Dental Retainers
After orthodontic treatment, retainers hold teeth in place while bone and gums stabilise, protecting your result
What are Dental Retainers?
Dental retainers are custom-made devices worn after orthodontic treatment to maintain the new position of your teeth. When braces or clear aligners are removed, your teeth need time for the surrounding bone and gum tissue to stabilise around their new positions.
Without retainers, teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions - a process called relapse. Retainers prevent this movement and protect your investment in orthodontic treatment, ensuring your beautiful new smile stays in place.
Why are Retainers Important?
Prevent Relapse
Teeth naturally want to return to their original positions. Retainers prevent this unwanted movement.
- • Maintains orthodontic results
- • Prevents teeth shifting
- • Protects your investment
- • Ensures long-term stability
Allow Stabilisation
Gives bone and gum tissue time to adapt and stabilise around the new tooth positions.
- • Bone remodelling time
- • Gum tissue adaptation
- • Natural healing process
- • Permanent positioning
Types of Dental Retainers
Clear Retainers (Essix/Vivera)
Transparent, removable retainers made from clear plastic that fit snugly over your teeth.
Advantages
- • Nearly invisible when worn
- • Comfortable to wear
- • Easy to clean
- • Can be removed for eating
- • Good for speech
Considerations
- • Can be lost or damaged
- • Need to be worn consistently
- • May need replacement over time
- • Can affect speech initially
Hawley Retainers
Traditional removable retainers with a wire framework and acrylic base that sits against the roof of your mouth.
Advantages
- • Very durable and long-lasting
- • Can be adjusted if needed
- • Easy to clean
- • Cost-effective
- • Good for complex cases
Considerations
- • More visible than clear retainers
- • May affect speech initially
- • Can be lost or damaged
- • Requires consistent wear
Fixed/Bonded Retainers
Permanent wire retainers bonded to the back of your front teeth, providing continuous retention without needing to remember to wear them.
Advantages
- • Always working - no forgetting
- • Completely invisible
- • No speech impact
- • Can't be lost
- • Long-lasting
Considerations
- • Requires excellent oral hygiene
- • Can break and need repair
- • May need professional cleaning
- • Can't be removed for cleaning
⚠️ Important: Removable Retainers Should Not Be Relied Upon Alone
While removable retainers (clear and Hawley) are effective when worn consistently, they should not be your only retention method. Many orthodontists recommend combining removable retainers with fixed retainers for optimal long-term stability.
Fixed retainers provide continuous protection even when you forget to wear your removable retainer, ensuring your teeth stay in position 24/7. This combination approach offers the best protection against relapse.
Retainer Wearing Schedule
Initial Phase (3-6 months)
Wear retainers full-time (22+ hours per day), removing only for eating, drinking, and oral hygiene. This is the most critical period for preventing relapse.
Transition Phase (6-12 months)
Gradually reduce wear time to night-time only (8-10 hours). Your orthodontist will guide you through this transition based on your individual progress.
Long-term Maintenance
Continue wearing retainers at night indefinitely. Many orthodontists recommend lifelong night-time wear to maintain your results, as teeth can shift at any age.
Caring for Your Retainers
Removable Retainers
- • Clean daily with soft toothbrush and mild soap
- • Use retainer cleaning tablets weekly
- • Consider using a Dental Pod for deep cleaning
- • Store in protective case when not wearing
- • Avoid hot water (can warp plastic)
- • Don't wrap in tissues (can be thrown away)
- • Keep away from pets
Fixed Retainers
- • Maintain excellent oral hygiene
- • Use interdental brushes around wire
- • Floss carefully with special floss threaders
- • Regular professional cleanings
- • Avoid hard/sticky foods that could break wire
- • Report any loose or broken wires immediately
How Much Do Retainers Cost?
Retainer costs vary depending on the type and your location. Here's a general guide to UK prices:
NHS Treatment
- • Retainers: £27.40 (Band 1)
- • Part of orthodontic treatment
- • Includes initial fitting
- • May have waiting lists
Private Treatment
- • Clear retainers: £200-£400
- • Hawley retainers: £150-£300
- • Fixed retainers: £200-£400
- • Replacement retainers: £100-£300
Frequently Asked Questions
What are dental retainers?
Dental retainers are custom-made devices worn after orthodontic treatment to hold teeth in their new positions while bone and gums stabilise. They prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions and protect your orthodontic results.
How long do I need to wear retainers?
Most people need to wear retainers full-time for the first 3-6 months after orthodontic treatment, then gradually reduce to night-time only. Many orthodontists recommend wearing retainers at night indefinitely to maintain results.
What types of retainers are available?
There are three main types: removable clear retainers (like Essix), removable wire retainers (Hawley retainers), and fixed/bonded retainers (permanent wire behind teeth). Each has different advantages for different situations.
How do I care for my retainers?
Clean removable retainers daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or retainer cleaning tablets. Consider using a Dental Pod for deep cleaning. Store them in their case when not wearing. For fixed retainers, maintain excellent oral hygiene and use interdental brushes to clean around the wire.
What happens if I don't wear my retainers?
Without retainers, teeth can gradually shift back toward their original positions, undoing the results of your orthodontic treatment. This is why consistent retainer wear is crucial for maintaining your new smile.
Can I eat with my retainers in?
For removable retainers, you should remove them when eating to prevent damage and maintain hygiene. Fixed retainers allow normal eating, but avoid very hard or sticky foods that could break the wire.
How often do I need to replace my retainers?
Removable retainers typically last 2-5 years with proper care, but may need replacement if they become damaged or no longer fit properly. Fixed retainers can last many years but may need repair if the wire breaks or becomes loose.
Should I rely only on removable retainers?
No, removable retainers should not be relied upon alone. Many orthodontists recommend combining removable retainers with fixed retainers for optimal protection. Fixed retainers provide continuous retention even when you forget to wear your removable retainer, ensuring your teeth stay in position 24/7.
Related Treatments
Need Retainers or Orthodontic Treatment?
Start by finding a trusted orthodontist or dentist near you. Use our homepage search to check availability.
Find a dentistWritten by Dr Tristan Tinn (Founder and Clinical Director of HelpDental)
Last updated: 27 January 2025