Fixed Retainers Once the active phase of every orthodontic treatment is completed, retainers must be used to hold the newly straightened teeth in position whilst the surrounding gums and bones settle. The retainers may be fixed or removable depending on each patients' treatment, i.e. which type of tooth movement is being retained.

Fixed retention is usually provided by cementing a thin wire to the lingual (inside) surface of the anterior (front) teeth, upper and/or lower. It serves to keep these teeth straight and is particularly good at retaining rotational corrections and the closure of anterior spacing. They are not good at retaining arch expansion or the closure of extraction spaces and so may need to be used in conjunction with removable retainers.