A bonding technique for fixed maxillary retainers

Maintaining incisor alignment is an important goal of orthodontic retention and can only be guaranteed by placement of an intact, passive and permanent fixed retainer. Here we describe a reliable technique for bonding maxillary retainers and demonstrate all the steps necessary for both technician and clinician. The importance of increasing the surface roughness of the wire and teeth to be bonded, maintaining passivity of the retainer, especially during bonding, the use of a stiff wire and correct placement of the retainer are all discussed. Examples of adverse tooth movement from retainers with twisted and multistrand wires are shown.