A Hawley retainer is a durable, adjustable acrylic retainer with a metal wire across the front teeth. An Essix retainer is a thin, clear plastic tray. A permanent retainer is a thin wire bonded behind your teeth. The right one depends on your bite, your habits, and how reliably you'll wear it. Your braces come off. You're thrilled. Then someone hands you a retainer and explains how often to wear it, and suddenly there's a choice you didn't know you had. Hawley, Essix, permane
