A discreet fixed wire that holds your front teeth in position at Highfield Dental Clinic, Edgbaston.
A fixed retainer works around the clock without depending on you remembering to wear it, which makes it a reliable long-term option.
A bonded retainer, also called a fixed or permanent retainer, is a thin wire attached to the back surfaces of the front teeth with composite. It is invisible from the front and stays in place permanently rather than being taken in and out.
It is most commonly fitted behind the lower front teeth, which are particularly prone to crowding again, and sometimes behind the upper front teeth. Many patients have a bonded retainer and also wear a removable retainer at night for additional security.
Want reliable retention without remembering a retainer each night in Birmingham? Our experienced team will explain whether a bonded retainer suits you.
Fitting is quick and comfortable, needing no anaesthetic. It usually involves:
Your clinician will show you how to clean around it before you leave and will check it at every routine visit.
Plaque and tartar build up readily around a bonded retainer, so cleaning matters. Use floss threaders or superfloss to clean beneath the wire daily, along with interdental brushes where they fit, and keep up with regular hygiene appointments.
Bonded retainers can come loose at one or more points, sometimes without you noticing. If a section debonds and is not repaired, the teeth can move while the wire is still partly attached. Check occasionally with your tongue that it feels intact, and contact us promptly if anything feels loose, sharp or different.
It is designed for long-term use, but it is not guaranteed to last forever. Wires can debond or fracture and will need occasional repair or replacement.
Yes, you will notice it initially, but most patients stop being aware of it within a week or two.
It does require more effort. Floss threaders or superfloss are needed to clean beneath the wire, and regular hygiene appointments become more important.
Contact us promptly. A partly loose wire can allow unwanted tooth movement and may irritate your tongue or gum.
Often yes. Many patients wear a removable retainer at night as well, particularly on the upper teeth, for extra security.
Yes, it can be taken off and the teeth polished if you wish, but your teeth will then rely entirely on removable retention.
