This is the most useful piece of plastic I've ever owned. Some people complain that the bottom comes off too easily... but I ordered this for Thanksgiving of last year; it lasted all through the meal and every day I have work. It's basically a clear tube with a flat circle to keep it from sliding out. At the bottom is a tiny little circle with a hole it in that you put at the bottom of the tube (in the picture it's upside down). The only way you notice it is if you stick your tongue way out then you can see the little circle of plastic. Of course, even if you didn't have a tongue ring in you would be able to tell that you had it pierced anyway. It's the best retainer I've ever worn.