My son has to get a permanent retainer

[KarenP]

He got his braces off about 18 months ago. He is starting to get a space between his teeth so I took him back to the orthodontist, who is now considering putting a permanent retainer in. He described it as a wire he will glue behind my son's 2 front teeth. I have never heard of this before. Does anyone else have one? Do you have to worry about it coming out, and is it uncomfortable to wear? I am kind of disgusted as the purpose of the braces was to correct this. I am anxious to hear pros and cons anyone may have to offer.

Thanks!
Karen

 

[TarraLee]

I have a perm retainer on the top and bottom, have had them ever since I got the braces off (about 8-9 years).

Overall, it is a good thing, they don't hurt, you can't lose them, you don't have to take them out at lunch, you can't accidentally throw them away, my teeth haven't moved, etc. The only downside is a little gross, but true-- you have to be really careful to brush really well on the backs of your teeth or sometimes well, you can imagine. At first, it does take some getting used to and it is a little hard to say certain words bc the retainer gets in the way of your tounge.

Our orthodontist stopped doing them by the time my sis got her braces off, and let me just say-- my parents have paid for 5 new retainers, she "forgets" to weat them or they hurt, and her teeth have moved a little. I'm happy mine are cemented in!

good luck to your son, KarenP!

 

[DoeWDW]

I had one cemented behind my bottom teeth for 7-8 years. It is a real pain to clean behind but you REALLY need to take the time and FLOSS those teeth.

My dentist had me eventually call the orthodontist and they said it could be removed. My bottom teeth have shifted a teeny bit since then (a couple years ago) but I think it was in long enough that they aren't going to move too much.

All in all, it was easier than having a removable retainer and I'd do it again. Wish I'd had a permanent retainer for the TOP teeth, since I didn't wear the removable retainer like I should have and they've REALLY shifted.

Best of luck to your son!

 

[Keli]

My dd has a permanent retainer on her bottom teeth and a reg. retainer on the top. I like the perrmanent one better because I'm forever having to remind Ash to put in her regular retainer at bedtime (she only sleeps in it). We've also had to replace her retainer once already when she lost the first one. I have heard though that people can develop cavities under a permanent retainer which makes me nervous.

 

[RKC]

Hi,

I used to work as an orto tech, and actually would make the permanent upper retainers (lowers we sent out to a lab). We put permanent lowers on just about everyone and permanent uppers on anyone the doctors thought might develope a space in the front. I also have permanent upper and lower retainers myself. They cause me absolutely no trouble, and I 've had them in for 6 years. My husband had his lower in for about 16 years also with no problems or cavities. In all the time I worked at the orthodontists office I never saw anyone with a cavity related to their permanent retainer. Hope this helps.

P.S. Yes you do have to floss a little differently with permanent retainers (think drying your back with a towel) it takes no longer than regular flossing.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I am an adult currently in braces, and will have them for about three years. When I get them off (so far away that I don't even think about it! ) I will get a permanent retainer for the lowers. My ortho always put pernament ones on adults. I also particpate in a message board of adults in braces, and almost everyone is getting a permanent retainer. I will have to wear my upper retainer full time for at least a year, then at night until I drop dead or I need dentures! I been told I will never be retainer-less!! But I am glad to get the pernament retainer as my lowers orginally were horribly crooked.

Sometimes it amazes me to what lengths society goes through just for the apearance of our teeth!

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I just posted a post about this...I should have been "inspired"
Anyway, DD7 is going to have removable expander on the bottom!!....if anyone knows how she is, and I have talked about her, I really don't think she will carry through with it......

more info....please!!!!!!!!