A bonded retainer, also known as a permanent retainer, is a type of metal retainer wire that is glued to the back of your teeth. They are typically placed on the lower teeth from canine to canine, but are also placed behind the upper teeth in certain situations. Although they are not permanently glued to your teeth, you will often them referred to as "permanent retainers." The reason for that is because bonded retainers are not removable by the patient. However, they can always be removed by a dental professional. With a little polishing of the glue that holds the wire in place the bonded retainer can be removed, leaving the tooth enamel in a healthy condition.