Permanent retainers?

[Nadal]

My son has just got the nod to get his brace removed.
He has come back with a letter that he will get removable retainers made by a mould but there is also an option for a permanent retainer. This is a wire set behind the front 6 teeth. £225. The letter doesn't give much information unfortunately and I wasn't there to grill with questions.

What are your experiences on retainers? Is a permanent one worth it? Do you still have to wear the removable one? Are they really for life??

Thanks

Ds has both. The wire is a bit annoying to clean around.

Worth every penny, otherwise they just move back eventually

Years ago now but my “permanent retainer” fell out twice! Second time couldn’t find it anywhere so had to go for an X-ray to check I hadn’t swallowed it without realising. I then got a plastic one that sits on the teeth just at night. To be honest, I never used it and my teeth have never moved. My sister has just had a brace as an adult and has opted for a plastic nighttime only one. She doesn’t find it a pain to pop it in at bedtime. I agree with pp cleaning round a permanent retainer would need to be thorough.

After having my teeth straightened for the second time I had fixed retainers fitted. This was 16 years ago. They certainly work to keep the teeth in place but you can feel the wire and it’s a bit annoying. I also have to see a hygienist every three months to ensure it’s clean.

Overall, for me it’s preferable to crooked teeth but it’s not great either.

I've just finished straightening my teeth. My ortho has recommended a fixed and a removable retainer (bolts and braces). I don't want to risk them moving.

They have also recommended a water pik or interdental brushes for cleaning around the retainer.

Thanks. I guess it must feel weird on your tongue.

Do you just have to wear the removable ones at night or daytime too?

I didn't have retainers after my initial braces as a teen and the teeth moved back as soon as my wisdom teeth came in. Had them re-straightened in my late 40s and have a removable retainer which I wear every night without fail. It is not necessary to wear it during the day. It's fine to wear, not intrusive and I actually like having it as I grind my teeth a bit and it protects them. A retainer is absolutely necessary. The removable ones get a bit gunky after a while even with proper cleaning and need replaced every couple of years minimum. My dentist says the permanent ones are guaranteed for life by him but I don't want something that prevents me flossing properly.

I have a permanent one and tbh wish I hadn’t bothered. Feels awful in my mouth and I feel like I can never get it properly clean. Considering having it out.

I hadva brace as a teenager. Had the plastic night time retainer but removed it every night in my sleep. Completely unaware I was doing it. However, considering I was only 15 when the brace came off my teeth haven't moved much. Front top are slightly crossed but that's it. I cannot imagine having a permanent one behind my teeth. Would be a nightmare to clean. Id be concerned about the dirty building up and damaging my teeth

My ortho won't do the permanent ones. They cause major tartar issues for adults especially.

I have this, my teeth would move without. You do need to pair them with the night time retainers too, I find my bite slips out of line a bit without the occasional use of the night time retainers (you're meant to wear night time ones nightly for the first year or two then you can cut down). so make sure to use both. They are a bit of a pain to clean, you need in between teeth brush things and I also use an interspace brush (google it) long handled tufted thing as this is good for getting out bits of food although go easy on the gums with it, don't brush too hard on them. It's a bit annoying at first but you get used to it.

Make sure to go regularly to the hygenist when you have this, there will always be bits you miss even if you're super thorough. I go twice a year.

I have had one for over 20 years. My orthodontist recommended it because my teeth were so wonky he expected they would move back otherwise. I keep it clean with dental brushes and go to the hygienist every 6 months for a clean. I don’t really think about it now, it’s just there! Teeth haven’t moved so I guess it works.

From what I've read, if it's done as a child you can have the permanent one removed after 10 years. As an adult it's in for life.

we were recommended to get the permanent wire retainer plus a mouthguard type retainer to be worn at night.

the permanent one will last about 10 years I was told. after that a night retainer might be enough.

Have a permanent retainer and a night one

i have had (so far touch wood) no problems with it and forget its there 90% of the time

He decided that he doesn't want something in his mouth forever so just going with the removables. He's a sensible kid so hoping he will stick to the rules!

Dd has had a removable retainer for a couple of years. She has been able to cut down the number of nights she wears it but can't drop any lower than twice a week.

Interesting. Does she notice the difference or orthodontist advice?

She was told by the orthodontist that she could cut it down but to no less than twice a week. I think at first she had to wear them all the time except for eating, then just night time and then she could miss out odd days. It's taken a couple of years to get to this stage of twice a week at night.