What to Know Before You Get a Retainer

Overview

Retainers generally fall into two categories: removable and permanent. Your orthodontist will advise which option suits you best based on the reason you had braces and any unique dental concerns. Some people receive just one kind, while others may be fitted with a removable retainer for the upper arch and a permanent one for the lower arch.

A retainer’s role is to hold your teeth in place after they’ve been aligned with braces. It can take at least four to six months for the teeth to stabilize in their new positions. During this period, the teeth naturally try to drift back toward their prior arrangement, a process called relapse. Worn as directed, a retainer helps prevent that movement.

Below we’ll review the various kinds of permanent and removable retainers and help you weigh your choices.

Estimated costs and comparison chart for types of retainers

Other considerations for retainer costs

The price ranges shown are averages based on self-reported fees from orthodontists and patients. These figures don’t factor in dental insurance. Ask your orthodontist, general dentist, or insurer whether any portion of the cost is covered under your plan.

Location and the extent of required dental work are two of the largest determinants of price.

Orthodontic practices set their own fees, and in some cases the cost of retainers is included in the overall treatment fee for braces or other orthodontic care.

Be sure to ask about replacement or repair costs should your retainer become damaged or lost.

Removable retainers: Pros and cons

Benefits of removable retainers include:

• They can be taken out for eating and for brushing and flossing your teeth.
• They’re relatively straightforward and quick to obtain.

Drawbacks include:

• They may be misplaced or lost when not worn, especially if not stored in a case.
• They can be damaged if left out.
• They may stimulate excess saliva production.
• Bacteria can colonize them if not cleaned regularly.

The most frequent issue with removable retainers is relapse, often because users misplace them or fail to wear them as instructed. A retainer can’t do its job if it isn’t worn, allowing teeth to drift back.

Both styles of removable retainers require daily gentle brushing for cleaning; your orthodontist may also recommend periodic soaking. Learn more about cleaning retainers.

There are two main removable types: Hawley retainers and clear plastic retainers.

Hawley retainers

Sometimes called wire retainers, Hawleys are removable devices made of a thin metal wire combined with plastic or acrylic that fits the roof of your mouth or the inside surface of the lower teeth. The wire crosses the front teeth to preserve their alignment.

Advantages of the Hawley retainer include:

• The appliance can be adjusted for fit when it’s first delivered or if minor tooth movement is needed later.
• It’s generally more rugged than a clear plastic retainer.
• It can sometimes be repaired if it breaks.
• With proper care, it can last many years.
• With this design, the top and bottom teeth make natural contact.

Its disadvantages:

• It can affect speech more noticeably than other types.
• It’s more visible than clear alternatives.
• The wire may initially irritate lips or cheeks.

Average price commonly ranges from about $150 to $340.

Clear plastic retainers

Clear plastic retainers are removable trays precisely molded to the corrected position of your teeth. They’re also called molded retainers or thermoplastic (vacuum-formed) retainers.

To fabricate one, an impression or digital model of the teeth is taken, then a thin sheet of plastic or polyurethane is heated and formed over the model.

Advantages of clear plastic retainers:

• They’re nearly invisible, which can increase compliance and reduce relapse risk.
• They’re slimmer and often more comfortable than Hawley retainers.
• They tend to interfere less with speech than Hawleys.

Drawbacks of clear retainers:

• They cannot be adjusted for movement; a replacement is required if realignment is needed.
• If cracked, they generally can’t be repaired.
• They may influence speech more than permanent retainers.
• They can warp if exposed to heat.
• They can discolor over time, becoming more noticeable.
• With this design, upper and lower teeth may not contact naturally.
• They can trap liquids against teeth, potentially promoting cavities.

The primary differences among the common clear-retainer brands—Vivera, Essix, and Zendura—are the plastic formulations used.

Vivera is sometimes mistakenly called Invisalign because both products are manufactured by the same company; however, Invisalign is an aligner system used to straighten teeth, not a retainer.

Clear trays have grown in popularity and are now used more frequently than Hawley retainers.

Average cost for a single tray typically ranges from about $100 to $285.

Permanent retainers: Pros and cons

Permanent retainers use a solid or braided wire contoured to the front surfaces of your corrected teeth. The wire is bonded to the inside of the front teeth to prevent movement. Commonly applied to the lower front teeth, these fixed retainers are also known as lingual wire or bonded retainers. Only a dental professional can remove them.

Orthodontists often choose permanent retainers when relapse risk is high or if they doubt a patient—such as a young child—will reliably wear a removable device. Although some are removed later because of plaque buildup or gum irritation, most remain in place for many years or indefinitely.

Advantages of a permanent retainer:

• You don’t need to remember wear instructions—compliance is automatic.
• It’s hidden from view.
• It rarely affects speech.
• It can’t be misplaced or lost.
• It’s not easily damaged.

Disadvantages:

• Cleaning can be more difficult, especially flossing beneath the wire, which may allow plaque and tartar to accumulate and increase gum disease risk.
• Being bonded can be undesirable to some people.
• The metal may irritate the tongue in some cases.

Permanent retainers also require daily cleaning. A floss threader helps get dental floss under the wire to remove food particles, plaque, and tartar. Find guidance on how to clean your retainer.

Average cost is generally between $225 and $550.

Why a retainer?

Even after teeth appear permanently positioned, chewing forces, growth, and normal wear can cause relapse. For that reason, many orthodontists advise lifelong retainer use.

If your retainer is removable, following your orthodontist’s wear schedule exactly is crucial; otherwise you could lose the gains achieved with braces. One study found that common guidance is to wear the retainer full-time for one year after brace removal and then nightly indefinitely. Recommendations vary, so discuss your plan with your orthodontist.

After you receive a retainer, your orthodontist will schedule follow-ups to verify that it’s keeping your teeth stable. They may make adjustments, repair it, or order a replacement if necessary. Typical checkups occur at 1, 3, 6, 11, and 24 months after brace removal.

If your retainer is lost, cracked, or broken, contact your orthodontist promptly so a replacement can be made before your teeth relapse.

Bottom line

Each retainer type has advantages and trade-offs. Your orthodontist will recommend the most suitable option based on your dental needs and the reason for your braces. Also consider your preferences for appearance and how much time and care you’re willing to commit. You’ll likely be wearing and maintaining your retainer for many months or years, so choose one that fits your lifestyle and that you’ll actually use as directed. If you need information specifically about a permanent retainer, speak with your orthodontist to see if it’s the right long-term choice for you.