Metal Mouth Message Board

I posted this on another forum but wanted to get an answer from the docs if possible. Ok, I need some info on permanent retainers. I wore braces in the 8th grade and then my teeth looked great. Since I've gotten older I can't remember the last time I wore my plastic retainers. So now I think i'm going to wear braces for a short time to align my teeth again but this time I'm interested in getting the permanent retainers because i just can't seem to remember to wear my retainers EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. So question is how do the permanent retainers work? Once they're in, thats it for life? Like do the retainers keep them in line for life? And also can I get those retainers placed behind my top as well as the bottom row of teeth? I also am thinking my motivation for going through w/the braces again is the chance they may stay in place this time w/the permanent retainers. Please help

P.S. Someone replied to me also saying that I may or may not be able to get permanent retainers based on my occlusion. So my concern whether my eligibility can be determined before I get the braces