Fixed vs Removable Retainers

Retainers maple grove mn are crucial for keeping your newly straightened teeth in line! There are two options you may be presented with at your final ortho visit, a fixed retainer or a removable retainer. Here are some of the pros and cons of each.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are made of a clear, hard plastic and cover all of your teeth on the entire upper and lower arch. They can be taken out to eat and for cleaning.

• Pros: Since they can be taken out, removable retainers are easy to keep clean and make flossing between your teeth easier than it is with fixed retainers. Most doctors use clear retainers that fit over the teeth on the whole arch which can also act as a nightguard to protect your teeth from nightly bruxism. Bruxism is when you clench or grind your teeth and is very common during sleep. It can cause damage to the teeth but your retainer will act as a buffer!
• Cons: The biggest drawback of removable retainers is that they are frequently lost, often accidentally discarded after eating and are susceptible to damage when they are not in your mouth or safely in their case. They are also a good place for bacteria to hide and grow so cleaning them regularly is very important. Some may have trouble speaking with them in so they may not wear them as directed during waking hours.

Fixed Retainers

Your dentist may recommend a fixed retainer. A wire is cemented to the back of your anterior teeth to keep them from shifting back to their old positions. They are sometimes also referred to as permanent retainers or lingual retainers.

Patients that are having trouble complying with their orthodontist’s instructions to wear removable retainers may be advised to get a fixed retainer.

• Pros: Fixed retainers are much easier to wear as instructed because you cannot take them out yourself! They are not easily damaged or lost and are not visible to others. Since they are simply a small wire, patients do not usually notice any trouble with speaking.
• Cons: They are not sufficient on their own. Teeth can still shift! You will likely still need to wear removable retainers on top of them because the fixed retainers can only hold a few front teeth to certain degree. Cleaning around a fixed retainer can be difficult and add some time to your oral hygiene routine. Tartar and plaque build-up is a common problem with fixed retainers so it is extremely important to floss well and regularly.

If you have completed orthodontic treatment and then are given retainers that you do not wear as you should, your teeth can shift toward their original position over time and your investment will have been for nothing! So it is very important to comply with your retainers if you were given removable ones.

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