Cleaning with a retainer Take time to brush your teeth gently every morning and before going to bed at night. You should spend at least three minutes on the process, making sure to clean around the permanent retainer to eliminate food remnants that may be trapped between the brackets.
Maintenance. Because permanent retainers stay put in your mouth, they don't require as much maintenance as removable retainers do. You have to take out a removable retainer, brush and clean it each day. You have to also make sure to store your removable retainer in the same place (its case) to avoid losing it.
A bonded retainer on your upper teeth may last up to three years, while a lower bonded retainer will last longer, as this part of the mouth does not see as much activity. Even if it has been a short time since the retainers were fixed, the wire can become unbonded to the teeth without you realising it.
Once they no longer have braces, they may wear the retainer 24 hours a day or just at night. Permanent retainers stay in the mouth all the time and can last for up to 20 years. This article discusses permanent retainers, including the advantages and disadvantages, costs, and removal procedure.
Bonded retainers, which are bonded to the back of your teeth, can last three years or more. Conversely, removable alternatives have a shorter lifespan and typically last anywhere from six months to a few years.
Most breaks happen within the first six months of having your permanent retainer. Biting into hard foods is the number one cause of broken permanent retainers. They may also wear down over time if they stay in place long-term, requiring replacement later in life.
The bonded retainer may become loose from time to time as the "glue" it is stuck on with can wear away. You usually become aware that the wire is loose, because the wire will begin to feel rough against your tongue.
You'll have to wear your retainer for at least 10 years after you get your braces off or finish your aligner treatment. Many people wear their retainers for the rest of their lives. During the first three months after braces or aligners, you should wear your retainers most of the time.
Bonded retainers
The glue that bonds the wire can wear out with the everyday activity your mouth experiences—eating, talking, brushing and flossing. A bonded retainer on your upper teeth may last up to three years, while a lower bonded retainer will last longer, as this part of the mouth doesn't see as much activity.
The cost of fixing a broken retainer also depends on if the existing retainer wire can be reused or if a new retainer needs to be made from scratch. Every office is a bit different and pricing can range from $250 to $800.
The most obvious benefit to fixed retainers is that they stay in your mouth 24/7, which means you can't lose them during lunch! It also means they're continuously keeping your teeth in perfect position. Because they are so small, they tend to be much more comfortable than removable retainers.
Since the reatiners are bonded, or glued, to your teeth exactly like braces it is imperative that you do not bite into anything hard or you will dislodge your retainer (ie. apples, pears, candy bars, frozen foods etc...). All hard foods need to be cut and placed in the back of the mouth.
What can I eat with my bonded (or permanent) retainers? You can eat anything that you want, but should avoid hard or sticky foods that apply heavy pressure in the location of the bonded retainers. Do not chew sticky or hard foods that apply direct pressure on the retainer. If this happens, it will and can break.
Permanent retainers aren't truly permanent. They're only called “permanent” because they can't be removed easily, unlike removable retainers. Permanent retainers do eventually wear out, but they've been known to last for upwards of 20 years. When they wear out, they can be removed and replaced.
Will my Teeth shift if my Permanent Retainer is Broken? Teeth will tend to shift if they aren't held in place. If a broken permanent retainer is not repaired after a few weeks – or several months – it is likely that you will see some shifting of your teeth.
Because teeth begin to shift naturally as we age, a permanent retainer typically offers better long-term results for teeth straightening than a removable one. You can't forget to put it in — it's already there!
Precautions to take with retainers
You can not eat sticky or chewy food like gum or candies with the retainer. You should not eat food with artificial coloring as it will stain your teeth and retainer. Brushing and flossing your teeth before and after wearing your retainers is vital.
Biting into foods like apples can break or damage the bonded retainer. Some people do not notice that the bonded retainer is broken until the teeth have started shifting.
You might wonder “Do I need a removable retainer if I have a permanent retainer?”. Even when using fixed retainers you still need a removable retainer if you had an orthodontic treatment that changed your arch shape.
If not repaired or replaced quickly the teeth will shift and move. Fixed retainers are made out of various metal alloys. Like all metal that are subject to stress they can stretch over time. If the retainer stretches some spaces and small movement can occur.
Braces, retainers or dental fillings
Most metal tooth fillings or other permanent dental implants won't cause a problem. If you have detachable metal braces or a retainer, you should take them out before you get an MRI.
There are a few disadvantages of permanent retainers such as they can make it difficult to properly clean teeth, the wire can trap food, bacteria, and other debris, increasing the risk of dental problems, especially if you don't brush and floss regularly, they can become damaged or wear down over time, so you may have ...
Hi there,To answer your question, of course you can get contouring and bonding with a permanent retainer, as long as the permanent retainer is not obstructing the exact area that you want contoured or bonded.