Permanent retainers: pros, cons and cost

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

A permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of your teeth after braces to stop them shifting. Published prices range from about $150 to $1,000 depending on the source, and the first one is often included in the cost of braces. It can stay in for years, even for life, as long as it's kept clean and checked.

What a permanent retainer is

A permanent (fixed or bonded) retainer is a custom-fitted, slender wire cemented or bonded to the inner side of the upper or lower teeth (AAO). The wire is usually smooth and solid or braided, and it's adjusted to your bite to keep your teeth from shifting (Healthline). Because it sits on the tongue side, it's also called a lingual wire (Healthline).

Healthline says permanent retainers are more often used on the lower teeth, where the bonding material attaches more securely, and that removable retainers may be better for the upper teeth because the lower teeth can bite on an upper fixed wire (Healthline). In many cases orthodontists use a combination of permanent and removable retainers (Healthline).

How much a permanent retainer costs

Sources differ, partly because some quote one arch and some a full retainer, and because they come from different years:

Before you pay anything separately, check your braces quote: the AAO says the first set of retainers is often included in the overall fee, while replacements may be a separate charge (AAO). Insurance may not help with replacements either; Delta Dental of Virginia covers orthodontic retention but not replacement retainers (Delta Dental of Virginia).

Pros and cons

Permanent vs removable retainers

Healthline's same comparison puts Vivera clear retainers, which often come as a set of four, at $400 to $1,200 a set (Healthline). More on every type and its price on retainer costs.

Getting a permanent retainer put in

A permanent retainer is bonded to the back of the teeth with a glue-like agent, usually on the front upper or lower teeth (Cleveland Clinic). It takes longer than taking an impression for a removable retainer, but you leave the office with it in place, without waiting for a lab to make it (Cleveland Clinic). Healthline notes bonding can sometimes take up to an hour and may be uncomfortable (Healthline). There needs to be enough tooth surface for the bonding material to hold (Healthline).

Drawbacks to know about

• Cleaning takes more effort. If you don't clean around the wire properly, your risk of cavities and gum disease can increase (Healthline).
• It can feel odd. Your tongue can rub against the wire, and a loose bond or broken wire can irritate or scratch it (Healthline).
• Some foods can damage it. Biting into hard or tough foods, such as a whole apple or a tough steak, can bend the wire; sugary drinks such as soda can wear away the bonding material (Healthline).
• Repairs can cost extra. If the wire breaks or comes unbonded, you may have to pay to replace it (Healthline).

If your permanent retainer bends or breaks

Don't try to fix it yourself: pressing on it can snap the bond or the wire and damage your teeth (Healthline). If it isn't hurting you, book an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist as soon as you can; if it has broken off or injured your mouth, call right away (Healthline). Ask whether your orthodontist has an emergency line (Healthline). The longer you wait, the more your teeth can shift back (Cleveland Clinic).

How long a permanent retainer lasts

As the name suggests, it can stay on your teeth for the rest of your life (Healthline). The AAO says a retainer of some kind is typically needed for life, though how often you wear a removable one may decrease over time (AAO). A permanent retainer can come loose or break, especially if you bite into hard or sticky foods, and your dentist or orthodontist may remove it if it irritates your gums or leads to plaque buildup (Healthline).

Cleaning around a permanent retainer

• Brush around the wire every day, getting the bristles into every gap near the bonding material and behind the wire (Healthline).
• To floss, thread a 6-inch piece of floss under the wire with a floss threader, move it gently up and down the sides of each tooth to the gumline, then move to the next gap (Healthline). Don't force it, or you can cut your gums.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods that could dislodge the wire (AAO).
• Keep up regular dental check-ups so tartar around the wire is removed.
• If the wire feels loose or a tooth seems to be moving, see your orthodontist promptly rather than waiting.

Who a permanent retainer suits

Orthodontists often recommend permanent retainers after braces to stop teeth moving back, and may suggest one if you find it hard to stick to wearing a removable retainer (Healthline). There needs to be enough tooth surface for the bonding material to hold (Healthline). They suit people who'd rather not think about their retainer, as long as they'll take the extra time to clean around it.

Repair and replacement costs

If the wire breaks or comes unbonded, you may pay a replacement fee (Healthline); Healthline's figures put placing or replacing one at $150 to $500 (Healthline). Replacement retainers are often a separate fee from the original treatment (AAO), and insurance may not help: Delta Dental of Virginia covers orthodontic retention but not replacement retainers (Delta Dental of Virginia). Ask at the start what repairs cost and for how long, if at all, they're included.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

• Will I get a permanent retainer, a removable one, or both? On which teeth?
• Is the first retainer included in my braces fee?
• What does a repair or replacement cost if the wire comes loose?
• How often should the retainer be checked?