Does it hurt to have a permanent retainer removed?

Did you get your permanent retainer on top removed?

• I had braces for about 17 months (less than a year and a half). I got removable retainers on my top and bottom and wore those for about three months. Just today, my orthodontist gave me a permanent retainer on the back of my TOP two front teeth. The choice was completely mine and I said yes after seeing how tiny it was. Well, I'm really starting to think twice about it. Once I got in the car, I think I messed the glue up with my tongue. About an hour later, I tried to take off my removeable retainer on the top that the orthodontist put over the permanent one doing the procedure and I had great difficulty getting it off. When I finally got it off, there was glue on the removeable retainer. I hate the feeling of all this metal on my tongue. When I bite, my bottom teeth hit the permanent retainer. And when I eat, I have to eat really carefully to prevent my bottom teeth from banging against the retainer. How was your experience with permanent retainers on top and how long will it take me to adjust? Will I ever be able to eat normally again? Thanks in advance. Chelse.

• Answer:

  You should also get a permanent wire retainer for the lower anterior teeth.