Fixed Retainer

Fixed Retainer

To ensure the success of your orthodontic treatment is maintained, please read the following carefully.

Why have I been fitted with a fixed retainer?

Following a course of orthodontic treatment, wearing retainers are essential to support the teeth, whilst your bone and gums remodel with your teeth in their new position. Retainers can be removable and non-removable (i.e. fixed). Removable retainers are routinely fitted follow- ing all orthodontic treatment, but your orthodontist may advise some patients to have an addi- tional fixed retainer fitted.

A fixed retainer is a thin wire which is semi-permanently bonded to the back of your front teeth. It is usually bonded to between two – six front teeth. Your orthodontist will make a clinical judgement as to which teeth should be bonded. The reason for fitting a fixed retainer is to ad – ditionally help reduce the risk of your teeth moving back to their original position (relapse).

Does everyone who has had orthodontic treatment need a fixed retainer?

Not everyone needs a fixed retainer and please remember that it is NOT a substitute for wear- ing a removable retainer. If however your orthodontist is concerned about certain corrected tooth movements being more prone to relapse, then they may advise you to have one. There are some patients however who are not suitable to have one, e.g. younger patients; patients prone to breakages; patients who struggle to maintain good oral hygiene; or patients with mul- tiple fillings on their front teeth; or have crowns which are not reliable to bond to or simply be – cause the fit of their teeth does not allow the room required to accommodate the fixed retainer.

Having a fixed retainer in place can lead to the teeth being more prone to tooth decay and hence patients with fixed retainers need to be prepared to clean carefully and care for it. Pa – tients need to also budget for the longterm maintenance of fixed retainers as they will require repair, removal or replacement in the future.

How do I clean around my fixed retainer?

• Clean your fixed retainer with either the same electric or manual brush that you use to clean your teeth, at least twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time.

• You will not be able to see your fixed retainer easily and therefore will rely on doing this by feel.

• It is advisable that you clean interdentally between all your other teeth on a daily basis, ideally using a combination of floss and TePe interdental brushes. However, where your fixed retainer is bonded, you should be able to still floss but only up to where the wire is bonded. Afterwards, use your TePe interdental brushes to clean between the teeth, where your fixed retainer is bonded, above the peak of the gum in between the teeth.

How can I prevent my fixed retainer from getting broken?

• Avoid eating hard, chewy, tough, sticky food at the front of your mouth
• Avoid using front teeth to tear into food (e.g. cut up apples, use back teeth to bite into it).
• Avoid habits e.g. biting your nails, chewing on pens and fiddling with your fixed retainer
• Avoid using interdental brushes or sticks to clean the fixed retainer (because if you get it stuck between the wite, it will damage the fixed retainer when removing it).
• Wear a gum shield for activity where you may damage your teeth.

How do I know if my fixed retainer is broken or distorted?

• If you hear a crack or crunching sound when biting
• If you feel roughness or sharpness around your fixed retainer with your tongue
• If you feel that the wire has come away and sticking out, or feels loose
• If you feel pressure on your teeth

Sometimes, it is not noticeable when your fixed retainer has broken or distorted and therefore it is important that you have your fixed retainer checked regularly. This may be either by your orthodontist during the first 12 months following your orthodontic treatment, your dentist or hygienist during routine check-ups or cleans, for the years ahead once you are discharged from your orthodontist. If you dentist or hygienist notice a breakage they may advise that you return to see your orthodontist for further management.

What do I do if I suspect or have been informed my fixed retainer is broken?

If you have any concerns about your fixed retainer, please contact our practice and a member of our team will happily offer advice, and if necessary, book an appointment for you to see your orthodontist. Please note that there will be a fee for seeing your orthodontist again after your have been discharged.

It is important that you still wear your removable retainer, because if a breakage has occurred then wearing your removable retainer at night will reduce the risk of your teeth moving, prior to you returning to have the problem addressed.

Please be aware that it your fixed retainer is badly broken or needs replacing, it is likely that your original removable retainer will no longer fit following a repair or replacement. You would therefore need to be prepared to pay for a new removable retainer, as well as the repair/ re – placement of your fixed retainer.

Please remember to bring your removable retainers to any appointments you have with your orthodontist.

How long do I need to wear a fixed retainer for?

The risk of relapse is greatest within the first 12 months after braces are removed. Therefore, if your fixed retainer lasts at least that duration of time, then it has served it’s purpose. Your orthodontist will supervise and support you wearing your retainers during this period. At your appointments, your orthodontist will check that your fixed retainer has not broken, and if so will advise and repair as necessary.

However, the reality is that fixed retainers can last for many years, after you have been dis- charged. So, if you are not having any issues with your fixed retainer and you are happy to continue wearing it, then you can leave it in place for as long as it will last. Please note that it will fail at some point in the future though, at which point you can decide whether you want it repairing, removing or replacing. Please call our practice and we will be able to offer advice and inform you of the fee involved for the work involved.