Permanent (Bonded) Retainer: Pros, Cons and Cost

A permanent retainer, also called a bonded, fixed or lingual retainer, is a thin wire glued to the back of your front teeth after orthodontic treatment. It cannot be seen when you smile, it does not come out, and it works all day and night. Because teeth naturally keep shifting throughout life, and lower front teeth in particular tend to crowd with age, many orthodontists now fit a bonded wire as standard and add a clear removable retainer as a backup.

How is a permanent retainer fitted?

Fitting takes about 20 to 40 minutes and is usually done on the day your braces come off or at your final aligner appointment.

1. The backs of the front teeth are cleaned and polished.
2. A mild gel prepares the enamel for bonding.
3. A wire, either custom-bent or made from a digital scan, is placed behind the teeth.
4. Tooth-coloured composite is applied to each tooth and set with a light.
5. The bite is checked to make sure the upper teeth do not hit the wire.

No injections are needed. Most retainers run from canine to canine (six teeth) on the lower arch, and on the upper arch they are often fitted to the four or six front teeth, depending on the bite.

Compare typical fees for every treatment, in central and outer London, in our London Invisalign and braces price index.

Pros of a permanent retainer

• No compliance needed: it works even if you forget your night-time retainer.
• Invisible: nobody can see it from the front.
• Good for high-risk cases: closed gaps, rotated teeth and lower crowding are particularly prone to relapse.
• Long-lasting: a well-maintained wire can last for many years.

Cons of a permanent retainer

• Harder to clean: plaque and tartar collect around the wire, especially on the lower teeth.
• Bonds can fail: a loose bond means that tooth is no longer held and can move.
• Wire can distort: a bent or active wire can move teeth in unplanned ways, so it needs checking.
• Upper wires and the bite: on some bites there is not enough room for an upper wire.

For that reason most practices recommend a combination: bonded wire plus a removable retainer at night, at least for the first year or two. Our retainer costs guide explains all retainer types and prices, and Essix vs Hawley retainers compares the removable options.

How do you clean a permanent retainer?

Good cleaning protects your gums and helps the bonds last.

• Brush behind the front teeth carefully, angling the brush towards the wire.
• Floss under the wire with a floss threader or superfloss once a day.
• Interdental brushes of the right size are often easier than floss.
• Water flossers help flush debris but do not replace mechanical cleaning.
• Dental hygienist visits every six months or so remove tartar that builds up behind lower teeth.

What if a permanent retainer comes loose?

You will usually notice a sharp edge with your tongue, a tooth that feels different, or a wire that moves. Do not try to glue it back yourself or bend the wire. Instead:

Repairs usually cost about £60 to £150 depending on what is needed. If a tooth has already moved, it may need a short course of aligners before rebonding. See replacement retainers in London for turnaround times and options.

How much does a permanent retainer cost in London?

In London a bonded retainer typically costs £250 to £300 per arch, or about £450 to £500 for upper and lower, if it is not already included in your orthodontic fee. Many treatment quotes include the first set of retainers and a year of retention reviews, so check yours. Across the UK, prices are similar or slightly lower; how much braces cost in London and the UK shows what typical treatment fees include.

How long should you keep a permanent retainer?

As long as you want your teeth to stay straight. There is no set date when teeth stop moving. Some people keep their bonded retainer for life with occasional repairs; others have it removed after several years and switch to a removable retainer worn a few nights a week. Your orthodontist will advise based on how your teeth were before treatment.

Can you get a permanent retainer without having had braces?

Sometimes. A bonded wire can be used to stabilise teeth that have drifted, to hold a gap closed after bonding, or to splint teeth loosened by gum disease, although the last of these is usually managed by a dentist or periodontist. If your teeth have moved since earlier treatment, a short course of aligners followed by a bonded wire is a common route.

Does a permanent retainer affect eating?

Day to day, most people forget it is there. It helps to avoid biting very hard foods directly with the front teeth, such as crusty baguettes, apples straight from the fruit, ice and hard sweets, because heavy forces can break a bond. Cut hard foods into pieces and chew with the back teeth.

Can a permanent retainer be replaced with a removable one?

Yes. If you find the wire hard to clean or you have had repeated breakages, it can be removed and replaced with a clear retainer, ideally made from a fresh scan on the same day so your teeth are held continuously. You will then need to wear the removable retainer consistently, usually every night at first.

Upper vs lower permanent retainers

How often should a bonded retainer be checked?

Most practices review bonded retainers at regular intervals during the first year after treatment, then at least once a year. Your dentist and hygienist will also look at it at routine check-ups. A check takes a few minutes and catches loose bonds or a distorted wire before teeth move.

Get your retainer checked or fitted

If you have just finished treatment elsewhere, have a loose wire, or want to know whether a bonded retainer suits you, we can help. Request a consultation through our form and mention your retainer in the message.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• How Much Do Braces Cost in London and the UK? (2026)
• Invisalign Cost in the UK and London: 2026 Prices
• Lingual Braces in London: Cost, Pros and Cons (2026)
• Is Invisalign Worth It? Pros, Cons and Cost
• Retainer Costs After Braces and Invisalign
• London Invisalign and Braces Price Index 2026
• Orthodontists in London: Invisalign and braces
• Areas of London we cover