Bonded Retainers in Oakleigh: A Lasting Way to Keep Your Teeth In The Same Position After Alignment.
After orthodontic treatment, retaining the final aligned position of your teeth is just as important as straightening them. At Dental Capital SE in Oakleigh, we offer bonded (fixed) retainers as an invisible, reliable solution to help maintain your teeth in position without the risk of relapse (moving back to or near their original position.
A bonded retainer is a wire that gets bonded behind your teeth, usually the lower six front teeth, and is designed to prevent them from moving after the course of braces or clear aligners treatment completion. The wire stays in place all the time, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to wear the removable retainer.
Types of Bonded Retainers We Offer
We provide two options to suit your lifestyle and oral hygiene needs, as well as your individual treatment requirements.
1. Straight Bonded Retainer
This wire is not custom made, and is cut to size, and bonded directly behind your teeth. It is most commonly used to retain the lower front teeth, and occasionally behing the upper four teeth as well.
It can be used as the only retainer method, or in conjunction with clear removable retainer.
Benefits:
Fitted and bonded in a single visit
No lab work required, that’s why it is cheaper than custom V-Loop wires.
Hidden behind the teeth.
Things to consider:
Flossing between the teeth can be tricky, but floss threaders or interdental brushes can be used instead of the regular floss, since the wire is horizontally in the way of the normal floss passage.
2. V-Loop Bonded Retainer
This is a Custom-made option, and it is in the form of continuous wave-like shape, so it allows direct flossing between the teeth.
Benefits:
Better access for flossing and cleaning between the teeth, when compared to the straight wire retainer.
Things to consider:
It requires two appointments, one for taking a mouth scan, and the second visit is to bond the retainer in place.
It is slightly higher in cost due to being a custom design appliance.
Why Choose Dental Capital SE in Oakleigh?
We offer wide range of retainer options to suit a variety of clinical saturations.
We have digital scanner, we do not need to take a physical, messy impressions.
Over 20 years of experience, with gentle, patient-focused approach
Convenient Oakleigh location and flexible appointment times
Book a consultation with us, to discuss options and recommendation tailored only to your specific needs and clinical case requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a bonded retainer?
It’s a wire the is bonded behind the teeth to hold them in place after orthodontic treatment. It stays in your mouth and doesn’t need to be removed.
2. How is it different from a removable retainer?
Bonded retainers stay bonded behind the teeth, and do not require commitment to wear, clean, and risk of being lost.
Removable retainers can be taken out but must be worn regularly to be effective.
Some patients use both for added stability. There is a risk of losing the retainers and breaking them if inserted and removed incorrectly.
3. What’s the difference between straight and V-loop retainers?
Straight retainers are placed directly in the mouth, cheaper than V-loop, and require a single visit, more difficult to floss the teeth.
V-loop retainers are custom-made, easier to floss, require two appointments.
4. Will it be visible or uncomfortable?
No. Bonded retainers are bonded behind the teeth, it may take some time to get used to. Your tongue may initially notice the presence of the wire.
5. How long should I keep it?
It’s better if they are kept for as long as possible to maintain the position of the teeth. They can be replaced if broken or deboned. There is no guarantee that teeth won’t move if there is no reference to their position like bonded retainer or removable retainer.
6. How do I clean around it?
Use floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean between teeth and around the wire in case of fixed straight wire retainer. Use the normal floss in case of the V-loop retainer. Maintain regular dental check-up and clean
7. Can you fix or replace a broken retainer?
Broken retainers can’t be repaired, and usually require removal, cleaning of the teeth from the previous bonding material, and the bonding of a new wire.
The information provided in this post is general in nature and is intended for educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional dental or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your oral health or a specific condition. Individual needs and circumstances vary, and treatment decisions should be made in consultation with your dentist or healthcare provider.