We often get asked by patients why we do not offer "permanent" or "bonded" retainers. The answer is simple; because they are not permanent. Many patients who have been provided with this type of retainer are faced with a number of issues. Here's why.
They Were Never Meant to be Permanent
Bonded retainers were first introduced as a temporary solution, and were never meant to stay in place forever.
They are extremely likely to break
Having a bonded retainer is just like having your braces. Biting into something too crunchy or solid can cause it to break. If you had a hard time refraining from eating hard things while in treatment, imagine having to do it forever! With a removable retainer, you are eventually only required to wear it while sleeping, which means you can eat whatever you desire during the day without having to worry.
Your teeth will move if left unrepaired
Because the fixed retainer is bonded to the back of your teeth, this makes it very hard for you to notice if it is broken. Most people only realize it has broken once they notice that their teeth have shifted, and by then it is too late.
They are more likely to cause gingivitis and bone loss
Keeping fixed retainers clean can be quite the chore because they are hard to see and reach. Most people avoid brushing and flossing around their fixed retainers causing plaque and tartar build up. Poor oral hygiene eventually leads to gingivitis and bone loss around the teeth that the retainer is attached to.
Our Alternative
In order to equip our patients with a more reliable retainer, we provide them with Vivera® Retainers by Invisalign®. With this, each patient receives 4 sets of retainers to ensure they last for years to come.
These retainers are clear, comfortable, and are created using a digital scan of your teeth. This means no additional impressions are needed! (You're welcome.)
There are many other advantages to using Vivera retainers as opposed to bonded retainers. Aside from being able to avoid all of the issues mentioned above, they also work as an aligner. This means that if you do briefly forget to wear your retainer, when you do put it back in it will act similarly to Invisalign to move your teeth back to the position they were in when you first got your braces off.
If you have any questions about Vivera retainers, let us know at your next appointment, or we would be happy to answer them via call or email!
Related: What to Expect with Your Retainers