Description

A fixed retainer per arch—metal or fiber—consists of a bonded orthodontic appliance custom-fitted to the lingual (tongue-facing) surfaces of teeth in either the upper or lower arch to maintain tooth alignment after orthodontic treatment. Description: Material and Types: Fixed retainers are typically made from multi-stranded stainless steel wire or metal alloys such as nickel-titanium, or alternatively from fiber-reinforced composite materials. Metal wires vary in thickness, commonly around 0.0215 to 0.032 inches, and can be single or multi-stranded for flexibility and strength. Fiber retainers, while more aesthetic and smaller in size, tend to have higher failure rates and less ability to allow physiological tooth movement compared to metal retainers.​ Bonding and Placement: The retainer wire is bonded to the lingual surfaces of the teeth using dental composite resin. It can be bonded to every anterior tooth (canine to canine) for maximum stability or just to the canines depending on treatment needs. The bonding provides constant, 24-hour stabilization keeping teeth in their corrected position.​ Purpose and Benefits: A fixed retainer offers durable, continuous retention without requiring patient compliance for removal and reinsertion, preventing relapse of tooth position after braces or aligners. Metal wires allow slight physiological tooth movement minimizing stress or damage, and fiber retainers are an aesthetically pleasing option although less robust long-term.​ Maintenance and Considerations: Patients should maintain excellent oral hygiene to avoid plaque accumulation around the bonded wire. Fixed retainers can occasionally break or debond, most often at the tooth-adhesive interface or due to mechanical fatigue over long-term use. Avoiding hard biting on retainers reduces failure risk.​ Splitting (Bonding Technique): Splitting or selective bonding refers to whether the retainer is bonded to multiple teeth or only specific teeth (e.g., canines), tailored to clinical indications. The choice influences flexibility, comfort, and retention efficacy.​