Are Permanent Retainers Bad For You: A Detailed Guide by Our Dentists in Ontario
If you forget to wear a retainer, the orthodontist may suggest that you wear a permanent one.
Many believe that a permanent or bonded retainer is better than a plastic retainer, which is more prone to breakage and a bit of a hassle.
Regardless of the type, the role of a permanent retainer is to retain the teeth's position, especially after orthodontic treatment.
To help you decide if you should get one or not, here is our guide on the purpose, benefits, how much a permanent retainer is, and much more.
So, let's dig in!
Learn more: 3 Different Types of Retainers After Braces
What is a Permanent Retainer?
After receiving orthodontic treatment, you will eventually get the smile you always wanted.
However, you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in that place over time. That's when a permanent retainer comes into the picture as an option to preserve your fresh new smile.
It has two other common names, such as bonded or fixed retainers.
Composite resin bonds a thin wire or metal bar to the back of teeth as part of this retention device.
Although its name is permanent, it doesn't stay forever in your mouth. That said, there is no set amount of time it must be worn.
While some patients only have their device for a few years, others wear it for up to 20 years.
Therefore, the specific needs of every suitable candidate decide the timeline for this procedure.
The reason to call them fixed or permanent is that the patient cannot remove the retainer.
The quality of the retainer itself and the patient's oral hygiene practices are two of the main variables that affect how long the retainer lasts.
It concentrates on the regions of teeth that are most likely to alter after braces are removed.
It may be necessary to prevent teeth that previously had wide gaps or extreme crowding from moving in the future.
Permanent Retainer Vs. Removable Retainer
To draw a comparison between the two, it is important to know what a removable retainer is.
Removable Retainers
Removable retainers can feel like a good change because they allow people to eat the items they had to avoid while wearing braces.
Because there is no need to insert dental picks or thread floss under or between any wires or brackets, they can also make cleaning teeth easier.
As they have a variety of colors and styles to pick from, they are a popular option for many youngsters.
The majority of a removable retainer's drawbacks likewise revolve around its detachability.
Removing it while eating or going out makes it convenient, but it also increases the risk of losing it and replacing retainers can be expensive.
Because it is removable, it may also be overlooked or forgotten, allowing the teeth to move more easily.
It's crucial to wear a removable retainer for the entire time, your orthodontist advises. Initially, this will typically be continuous, except for eating and tooth brushing, but it may eventually be limited to just at night while you sleep.
As you know both types, let's look at the differences:
Consistency: it is easier to maintain consistency with fixed retainers.
Longevity: Permanent retainers may last longer than their counterpart.
Maintenance: Fixed retainers are tough to clean, unlike the removable ones.
Appearance: Bonded retainers sit behind your teeth, so they are nearly invisible. With the removable ones, you can choose whether you want a clear plastic or one in color.
Avoiding Certain Food Items: Consuming certain meals may alter the effectiveness of fixed retainers. For example, the wire can become bent while biting into tough meals, such as a rough steak or an entire apple. Foods that include a lot of artificial sugars or comparable chemicals, like soda, may also erode the bonding substance, making it harder for the retainer to adhere to teeth. With removable retainers, you can eat everything you want after taking them off.
Read More: 6 Foods That Can Lead To Dental Problems
How Much Does a Permanent Retainer Cost in Canada?
The cost of a permanent retainer in Canada can range from $150 to $500. However, the price depends on several variables, such as the region where you live, the expertise of the professional, the location of the dental clinic, whether you have insurance, etc.
Are Permanent Retainers Bad For You?
Permanent retainers are generally effective and safe to help keep your teeth in place. However, they can create problems if you don’t care for them properly. We will discuss their maintenance tips below.
However, to, help you find an answer for yourself, here are the advantages and disadvantages of fixed retainers:
Benefits
Efficacy: After treatment, retainers lower the risk of relapse by keeping teeth in place.
Discreet: Fixed retainers are hidden when you smile since they are affixed to the back of your teeth.
Convenient: Since your retainer is affixed to your teeth, you won't have to remember to wear it every night or pack it when you travel from one place to another.
Long-Term Treatment: With the right maintenance, your permanent retainers can keep your teeth straight for years or even decades.
Disadvantages
Complex Procedure: Attaching a permanent retainer can be prolonged and painful. Bonding a retainer to your teeth may take up to an hour. For a removable retainer, all you need to do is take a brief impression so your orthodontist can create one that suits your mouth.
High Maintenance: Brushing and flossing around a permanent retainer takes more work. If you don't take the time to clean the area surrounding your permanent retainer, you may be more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.
Discomfort: It can be uncomfortable to have a metal object in your mouth constantly. You can touch the wire with your tongue, and if the bond breaks or the wire comes loose, your tongue could become irritated or scraped.
Costly: If the wire breaks off or debonds, repair or replacement may be necessary. You may need to pay a high replacement charge to create a new one.
Maintaining Fixed Retainers: Effective Tips
Here are some tips to maintain the cleanliness and health of your permanent retainer:
Brush Your Teeth Every Day: Use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.
Floss: Thread the floss between the gap between your teeth and the wire using a floss threader.
Frequent Dental Visits: To discuss any concerns regarding your permanent retainer, schedule routine examinations.
Electric Toothbrush: Switch to an electric toothbrush, which is easier to use around the retainer and may clean bacteria and plaque more efficiently.
Water Flosser: To get rid of plaque and dirt from your back teeth, consider using a water flosser.
How to Floss with a Permanent Retainer?
This is one of the most common queries related to a fixed retainer.
So, here are some cleaning techniques for flossing with a permanent retainer:
Take a floss and a floss threader. Slide one end of the floss between your fingers and the other into the threader to use it between two of your front bottom teeth.
Gently lift and lower the floss down the sides of the teeth from the tops to the point where the gums touch the teeth when it is between the teeth.
Once you have completed one set of teeth, slide the floss over to the next set of teeth by moving it back up to the top of the teeth.
To clean between the next set of teeth, pull the floss down between them and repeat the step.
Continue doing this until you have flossed between every tooth your permanent retainer has fixed.
Remember to avoid using too much force, as this may cause cuts or injuries to your gums.
Reasons For Permanent Retainer Removal
Here are the primary reasons for permanent retainer removal:
1.If The Retainer Breaks
Like any other dental device, a permanent retainer is susceptible to damage. Wires may break, or teeth may come loose from the device due to wear and tear, bites into hard meals, or oral injuries.
Until one or more teeth shift out of place, you may not notice that the retainer has come loose.
Routine examinations are essential to make sure the retainer is in good shape. If not, your orthodontist or dentist might suggest removing the permanent retainer and putting in a new one.
2.Tartar Take Over the Retainer
Calculus, also known as tartar or dental plague, can accumulate around the retainer wires, cemented to the back of your teeth.
Your teeth and gums may sustain damage from plaque, germs, and tartar accumulation. Wearing a permanent retainer will require you to keep preventive care appointments and practice good oral hygiene to avoid this issue.
3.Completing Your Treatment
If you have worn a permanent retainer for a long time, your dentist may suggest removing it and wearing a detachable one at night instead. In such cases, your teeth are less likely to shift.
4.Consistent Discomfort
The goal of your retainer is to prevent your teeth from moving or shifting back into their original locations.
You shouldn't have a lot of uncomfortable residual movement if your orthodontic treatment is successful.
If you experience pain, the dentist may remove the permanent retainer.
FAQs
Does wearing a permanent retainer cause discomfort?
Although it could initially seem strange, most individuals soon adjust to it and become unaware of it when going about their regular lives.
My permanent retainer broke; what should I do?
To prevent tooth shifting, contact your orthodontist immediately if your permanent retainer breaks.
My permanent retainer glue came off; what should be the next step?
If the glue on one of your permanent retainers has fallen off, you should contact your orthodontist immediately. Repairing a loose retainer as soon as possible will help maintain the stability of your alignment.
Contact KWC Dental To Get the Best Retainer
This was our complete guide on a permanent retainer.
To make it last for a long time, try to stay away from sticky or hard foods, as they may cause the retainer to become even more loose.
Adhere to the orthodontist's advice regarding retainer maintenance to guarantee that it lasts.
Lastly, schedule a cleaning with the dentists in Kitchener every six months. They can thoroughly clean the retainer and identify any developing gum or decay issues.
If you want to know the best retainer options, you can call us to make an informed decision.