Once the brace is removed it is extremely important to have retainers to hold the teeth in their new positions. Teeth will unfortunately move back if they are not held in position permanently. There are 2 main types of retainers; fixed and removable. The fixed wire retainer is a thin wire that is glued to the back of the front 6 teeth. This wire prevents rotations of the front teeth. The removable retainer is commonly a clear plastic tray which wraps around all the teeth. The removable retainer prevents larger tooth movements and changes in the shape of the arch as well as holding the front teeth in position. Both retainers are recommended best practice as the removable retainer will only be worn during the night. The fixed wire retainer will be permanently holding the front teeth secure.