When orthodontic treatment ends, most people want to get back to normal as soon as possible. We get it — the prospect of wearing aftercare retainers isn’t necessarily thrilling. But your orthodontist isn’t just raining on your parade for no reason; retention is the crucial last step in the teeth alignment process.
Retainers help keep your new smile in place. Without retainers, teeth can gradually shift back into their previous positions, undoing the investments of time and money you made in your smile. Permanent and removable retainers are both excellent options but it can be difficult to determine which is right for you. That’s why we’re here. We’ll cut through the noise and help you decide which one best suits your needs.
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons of Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers, also known as lingual or bonded retainers, can last the rest of your life with proper care.
These retainers feature a small wire that covers 4–6 teeth, bonded on the lingual (tongue) side of your teeth. Permanent retainers have a very low profile; tucked away behind your teeth, no one will know you’re wearing it unless you tell them. Thanks to their small size, permanent retainers won’t affect your speech as much as removable ones.
If you’re finishing up braces treatment, it’s possible that a permanent retainer is already included in the price. Otherwise, a permanent retainer can cost $150–$500 per arch.
Permanent retainers are primarily used on the lower arch. Lower teeth can bump up against one placed on the upper arch, decreasing its longevity and effectiveness. In certain cases, a dentist might place a permanent retainer on top, but it’s not as common.
We’ve heard permanent retainers described as the “set it and forget it” option. Once your retainer is attached and you get comfortable keeping it clean, you really can just forget it.
Advantages
- Durable: It varies from person to person, but permanent retainers can last over 20 years with proper care.
- Convenient: Permanent retainers don’t leave much room for user error. Since the retainer is always in place, you won’t have to worry about removing, replacing, or losing it.
- Discreet: Since a permanent retainer is just a small wire placed behind the teeth, it stays completely out of sight.
- Cost Effective: Though there’s a slightly steeper initial investment than some removable options, the durability of permanent retainers make them the most cost-effective option in the long term.
Drawbacks
- Limited Use: Doctors usually only recommend them for the lower arch. An upper permanent retainer can cause problems, since your lower teeth can agitate it over time.
- Oral Hygiene Challenges: Permanent retainers create nooks and crannies for plaque and bacteria to hide. In order to prevent cavities and other oral hygiene issues, you’ll need to stay vigilant with your brushing and flossing habits.
- In-Person Appointment: A permanent retainer takes about an hour to attach. It’s not a painful process, just time consuming and a little uncomfortable.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Permanent Retainer?
Permanent retainers can be a great fit for someone who wants a low-maintenance aftercare. These retainers require fewer appointments, are extremely durable, and stay hidden. Though the original investment might be higher than removable options, permanent retainers are far more cost-effective overall, since they can last upwards of 20 years.
Not everyone is a good fit for permanent retainers on both arches, so it’s likely that if you have a permanent retainer on one arch, you’ll still need to wear a removable one on the other.
Permanent retainers are a great way to discreetly protect your smile in the long term without worrying about a wear schedule.
Pros and Cons of Removable Retainers
There are two different types of removable retainers: Hawley and plastic.
When you picture a retainer, a Hawley is what probably comes to mind. Hawley retainers consist of wire and an acrylic plate. The wire sits on the front surfaces of your teeth and wraps behind in a few key places to meet the acrylic plate. This plate rests on either the roof of your mouth or your lower arch. Hawley retainers are the most noticeable type, both visually and in the way they can affect your speech as you acclimate to wearing them.
Plastic retainers are clear trays, similar in appearance to clear aligners like Invisalign or SmileDirectClub. They’re practically invisible, so they’re much less noticeable than Hawley retainers.
The lifespan of removable retainers varies significantly, but on average, a Hawley retainer will last 5–10 years, and a plastic one will last from six months to over two years.
There are two main ways to purchase removable retainers: through your dentist or orthodontist, or through an online retailer.
Getting a removable retainer through your dentist or orthodontist usually takes two appointments. During the first one, your doctor will take impressions and/or scans of your teeth. This is what they’ll send to the dental manufacturer who makes your retainer. Once your retainer is ready, you’ll have another in-person appointment to make sure it fits correctly.
Online retainers don’t require any in-person appointments — you’ll complete your impressions at home and mail them back. Cutting out expensive office visits allows online retainer retailers to offer lower prices.
Advantages
- Convenient: You can purchase removable retainers from online retailers, eliminating inconvenient office visits.
- Affordable: Removable retainers — particularly those from online retailers — can have lower prices than permanent options.
- Easy Maintenance: Removable retainers don’t change your oral hygiene routine as much as permanent options. You can pop out your retainers and easily clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle soap.
- Backups Possible: You can order extra removable retainers. It can be stressful to wait for an appointment if your retainer breaks, so having a backup can be reassuring.
Disadvantages
- Damage Prone: Since these retainers aren’t always in your mouth, it’s easier to damage them. Your retainer case is your first line of defense, use it!
- Requires More Personal Responsibility: Removable retainers put you in charge of your wear schedule. They’re effective, but only when you remember to wear them.
- More Frequent Replacement: Hawley retainers last 5–10 years, and plastic retainers last between six months and two years.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Removable Retainer?
If you’re interested in ordering from an online retailer and you’re confident you can maintain a wear schedule, then removable retainers may be a great fit for you. They’re available both in-office and online, so you can choose the option that works best for you.
Hawley and plastic retainers need to be replaced more frequently than permanent ones, but many companies sell them in bulk to make aftercare as simple as possible.
Which Option is Right for You?
Now that we’ve covered the ins and outs of permanent and removable retainers, which is the best fit for you?
Choose a Permanent Retainer If:
You want to affordably maintain your alignment without having to worry about wear schedules.
Choose a Removable Retainer If:
You like to keep your options open. You can get your removable retainers in person or from an online retailer, and you can choose between Hawley or plastic.
Final Thoughts
When you’re deciding which retainer is best for you, remember that you don’t have to stick with the same type on both arches. Many orthodontists suggest their patients get a permanent retainer on the bottom arch and a removable one on top.
It’s all about finding the right retainer for your unique set of circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do removable retainers last?
Hawley retainers can last 5–10 years and clear plastic retainers last between six months and two years. That said, these are just averages. Retainers can last longer or shorter depending on how you care for them.
Are permanent retainers uncomfortable?
It will take you some time to adjust to having a small wire on the lingual (tongue) side of your teeth, but eventually you won’t even notice it’s there.
Will removable retainers change the way I speak?
It can take a few days to adjust to your new appliance. Hawley retainers typically affect speech more than plastic ones, since they have an acrylic plate seated on your arch, while plastic retainers just cover your teeth. If a retainer affects your speech, it usually only lasts a few days. The more you wear your retainers and speak with them in place, the sooner your mouth will adjust.
Why can’t I wear a permanent retainer on both arches?
Some doctors may let you wear a permanent retainer on the upper arch, but most of the time, lower teeth interfere with an upper permanent retainer.
Are certain foods off limits with permanent retainers?
Permanent retainers are very durable, but biting into hard foods can occasionally damage the wire. No foods are off-limits, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Can retainers be repaired?
Dentists can easily repair and adjust Hawley retainers. Unfortunately, plastic retainers cannot be repaired. Permanent retainers require an in-person appointment for issues, which usually costs the same price as getting a new permanent retainer altogether.
Can I purchase a permanent retainer from online retailers?
Permanent retainers are bonded to the teeth with dental cement. Because of the procedure’s hands-on nature, permanent retainers are only available from orthodontists at in-person appointments.
Can I buy removable retainers in bulk?
Yes. Invisalign usually sells their Vivera retainers in four-packs. Some online retainer retailers sell their retainers in bulk too. For example, Retainers Direct gives you the option to add a second retainer to your order at a discounted price and AlignerCo sells a discounted package of eight sets.
Can a filling alter the fit of a retainer?
A filling can change the shape of a tooth, and sometimes affect the fit of your retainers (particularly plastic removable retainers). Be sure to discuss this with your dentist and your retainer provider to evaluate your options.
What should I do if my permanent retainer comes loose?
Make an appointment to see your orthodontist as soon as possible. Some have emergency lines you can call if an issue like this arises. They will be able to reattach the wire, but it might cost as much as purchasing an entirely new retainer ($150–$500).
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