The Lingual Bonded Retainer: Pros and Cons 

Ask ten orthodontists their opinion of the lingual bonded retainer, and you are sure to get ten different answers. Some orthodontists love them, others hate them. Most fall somewhere in the middle. Why are some orthodontists so squarely in the bonded retainer camp while others are so against it?

The Pros of the Lingual Bonded Retainer

Perhaps the biggest benefit of a choosing a bonded retainer is avoiding the common compliance issues encountered with removable retainer patients. Teens (and even adults) may wear their retainer for a while, but eventually they stop, and their teeth begin to shift. The best way to ensure that the teeth stay in place is with a bonded retainer. If they can’t take it out, they won’t.

Cons of the Bonded Retainer

Bonded retainers make it difficult for patients (and dental hygienists) to effectively clean the retained teeth. Also, the bonded retainer can only maintain the position of the teeth to which it is bonded.  Finally, a bonded retainer demands regular monitoring, because patients often are unable to tell when a tooth becomes un-bonded.

Best advice? Recognize that every patient is unique. While a bonded retainer might be appropriate for some patients…it won’t be for others.   Contact SMLGlobal for more information.