After braces or aligners, many patients receive a fixed retainer: a thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth. It works around the clock to stop teeth drifting back, without you having to remember to wear anything. Because it is fixed, it needs a careful cleaning routine to keep the teeth and gums around it healthy.
A fixed retainer is a thin, flexible wire shaped to the inner surfaces of your front teeth and bonded with small amounts of tooth-coloured composite. It holds the teeth in their new positions while the bone and gum fibres stabilise. Fixed retainers are most commonly placed behind the lower front teeth, which are particularly prone to crowding, but they can also be used on the upper teeth.
Plaque and tartar build up easily around the wire, especially behind the lower front teeth, which sit close to a salivary gland. If not cleaned, this can lead to gum inflammation, bad breath and decay. Tartar can also make the wire harder to clean, creating a cycle of build-up.
Brush the inner surfaces of your front teeth carefully, angling the brush so the bristles reach above and below the wire. A small-headed or electric toothbrush can make this easier. Take your time, as these surfaces are easy to rush.
Because the teeth are joined by the wire, normal floss cannot pass down between them. Use a floss threader or superfloss to thread floss under the wire and between each pair of teeth. Interdental brushes can also be used if the spaces allow. A water flosser is a helpful addition.
Regular hygiene visits are important, as tartar often collects behind the lower front teeth. Your hygienist can clean carefully around the wire and check that it is still bonded to every tooth.
Sometimes one of the composite bonds breaks, leaving part of the wire loose. You may feel the wire move or catch on your tongue. Contact your dentist promptly, because a tooth that is no longer attached to the retainer can move. Repairs are usually quick.
Avoid biting directly into very hard foods with your front teeth, such as hard nuts, apples or crusty bread. Cut them into smaller pieces. Sticky foods can also strain the bonds.
Fixed retainers can last many years with good care. Your dentist will check them at regular visits and repair or replace them if needed. Many people also wear a removable retainer at night for extra security.
Use a floss threader or superfloss to pass floss under the wire, or use interdental brushes or a water flosser.
Contact your dentist promptly so it can be repaired before teeth move.
It can stay in place for many years, but it needs regular checks and occasional repair.
Book a retainer check and cleaning with our team. Learn more about metal braces in Al Ain.
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