Teeth must be relatively free to move independently with function. Also, bonded 3 to 3 retainers should not be used where anterior coupling is not ideal, because the lack of physiologic forces shown in Figure 1 will render such retainers inadequate. The retainer wire is constructed to ideal alignment. A bonded upper retainer wire is located in the gingival third of the tooth to avoid occlusion. The composite is smoothed to effectively enlarge the cingulum slightly, feathering the edge so plaque retention is minimized.
Care is taken to keep the composite smooth, minimal, and out of occlusion.
A. Impressions are made with appliances in place, so the retainer may be bonded at the day of bracket removal. Models are trimmed up to the last tooth to be bonded to facilitate wire bending. Figure 5 . Avoid bending the incisor segment with pliers to avoid nicks or dents or asymmetries. By bending around turrets, symmetry is maintained.