Protect your straight smile permanently with a bonded fixed retainer. A thin, invisible wire is bonded to the back of your teeth — providing 24/7 retention with zero effort. Quick, painless procedure from just £300 per arch at our South Kensington clinic.
Fixed Retainer
From £300
Per arch
Permanent Retention
A fixed retainer (also known as a bonded retainer, permanent retainer or lingual retainer) is a thin wire that is bonded to the back surface of your front teeth using dental adhesive. It is completely invisible from the front and provides permanent, automatic retention — holding your teeth in their corrected positions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fixed retainers are the gold standard for post-orthodontic retention. After any teeth-straightening treatment — whether clear aligners, invisible braces, or traditional orthodontics — teeth will naturally tend to shift back towards their original positions over time. This is called orthodontic relapse, and it affects virtually all patients to some degree.
A fixed retainer eliminates this risk by holding the teeth in position permanently. Unlike removable retainers, there is no compliance requirement — you do not need to remember to wear it every night. The retainer works continuously, silently and invisibly.
At Dental Clinic London, we offer fixed retainers from £300 per arch. The bonding procedure takes approximately 20–30 minutes, is completely painless, and requires no injections or drilling. Our Smart Align and Ultimate Align Pro Aligner plans include two sets of free retainers.
Advantages
Fixed retainers are bonded to the back (lingual) surface of your teeth — completely hidden from view. No one will know you are wearing a retainer. They provide continuous, 24/7 retention without any effort on your part.
Unlike removable retainers that require you to remember to wear them every night, fixed retainers work automatically. Once bonded, they hold your teeth in position permanently — eliminating the risk of forgetting and allowing teeth to shift.
Modern fixed retainers use a thin, flexible stainless-steel or composite wire that is barely noticeable. Most patients forget they are there within a few days. The wire does not interfere with speech, eating or daily life.
With proper care, fixed retainers can last many years — often 10+ years. They provide the most reliable long-term protection against orthodontic relapse, particularly for lower front teeth which are most prone to shifting.
Fixed retainers are the gold standard for post-orthodontic retention. Whether you have had clear aligners, invisible braces, or traditional braces, a fixed retainer ensures your investment in straight teeth is protected for the long term.
Bonding a fixed retainer takes approximately 20–30 minutes per arch. The procedure is painless, non-invasive and requires no drilling or injections. Your dentist will use dental adhesive to bond the wire to the back of your teeth.
The Procedure
Your dentist assesses your teeth and determines whether a fixed retainer is the best option for your retention needs. We check your bite, alignment and oral health. Fixed retainers are most commonly placed on the lower 6 front teeth and/or upper 4–6 front teeth.
The lingual (back) surfaces of your teeth are cleaned, dried and lightly etched to create an optimal bonding surface. This is completely painless and takes just a few minutes.
A custom-fitted thin wire is positioned on the lingual surfaces of your teeth. Your dentist uses dental composite adhesive to bond the wire securely to each tooth. The wire is carefully contoured to follow the natural curve of your dental arch.
Your dentist checks your bite to ensure the retainer does not interfere with occlusion. Any excess bonding material is removed and polished. The entire procedure takes approximately 20–30 minutes per arch.
You will receive specific instructions on how to clean around your fixed retainer — including using interdental brushes or floss threaders. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor the retainer and address any issues early.
Retainer Options
| Feature | Fixed Retainer | Removable Retainer |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Invisible (behind teeth) | Invisible (clear tray) |
| Compliance | Automatic — 24/7 | Must wear nightly |
| Comfort | Barely noticeable | Slight pressure |
| Cleaning | Needs floss threaders | Easy — remove to clean |
| Durability | 10+ years | 1–3 years (replace) |
| Cost | From £300/arch | From £200/arch |
Many patients choose both — a fixed retainer for permanent protection and a removable retainer as a night-time backup.
Transparent Pricing
| Fixed Retainer (per arch)Bonded lingual wire — permanently attached behind teeth | From £300 |
| Fixed Retainer (both arches)Upper and lower arches — permanent retention | From £550 |
| Fixed Retainer RepairRe-bonding or repair of existing wire | From £80 |
| Retainer Check-upAssessment of existing retainers & oral health | From £30 |
| Removable Retainer (per arch)Clear Essix-type retainer — alternative to fixed | From £200 |
| Hawley Retainer (per arch)Acrylic & wire retainer — adjustable, durable | From £250 |
Pricing subject to clinical assessment. Smart Align and Ultimate Align plans include 2 × free retainers.
Common Questions
Meet Your Dentists
All retainer placement and orthodontic retention at Dental Clinic London is carried out by GDC-registered dentists with extensive experience in orthodontic aftercare.
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director
GDC: 195843
Dentist
GDC: 302422
Dentist
GDC: 197926
Dentist
GDC: 229601
Patient Reviews
Registered · Regulated · Trusted
Our South Kensington clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and all our clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). All marketing materials comply with ASA / CAP advertising standards.
CQC Regulated
South Kensington clinic
GDC Registered
All clinicians
ASA / CAP Compliant
Advertising standards
CQC Provider: Medical and Dental Limited · Registration No. 1-20629579981
Don't let orthodontic relapse undo your investment. Book a fixed retainer appointment today — a quick, painless procedure that keeps your teeth in place permanently.