In order to fully understand what a permanent retainer is, we’ll first tell you what a removable retainer is. A removable retainer is very patient-friendly. This type of retainer is designed to be put in at night and taken out in the morning. When you’re wearing a removable retainer, you can take it out to brush and floss your teeth with ease. While a removable retainer is very effective, if it’s not used as directed, it doesn’t tend to be as effective as a permanent retainer. A permanent retainer is ideal for patients who want to “get it and forget it.” Once your orthodontist places a permanent retainer in your mouth, you won’t need to worry about losing it or not wearing it as often as you should. Because teeth naturally shift as we age, a permanent retainer typically provides a better long-term result for teeth straightening than a removable retainer.