I got my braces removed over 13 years ago, after having them on for 2+ years. And I have had the same retainer, an Essix retainer, since then.

Does anyone have a bonded/permanent retainer? I mentioned it to my dentist, and he said that he could probably do one for me, but referred me to a local orthodontist because he thought the ortho could probably do a better job. I called the ortho, and they normally don't do them. I guess I will beg/plead at my consultation appt to get one. The dentist thought it was an excellent idea, especially since my teeth still shift over a matter of a few days if I don't wear my retainer at night.

What kind of retainer do you have? Post braces.

The Essix is a bottom and top piece, made of clear plastic, similar (if not identical) to invisalign braces. My poor retainer is ancient. It has been broken, superglued, and the poor thing needs to be trashed.

I had a permanent retainer on the bottom for at least 10 years until I bent it while eating a frozen snickers bar. My teeth started to move right away with the retainer bent of course so the ortho put another permanent retainer in which laster a few more years until I did the exact same thing. He then took it out as long as I promised to come in if my teeth started to move. Mine were fine until I got my wisdom teeth taken out, then my front teeth started to look like they were starting to get uneven so I went in (which was at least a year after my wisdom teeth were taken out) and was fitted for a normal retainer now. I have been going for over 2 years now with the normal retainer trying to get them back to where they are suposse to be - of course to me they have looked fine for a long time I know what you mean about not wearing your retainer for a few days - I am bad about wearing it and it is so tight when I have missed a few days.

I had braces on my top and bottom teeth 18 years ago. My teeth were straight and beautiful. I had both top and bottom (removable) retainers after the braces were taken off. I rarely wore either. My top teeth were fine but the bottom teeth crowded up together again. I took my daughter in for braces about a year and a half ago and got the orthodontist to check my bottom teeth. I got braces put back on once AGAIN just on the bottom a few months after she got her braces. I had to wear them 6 1/2 months and then he put in a permanent retainer. At first, I hated it! Then, after getting use to it, I think it's wonderful! I don't have to worry about wearing it, it's always there and my teeth haven't moved yet! They are still as straight as the day the orthodontist took off the braces. Granted, it can bend as another post said. You have to be extremely careful biting hard things. But, most foods--sandwiches, burgers, etc.--there is no problem at all (though food does get caught between the wire and your teeth...easily removed with floss or toothpick). Mine has come unglued once and they just glued it right back in and that was all. I HIGHLY recommend the permanent retainers.

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Mom to a beautiful 15 year old DD and my handsome little man who's 6!

~~~GO DALE JR!!~~~

My 15 year old daughter has a permanent retainer on the bottom (she got her braces off last year). She will have it the rest of her life. It is so tiny you can't even tell it's there but the orthodontist is a firm believer in permanent retainers on the bottom teeth. My daughter is a typical teen and will whine about anything but never has mentioned that bottom retainer. She's a bear cat on wearing that top one tho. AGH!

My top teeth don't move that much at all. If I don't wear my retainer for a week, the top still pops in just fine. But that bottom one does not want to go on. Yes, I admit it : I don't wear my retainer as often as I am supposed to.

I am hoping that between my dentist and the orthodontist that something can be done this year with the bottom teeth. If nothing else, than maybe a small daytime/night time metal retainer to go over those bottom teeth that is removable. Anything to get rid of that huge clunky Essix retainer.

http://www.wheatonorthodontics.com/appliances.shtml

I like my removable retainers because I have TMJ and the retainers keep me from grinding my teeth. I do need a new lower one at some point though. I have worn a hole through it! Based on 1boymom's link I think it is an Essix but I don't consider it bulky... It is quite comfortable. My top one looks like the blue removable retainer in the link.

I had my teeth straightened 9 years ago at age 34 (our insurance covered a large portion because of the TMJ -- my dentist did my orthodontic work and did a GREAT job! -- and no more TMJ as far as I can tell?!).

He said that it would be best if I wore the retainers well into my old age. *sigh*

I have had a permanent retainer on my lower teeth for almost 21 years and I've never had any problems with it. My was put on because at the age of 12 I kept "accidently"" breaking my removable retainer. My mother and my dentist finally got tired of it and decided a permanent one was better for me.

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"Let me watch my children grow to see what they become
Lord don't let that cold wind blow til I'm too old to die young'

My son got his braces off, and now has a permanent retainer bonded to his lower front teeth. He also wears the clear retainers - both top and bottom, and will do so for the next five years. The ortho mentioned that eventually he may change it so my son only wears it at night. But for now, he wears it 24/7, unless he is eating!

I had my braces taken off about 17-18 years ago. I had a removeable retainer on top that I wore for a few years and I still have my permanent retainer on the bottom. It just goes behind my six front teeth on the bottom. It was hard to get used to at first, but I don't even know it's there anymore.

Wow! I didn't realize it had been that long since I had my braces taken off. I feel old.

This thread is really interesting. I have never heard of so many people wearing retainers indefinitely after having braces. I had braces in high school...about 25 years ago (had them for about 3 1/2 years since they had to correct two different separate issues, and had to finish treating one thing first before starting treatment on the other) I remember having a retainer for short time after getting my braces off, but I don't remember really wearing it much since I hated it. I have never worn a retainer since then, and have perfectly straight, beautiful teeth. Whenever I go to a new dentist, they comment on my teeth (actually have had many total strangers comment on my teeth..LOL!). Most of my friends have worn braces at some point, mostly in high school, and I don't know of a single person who wore a retainer for an extended period of time....and know that none of them wear one now.