Permanent retainers

You’ve been patiently awaiting the day you get your braces off. While getting your braces off is certainly exciting, it’s important to remember that a retainer is necessary in order to keep your new smile in place.

Learn more about permanent retainers, permanent retainer costs, and how Hess Orthodontics will help you ensure a beautiful smile for life. Schedule a complimentary consultation today!

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Benefits of permanent retainers

Retainers are a necessary component of everyone’s orthodontic treatment. Because of natural age-related changes in the position of teeth, your teeth have a tendency to shift out of position over time. A retainer does the crucial job of keeping your teeth in the desired alignment.

A permanent retainer, which is also known as a fixed retainer or bonded retainer, is a wire component that is attached behind the lower front teeth. These types of retainers are usually used in conjunction with a removable retainer to keep both the upper and lower teeth in place.

As with all orthodontic treatments, every patient’s needs are different. While we usually recommend removable retainers, there are some situations where a patient would benefit from a permanent retainer.

Here are some benefits of bonded retainers:

Works around the clock to safeguard your smile results.
Decreased risk of smile relapse.
Invisible and comfortable to wear.

Find out whether a permanent retainer is right for you by scheduling a complimentary consultation with us today!

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What should you do if your bonded retainer breaks?

While bonded retainers are very durable, they can still be damaged. Making some simple changes to your diet and avoiding sticky or hard foods will keep your permanent retainer in top shape. Your orthodontist will give you a comprehensive list of foods to avoid with a wire retainer.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, retainers break or get damaged. When a bonded retainer is broken, your risk of smile relapse increases. If your permanent retainer is damaged, contact us immediately so we can repair it as soon as possible.

If your permanent retainer breaks, do not fiddle with it or attempt to fix it on your own. Doing so increases the risk of further damage to your teeth, gums, and retainer. Until your repair appointment, try to make sure that it lays along the back of your bottom teeth.

How do I care for my permanent retainer?

Since they are bonded to the back of your teeth, permanent retainers are invisible. However, their placement requires careful cleaning and care to prevent dental issues. Regular dental cleanings and consistent home care are required to prevent the accumulation of excess tartar around permanent retainers.

Incorporating some simple steps into your daily routine will ensure that your smile stays healthy for life. Here are some care tips for your permanent retainer.

During your normal brushing routine, gently brush around and between the wire and the bottom teeth. Make sure that you also brush carefully around the areas where the wire is bonded to your teeth.
Flossing is a little bit harder with a bonded retainer. We recommend using a floss threader to help you get into all those nooks and crannies. It’s not a necessary tool to floss your permanent retainer, but it can make the task easier.
Take a 6-inch piece of floss and thread it through the floss threader. Thread the floss beneath the wire and gently move it up and down to get rid of any debris that has been trapped in your teeth. Then give your mouth a rinse, and you’re finished!
Bonded retainers are quite resistant to damage, but they can still break from eating hard or sticky foods. Avoiding these foods prevents breakage before it happens.

Learn more about permanent retainer care.

Cleaning and caring for retainers

Permanent retainer cost

Smile retention is an essential part of safeguarding your aligned smile, which is why permanent retainer costs are included in the cost of your treatment. Usually, if your permanent retainer is damaged, patients have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace it.

For only $800, patients can enroll in our Lifetime Retainer program and receive free retainers for life. Even if you move away, you will still be able to take advantage of your Lifetime Retainer benefits. Please note: the patient will still be responsible for a nominal co-pay for each new retainer.

If you have questions about permanent retainer cost, the Hess Orthodontics team will be happy to help. Contact us to learn more!

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Smile retention with Hess Orthodontics

Whether you had Invisalign®, Damon Braces, Damon Clear braces, or clear aligners, smile retention is crucial to ensure long-lasting smile results. When your braces get removed, you will be given a retainer to fit your specific needs. We will recommend a permanent retainer for patients who need a little extra help to prevent a smile relapse. With careful cleaning and care, a permanent retainer is a great method to keep your smile beautiful for life.

The orthodontic experts at Hess Orthodontics can’t wait to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Schedule a complimentary consultation and start your smile journey with us today!

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