Permanent Retainer: Pros And Cons, Cost, And Removal

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Medical News TodaySubscribePermanent retainer: Pros, cons, and cost

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Anne deLeeuw — Updated on February 11, 2025

What are they?
Why get one?
Pros and cons
Maintenance
Vs. removable retainers
Cost
FAQ
Summary

A permanent retainer is a device that keeps the teeth in the same place after a person has braces. The retainers remain in the mouth long-term and only an orthodontist can remove them.

With regular retainers, people can wear and remove them whenever they choose. Once they no longer have braces, they may wear the retainer 24 hours a day or at night.

Permanent retainers stay in the mouth all the time and can last for up to 20 years.

What are permanent retainers?

A person's mouth with a mirror held up to it, showing a permanent retainer on the upper teeth. — Anna Gawlik/Shutterstock

A permanent or fixed bonded retainer is a device that holds the teeth in their positions. After treatment with braces, orthodontists recommend using retainers to preserve the results and stop the teeth from shifting back into their original positions.

Permanent retainers consist of a metal wire that an orthodontist bonds onto the back of a person’s teeth. The wire usually rests behind four to six teeth at the front of the mouth. This might be on the upper teeth, lower teeth, or both.

However, orthodontists usually place permanent retainers behind the lower teeth, as permanent retainers on the top teeth are more likely to break.

Orthodontists usually install permanent retainers immediately after they remove a person’s braces. A permanent retainer can last up to 20 years, depending on how carefully a person cares for it.

Reasons for getting a permanent retainer

Some orthodontists feel that permanent retainers work better than removable ones. They are the most efficient for avoiding relapse or the teeth moving in the future.

Another advantage of permanent retainers is that they do not require remembering to put them in or take them out. This can be useful for those who forget to use removable retainers. People with memory or movement difficulties may also find a permanent retainer more suitable for their needs.

Advantages and disadvantages of permanent retainers

There are both advantages and disadvantages to having permanent retainers.

The benefits of permanent retainers are that they:

do not require a person to remember to wear them
are not visible on the front sides of the teeth
are durable
do not usually require replacements
require fewer follow-up appointments than removable retainers

The drawbacks of permanent retainers are that they:

can make it more challenging to clean and floss the teeth
may trap in food particles that eventually cause cavities or gum disease
may cause discomfort when a person’s tongue brushes against the wire

Cleaning and maintenance of permanent retainers

Permanent retainers require careful cleaning and maintenance to prevent breakages. Good dental hygiene is also essential to stop food from getting stuck behind the wires.

To care for a permanent retainer, people need to brush around it at least twice a day. The bristles of the toothbrush need to reach into the space between the retainer and the teeth. If this proves difficult with a regular toothbrush, people can get small interdental brushes that can reach into small gaps.

It is also important to floss around the permanent retainer at least once daily. This process may pose some challenges. Some people find that floss threaders or floss picks help. Water flossing may also be an option. A person should ask their orthodontist what they recommend.

To avoid breakages, it may help to avoid very hard or chewy foods.

Permanent vs. removable retainers

Below is a comparison of the features of permanent and removable retainers.

Permanent retainer	Removable retainer
Results	varies depending on the use	varies depending on use
Visibility	essential if the person loses the retainer or it breaks	more visible
Durability	more difficult to break	easier to break
Replacement	only necessary if the retainer bends or breaks	more expensive initially, but may cost less in the long term
Cost	less expensive initially but can require more replacements and follow-up appointments	less expensive initially, but can require more replacements and follow-up appointments

Cost of a permanent retainer

Permanent retainers may cost $150–500 for the initial placement or a replacement if the initial retainer breaks. An orthodontist may include the overall cost of braces. However, permanent retainers do not often need replacing; their longevity means fewer follow-up appointments.

Some orthodontic insurance plans may cover the costs of permanent retainers.

Frequently asked questions

Are permanent retainers safe?

Permanent retainers are generally safe as long as people care for their teeth properly. However, if they fail to clean properly around the retainer, they may be at an increased risk of developing gum disease or cavities.

If the retainer becomes bent or broken, it may also cause discomfort. If this happens, a person should consult an orthodontist immediately.

What happens if the retainer breaks or falls off?

A person will need a replacement if their permanent retainer bends, breaks, or falls off. An orthodontist must insert the new retainer, typically costing $150–500.

Can an orthodontist remove a permanent retainer?

An orthodontist can remove a permanent retainer if someone no longer wants it or finds it uncomfortable.

How long does a person wear a permanent retainer?

Unless a dental professional advises otherwise, a person usually wears a permanent retainer for the rest of their life.

Do permanent retainers work as well as removable retainers?

Many orthodontists believe permanent retainers are more successful at keeping the teeth in place than removable retainers.

Summary

A permanent retainer is a device that keeps the teeth in position after a person ends treatment with braces. Unlike a removable retainer, permanent retainers stay in the mouth long term. They consist of a metal wire that sits behind the teeth, making it almost invisible.

Many orthodontists believe that permanent retainers are more effective than removable retainers. People do not have to remember to wear them, and they are more durable.

However, permanent retainers can make it more difficult to clean the teeth and have a higher initial cost. For this reason, people should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of getting a permanent retainer with their orthodontist.

Dentistry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

How to retain a brand-new smile. (2024).https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/retain-brand-new-smile/
Lyros I, et al. (2023). Orthodontic retainers—A critical review.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9954726/
Permanent retainer: Your guide to cost, problems, and benefits. (2024).https://www.dentaly.org/us/adult-braces/teeth-retainers/permanent-retainer/

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Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — Written by Anne deLeeuw — Updated on February 11, 2025

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