Is it Time to Remove Your Bonded Retainer?

Cleaning and removing a bonded retainer 

Braces are designed to move our teeth gently into place but without the pressure from wires and brackets, our teeth can move out of alignment. To prevent this from happening, your dentist might fit you with a bonded retainer — a piece of wire that runs behind the teeth and is bonded into place.

Bonded retainers are designed to be permanent, but there are exceptions. Here’s how to know if it’s time to get your bonded retainer removed.

The benefits of a bonded retainer

While a bonded retainer isn’t a replacement for wearing a removable retainer at night, it is particularly helpful for keeping lower teeth aligned. Permanent retainers don’t require special care, but small adjustments to your brushing and flossing routine can make a big difference in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.

How to care for a bonded retainer

While there’s no need to remove your bonded retainer before eating, food can easily get caught behind the wire. If you don’t brush carefully, over time plaque can form and lead to problems like early-stage gum disease. Small tweaks to your brushing routine can help.

• Brush at an angle: Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to reach plaque behind the wire.
• Use an electric toothbrush: Electric brushes clean faster and more thoroughly than manual ones, removing more plaque in less time.
• Floss beneath your wire: Flossing is more challenging with a permanent retainer, but it’s essential for maintaining gum health.
• Use the right technique: Superfloss has plastic ends that you can thread behind the wire. Alternatively, loop regular floss around each tooth and pull it gently toward the gum line.

When to get your bonded retainer removed

Bonded retainers have lots of benefits and are safe to wear for decades. But you may need to remove them if you’re experiencing:

Visible damage

Like braces, bonded retainers can break. Hard, sticky, or chewy foods, or injuries to the mouth, can damage the wire. If this happens, your dentist can remove the broken retainer and replace it with a new one.

Tartar build up

If you don’t brush or floss behind your retainer, tartar - a combination of plaque and bacteria - can build up there. If it’s not too bad, a hygienist can clean around the retainer. If the tartar is extensive, your hygienist might need to take off your retainer first before they can clean your teeth.

If it’s uncomfortable

Retainers, even permanent ones, shouldn’t cause you any pain. In fact, you shouldn’t really even notice their presence in your mouth. If your retainer is sharp or digging in, it should be removed and replaced.

It’s been years since it was placed

There’s no set lifespan for a bonded retainer. Many people wear the same one for 20 years or more. If you’re unsure whether your retainer needs to be replaced, you can ask at your next check up. 

When to see a dentist 

If you notice any problems with your bonded retainer, it’s important to get it checked as soon as possible. Ignoring issues or skipping proper cleaning can lead to plaque buildup, tartar, and even sensitive or inflamed gums. If you have questions about your retainer, our friendly dentists can help. Book an appointment at any one of our four Wellington locations now.