Bonded retainers are permanently glued to the back of your teeth to keep your smile straight. These retainers are just a small piece of wire, which means they are completely invisible to others! This simple yet effective treatment from Shannon Orthodontics can help keep your smile looking great for the rest of your life. For more information about bonded retainers in Davenport or Celebration, Florida, we invite you to contact our office at 863-353-6867 and schedule an appointment with our orthodontist, Dr. Chris Shannon.
Bonded retainers wrap a short piece of wire along the back side of your front six teeth. These retainers are considered permanent because they are bonded, or glued, to your teeth. Typically, bonded retainers are only applied to the lower “social six,” but there may be times when our orthodontist may recommend one on your upper teeth. Bonded retainers can be used to simply keep your teeth in line after an orthodontic treatment; more commonly, however, they are used to keep previously crowded teeth in place.
Although bonded retainers are typically permanent, our doctor may only recommend them for a limited amount of time. Using bonded retainers from 6 to 12 months can ensure that your teeth are properly aligned before being removed for the use of a different retainer. Our orthodontist may also recommend a different retainer if your back teeth begin adjusting because bonded retainers are only applied to the front six teeth. Over time, the glue may wear down, and your bonded retainer may end up breaking off one or both of your teeth. If this happens, visit our orthodontist as soon as possible to have the wire re-bonded.
Because bonded retainers are permanently attached to your teeth, it is essential to maintain proper oral hygiene; without it, food, plaque and bacteria can build up between your teeth and around your retainer, ultimately causing tooth damage. Continue proper brushing techniques, and be sure to floss. When flossing around your retainer, you must get the floss between your teeth and the retainer. This can be difficult, but there are flossing tools that can help. If you are interested in learning more about bonded retainers, please contact our office today.
