Fixed retainers in London

A fixed retainer is a thin stainless steel wire bonded to the back of your front teeth (typically canine to canine). It's invisible from the front and works 24/7 to keep your teeth in their corrected position after braces or aligners.

Typically 10–15+ years. Occasional small bond failures can happen — they're quick and inexpensive to repair (£50 standard, £25 member). Most patients keep their fixed retainers indefinitely.

Almost always yes. Avoid biting directly into very hard foods like apples or crusty bread with your front teeth — cut them first. The wire is thin and most patients forget it's there.

Use a floss threader or super-floss to get floss under the wire — we demonstrate at fitting. Water flossers also work very well. Continue brushing twice daily and attend 6-monthly hygiene visits.

The procedure is generally well tolerated and takes about 30 minutes. Once fitted, most patients adapt within 1–2 days. There may be a brief tongue-awareness phase that quickly fades.

We usually recommend both. A fixed retainer does the daily work without you needing to remember; a removable retainer adds insurance and covers the back teeth too. Many patients benefit from having both.

Call us — a loose bond is quick and inexpensive to recement (£50 standard, £25 member). Wear your removable retainer in the meantime to prevent any drift while waiting for the appointment.

Member prices: £225 single arch, £450 both arches, £25 recement. Standard prices: £450, £900 and £50 respectively. Many invisible-braces cases include a retainer within the treatment fee.