Christy Bieber has a JD from UCLA School of Law and began her career as a college instructor and textbook author. She has been writing full time for over a decade with a focus on making financial and ...

Permanent or fixed retainers are made of a metal wire that is glued to your teeth. Usually, this wire is smooth and solid or has a braided texture. It’s attached to your teeth and adjusted to your ...

Orthodontic treatment isn’t a new solution, and neither are retainers. But as time passes, orthodontic treatment changes and improves. Clear retainers are one of the more recent advancements in ...

A permanent retainer is a device that keeps the teeth in the same place after a person has braces. The retainers remain in the mouth long-term and only an orthodontist can remove them. With regular ...

If you wear a retainer, you might be wondering how to care for it. Your retainer sits inside your mouth and against your teeth, so it quickly accumulates bacteria, plaque, and tartar. Just like you ...

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Amy is an ACA and the CEO and founder of ...