A wire retainer has an acrylic base that sits against the palate or behind the lower teeth, and a metal wire, sheathed in acrylic, that runs across the front of the teeth and holds them in position. It is removable, and it is the more robust of the two types of retainer used after orthodontic treatment.
How it differs from a clear retainer
The reason a retainer is worn at all, and the schedule it is worn to, are the same for both types and are set out on the clear retainer page. What differs is the appliance itself.
- It is visible. The wire crosses the front of the teeth, so a wire retainer is seen when you speak, where a clear tray largely is not.
- It lasts. Acrylic and metal tolerate daily handling better than thin plastic, and the appliance is not replaced as often.
- It can be adjusted. The wire can be tightened or eased by the orthodontist, which a moulded tray cannot be.
- The base can be colored or patterned to taste, which matters to younger patients in particular.
Looking after a wire retainer
Brush it under cool water each time it comes out, and keep it in its case the rest of the time. Handle it by the acrylic rather than by the wire: a bent wire no longer holds the teeth where it was set to, and it can press where it should not. Keep it away from hot water, which softens acrylic. Bring it to review appointments so that the fit can be checked, and have it looked at rather than adjusted at home if it starts to feel tight or loose.
The dentists behind this treatment
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