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What Are Permanent Retainers?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

Anyone could be wearing permanent retainers—because no one else can tell! BHO spills the tea about the visible benefits of these invisible appliances
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • December 16, 2022

Ahh, retainers: the unsung heroes of orthodontic care. Retainers enable orthodontic patients to keep their perfect smiles for life, as long as you don’t throw them out with your lunch tray. 

In general, treatments by both Invisalign and conventional braces take around 3  to 24 months to complete. Once the Invisalign trays are gone or braces have been removed, orthodontic patients can see just how much their smiles have improved. Free from crowding and bite issues, patients can finally show off their flawless smiles and experience the numerous health benefits associated with straight teeth.

Of course, orthodontic care doesn’t stop after active treatment ends. Once a patient finishes their Invisalign treatment or loses their braces, their teeth naturally try to move back to their original positions. To keep that new smile perfectly in place, it’s essential that orthodontic patients wear retainers following active treatment. 

Here at Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we offer a variety of retainer options to meet the preferences of different patients. In the last few years, patients have been particularly interested in permanent retainers. Because permanent retainers are less obvious than conventional retainers, our patients tend to have a few common questions, including:

  • What are permanent retainers?
  • What are the pros and cons of permanent retainers?
  • How do permanent retainers compare to other retainer options?

If you’re asking yourself the same questions, keep reading to find the answers!

So, What Are Permanent Retainers, Exactly?

Given that this article is titled, “What are Permanent Retainers?” a simple description of permanent retainers seems like a natural place to start our discussion. 

Permanent retainers—aka “bonded retainers” or “fixed retainers”—don’t have the familiar look of a Hawley or a clear retainer. Instead, permanent retainers look like small wires. Made of solid or braided metal, permanent retainers are cemented to the back of teeth in order to prevent them from shifting positions. 

Compared to other retainer options, permanent retainers can last much longer. For example, both Hawley and Essix retainers need periodic replacements because of natural wear and tear. Over time, traditional retainers warp and change shape. They become less effective at keeping teeth in place, putting patients’ teeth at risk of reverting back to their original positions. 

Permanent retainers, on the other hand, do not warp with time. The metal can remain sturdy for decades, providing patients with an “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” approach to orthodontic retention.

At BHO, our bonded retainer comes with a clean retainer overlay that also keeps the back teeth in  place.

The Advantages of Permanent Retainers

As you may have already guessed from the description above, one of the biggest advantages of permanent retainers is convenience. 

In addition to outlasting clear and Hawley retainers, permanent retainers require less care and attention than alternatives. Patients who choose permanent retainers over removable retainers enjoy a variety of benefits:

Lifelong Retention

The end of active treatment is when teeth are at the highest risk of shifting. To prevent movement, orthodontists recommend that patients wear retainers as much as possible for 6-12  months after treatment, and then only at night for the rest of their lives.
Patients with permanent retainers never have to worry about wearing an appliance for a certain amount of time. Once installed and maintained meticulously, the permanent retainer applies enough constant pressure to keep teeth in place for life. We recommend wearing the clear overlay a few nights a week.

Impossible To Lose

Removable retainers are incredibly easy to misplace. Although we always recommend that patients keep their retainers in familiar spots—and inside cases—when not in use, we can tell you from first-hand experience how easy it is to lose track of them. 

In contrast, permanent retainers are impossible to lose. The bonding material used to affix permanent retainers is strong enough to last for 20+ years, offering patients worry-free results. 

Discreet Look

Permanent retainers are bonded on the tongue side of teeth. As such, no one ever sees a permanent retainer unless the wearer directs them to take a look. 

If you love the natural aesthetic of your smile, a permanent retainer will let you keep that appearance 24 hours a day.

The Disadvantages of Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers are convenient, discreet, and long-lasting. However, they are not entirely free from disadvantages.

One of the biggest drawbacks is that permanent retainers are more difficult to clean than conventional retainers. Cleaning a permanent retainer is comparable to cleaning your teeth when you have braces. You need to brush around the wire to keep teeth clean and floss in between the wire to prevent plaque buildup. This process can be time-consuming, which is why many permanent retainer wearers end up with significant plaque buildup. 

Permanent retainers also require a certain amount of modification when eating. For example, you can’t bite into anything hard with your front teeth. Biting into hard or crunchy foods without thinking about your permanent retainer means you could break or bend the wire, which can cause tooth movement. That said, the vast majority of patients can still eat as they always have once the retainer is installed.

In short, permanent retainers do require more maintenance than other options, but many patients find this to be a fair trade-off in exchange for daily convenience and great aesthetics.

Now That You Understand Permanent Retainers, You Are Ready To Schedule Your Retainer Appointment!

When it comes to convenient retainer options, it’s hard to beat the permanent retainer. Bonded directly behind your teeth, permanent retainers keep teeth in place 24 hours a day. This allows patients to live their lives without worrying about wearing a retainer at night or removing—and keeping track of it—throughout the day. 

If you are about to finish your orthodontic treatment or are looking for a new retainer, Beverly Hills Orthodontics is your home for permanent retainer care. Located in Beverly Hills, Studio City, Alhambra, or Downtown LA, BHO has multiple locations to make your life easier. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discuss your retainer options!

Have more permanent retainer questions? Call or text us at 310-785-0770 or visit our contact page to book an appointment.

Your Smile Is More than just two rows of teeth - it's how you show your personality to the world.

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patient reviews

Enjoy our 5-star experience.

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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Before finding BHO, I had consultations both telling me traditional braces were my only option. I knew my case would be a bit challenging but as an adult, metal braces weren't going to work... for me, aesthetically speaking. I'm so glad I followed my instincts and gave BHO a shot! From the moment I walked in, I knew this was the place. Modern amenities with a super friendly staff explaining everything along the way - what a great first impression! I just started my treatment and can't wait to see my results! Dr. Madan and her team are legit! Don't hesitate to get the smile your deserve!read more
Nydia J.
Our entire experience with the staff and services at Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been fantastic. Their knowledge, advice and care has been exceptional and I have no hesitation in... recommending them to anyone looking for first class orthodontic care. Special shout outs to Dr Madan and Gabriel for their above and beyond care❤️read more
Juliet P.
What a wonderful experience. Dr. Madan and the entire staff are professional, kind, and very understanding. So far they have made the experience of Invisalign extremely easy. I just wish I... had gone there sooner!read more
Claire P.
I recently relocated to Los Angeles and not long after being here needed to have some repair dental work done and did not know where to turn. I was given a referral to Dr. Madan and could... not be happier. I was able to receive an appointment really quickly and was advised of an immediate plan of action to get my corrective work going. Dr. Madan is extremely knowledgeable about her craft and to top it off, she has a great temperament that instantly put me at ease and made me feel like she genuinely cared. Her Beverly Hills office is vibrant, with really friendly & pleasant staff, who make you feel comfortable and bring all the right vibes! No question I would recommend Beverly Hills Orthodontics to anyone looking to have work done on their teeth and perfect their smile.read more
Dionnee H.
Dr. Madan and her team at BHO are truly amazing. She has treated myself and my daughter and we both now have BEAUTIFUL smiles because of her. She is an expert at what she does and is... caring and attentive. I recommend this office to everyone all the time!!!!!! The best!!!read more
Mia C.
Tia literally invented the Invisalign game. Changing lives one smile at a time.
William S.
BHO is the only place where you'd want to get your braces done! Their staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Their helpdesk staff always greet you with a smile on. Dr. Madan and her team... of technicians are always ready to answer all of your questions, address any concerns and get you on the road to obtaining the perfect Smile.read more
Bella M.
Amazing people and amazing results-Highly recommend
Ben S.
I’m impressed by the technology and professionalism of Beverly Hills Orthodontics. They are knowledgeable about my unique orthodontic needs and were able to provide recommendations on my... treatment as an adult patient. I’m very excited to begin my Invisalign journey!read more
Victoria G.
Best Orthodontics around! Dr. Madan and her amazing team are always on point, bringing both my kids beautiful smiles. Have been coming to the BH office for several years now and absolutely... love the results and customer service! Would (and have) highly recommended them!read more
J I.
We had a terrific experience with Dr. Madan. They always worked with our schedule and made us feel welcome and happy at each appointment.
Audrey K.
Great experience. Treatment was quick and easy for me and the staff was great to deal with and professional. I’m very happy with my new smile.
Steve V.
I usually don’t do many reviews but I had to for this office! I am myself a Pediatric Dentist and I researched for the best office for my daughter. She just finished her Invisalign ... treatment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics and we are so happy with her smile! I have been practicing Dentistry for over 20 years and I am so impressed with the team here. From the front desk to the Doctors and their assistants, everyone has made our experience so wonderful! As a Dentist, I would recommend BHO for anyone wanting to improve their smile😊read more
Nina G
BHO is awesome and Dr. Monica Madan and their team are so friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I started with some aesthetic improvements for my wedding photos and was very impressed... with the initial results. However, I had a major cross-bite that would typically require surgery to correct, which wasn’t appealing. After consultation with Monica she thought it would be possible to correct with Invisalign so we decided to proceed for the long haul. While it’s been a long time, the results have been outstanding. I wasn’t sure I would be able to be B withstand that long of the treatment and achieve these results but after seeing the progress it’s been very encouraging and motivating to stick with it. I’m likely on my last refinement and the before and after is remarkable and transformative. Their office is always bright, clean, and has a lively vibe going on. Always feel good being there and better when I leave. Couldn’t recommend them more highly enough. Monica has done a great job building this out and creating a great team and experience.read more
Matt W.
Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been a wonderful experience. The team are extremely professional and experienced. I completed my Invisalign treatment today and had enameloplasty and zoom... whitening to complete the treatment. I’m so happy with the results. Dr. Madan, Gabriel, and the rest of the team listened to my concerns, set up several check-up appointments with me to follow my progress, and provided me with refinements when my teeth were being stubborn. The office is also a great atmosphere with current music playing, friendly staff, and amazing views of Los Angeles from the dentist chair! I would highly recommend this orthodontic practice. Thank you, everyone!read more
Sophie D.
Great overall service staff was very helpful with explaining process. Would highly recommend as it was a smooth process with no surprises along the way.Would like to highlight the... multiple locations which make it easy for scheduling appointments dependent on where you live or what part of LA you will be in that day.read more
Sean M.
My son and daughter have been coming here for years! Absolutely love them.
Tarja C.
I started my Invisalign treatments here and the staff was really friendly and patient with all my concerns and questions. Love it!
Jana M.
Super great experience! Came in for my consultation around the beginning of the year with a plan in mind to have my teeth straight before graduation through Invisalign and the BHO team... completely surpassed my expectations. My USC graduation is in 2 weeks, I just got my brackets off and smile is looking awesome. Annabel and Gabriel were so welcoming, friendly, and made the experience that much better. Dr. Madan was awesome she was always around and extremely hands on, great personality! Definitely come here if you’re looking for an orthodontist!! 10/10! :)read more
Eva P.
Really great experience so far, especially compared to other ortho places where I've had treatment before. For example, my partner went to another place and doesn't hear from them for... months at a time, whereas this place uses an app to keep in touch every week.They were running a special when I signed up which took nearly $1,000 off invisalign - super helpful considering the price!!! I don't think it runs all the time so you might want to ask them - but they combined it with my dental insurance so the cost came out really affordable... less than $100/month for 12 months.Even when I needed tooth filing, attachments, and refinements across multiple visits, they were super kind and flexible to meet my very very hectic schedule definitely recommend going here!read more
Jonathan B.
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