Permanent Retainer

BDHuff09

10-Year Member
Joined
May 26, 2012
Messages
309
I have a permanent wire retainer on the inside side of my bottom 6 front teeth. In the PTR packet it says that one cannot enter the academy with any active orthodontics unless they have a waiver. During dodmerb I checked the box that said "current orthodontics" but was never disqualified. The retainer requires no maintenance and I should conceivably not have to take it out until my early to mid 20's. Should I have it removed prior to I-day just to be safe, or will I be okay with keeping it in? I've had to get a waiver already for another issue, and would prefer not to put things in jeopardy by asking for another one IF my retainer would be disqualifying.
 
I have a permanent wire retainer on the inside side of my bottom 6 front teeth. In the PTR packet it says that one cannot enter the academy with any active orthodontics unless they have a waiver. During dodmerb I checked the box that said "current orthodontics" but was never disqualified. The retainer requires no maintenance and I should conceivably not have to take it out until my early to mid 20's. Should I have it removed prior to I-day just to be safe, or will I be okay with keeping it in? I've had to get a waiver already for another issue, and would prefer not to put things in jeopardy by asking for another one IF my retainer would be disqualifying.

My daughter had a permanent retainer in high school so I understand what your talking about. Just my opinion, but I'd remove it. Know they are expensive. Really sucks but I think it's gonna cause you a problem come I day.
 
I'm in the exact same situation. I'm going to call number listed in the PTR packet and see what they say. Worse comes to worse I have to get it taken out.
 
I have a permanent wire retainer on the inside side of my bottom 6 front teeth. In the PTR packet it says that one cannot enter the academy with any active orthodontics unless they have a waiver. During dodmerb I checked the box that said "current orthodontics" but was never disqualified. The retainer requires no maintenance and I should conceivably not have to take it out until my early to mid 20's. Should I have it removed prior to I-day just to be safe, or will I be okay with keeping it in? I've had to get a waiver already for another issue, and would prefer not to put things in jeopardy by asking for another one IF my retainer would be disqualifying.

DD (Class of 2017) has the same type of permanent retainer behind her bottom teeth, and it caused no problems on I-Day. The key word here is "active," which implies the need for ongoing regular appointments for maintenance, etc.
 
DD (Class of 2017) has the same type of permanent retainer behind her bottom teeth, and it caused no problems on I-Day. The key word here is "active," which implies the need for ongoing regular appointments for maintenance, etc.

+1

my DD also has a permanent retainer and was told it wouldn't be a problem.
 
Officially I think it would be fine, but here's what happened to me: I had a permanent retainer but the glue broke off of one of my teeth so that tooth moved. After it happened a second time, I switched to a removable one that I just wear at night. But that tooth never could get moved back to where it was supposed to. I'd recommend seeing if you can get a removable one because it would be a pain to have to get it fixed if it broke/glue came off while at USNA.
 
Thank you Ostermom and gradwife-

That was exactly what I was thinking. My daughter has a permanent retainer and we are not having it removed prior to I-Day because it is not "active".

She asked a bunch of the students there via social media and several came in with one.
 
med

Get an official response from the proper authorities so your question is documented and responded to my an official. General Rule of Thumb - Your medical situation is your own and may treated differently than the one in line before you.
 
Get an official response from the proper authorities so your question is documented and responded to my an official. General Rule of Thumb - Your medical situation is your own and may treated differently than the one in line before you.

Always good advice!

Here's what the appointee manual says for USAFA. I suspect its the same for USNA, but as Craig said, double-check it.

"Active orthodontic appliances are a disqualifying condition" ... "All orthodontic treatment must be completed, devices removed, and retainers (if indicated) in place prior to entering the Academy."
 
Just got off the phone with the staff orthodontist at the Naval Academy, was told that a permanent retainer is, "all good", and that on I-Day it will be entered in my file that I have a permanent retainer.
 
I used to have a permanent retainer and the wire would occasionally come unglued and painfully poke my cheek. I recently went to my orthodontist and he took it off and gave me a removable retainer for about $80 I believe. Hopefully USNA will allow my parents to mail me both my removable retainers and use them during PS.
 
my son brought his removable retainers to plebe summer on Iday and wore then at night. no worries.
 
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