Bonded / fixed retainers
Broken or Loose Bonded (Permanent) Retainer
A bonded retainer is a thin wire glued to the back of your front teeth. Because it is attached to your teeth, it has to be fixed in person — it cannot be mailed in.
Why this can't be repaired by mail
Bonded retainers (also called permanent, fixed, or lingual retainers) are attached directly to your teeth with dental bonding. Re-bonding or replacing the wire is a chairside procedure done by a dentist or orthodontist. Smile Extension does not repair bonded retainers — we want to be clear so you don't lose time.
What to do until your appointment
- Call your dentist or orthodontist and describe it: wire snapped, one tooth came loose, or the whole wire is off.
- If a loose wire end is poking you, ask the office what to do; orthodontic wax over the end is a common short-term comfort measure.
- Don't pull or cut the wire yourself and avoid very hard or sticky foods on that side.
- Save the wire if it came off completely and bring it to the appointment.
- If you also have a removable retainer, ask your provider whether to wear it in the meantime.
Where we can help
Many people wear a removable Hawley or acrylic retainer alongside, or instead of, a bonded one. If that removable retainer breaks, that is exactly what we repair by mail. See what we repair or view repair prices.
Smile Extension provides mail-order appliance repair, not diagnosis or dental care. If something is painful, injured, or your bite or fit has changed, contact your dentist or orthodontist first.
Why bonded retainers are different
A bonded (permanent) retainer is glued to the back of your teeth, so it has to be repaired or re-bonded in person by your dentist or orthodontist. We cannot repair it by mail. If you also have a removable Hawley or acrylic retainer that is damaged, that one can be sent to us.
See single and two-retainer repair prices and how the photo-first process works.
Quick answers
Can a permanent retainer be fixed by mail?
No. A bonded retainer is attached to your teeth, so it must be re-bonded or replaced in person by a dentist or orthodontist.
Do you repair removable retainers?
Yes — removable Hawley and acrylic retainers are what we repair by mail. Send a photo for a repair check.
Related repair guides
Broken retainer?
Send a photo — we confirm the repair before you pay or ship.