and this is why you hear about people having braces for a second and even third time.