Retainers after braces: wearing, cleaning and costs
Originally published
When your braces come off, retainers help keep your teeth in their new positions. Teeth can move again after treatment and continue to change with age, so retention is an ongoing part of orthodontic care.
Fixed and removable retainers
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the backs of selected teeth. A removable retainer can be a clear plastic appliance or a Hawley retainer, which combines plastic with a wire across the front teeth. Your orthodontist may recommend one type or a combination.
Retainers are designed to maintain the result of treatment, rather than carry out a new course of tooth straightening. A fixed wire is usually glued in place; cutting a groove in the enamel is not a routine requirement to describe to every patient.
The British Orthodontic Society explains the common retainer types. The choice depends on your teeth and treatment plan, as well as how you will look after the appliance.
How long will you need one?
Expect long-term retention, often for life if you want to maintain the alignment. A removable retainer may be worn full-time initially or just at night, depending on the instructions you receive. Do not stop after a few months simply because your teeth look straight.
Retainers need checking and may need repair or replacement. Contact your orthodontic team promptly if a wire comes loose, a retainer breaks or it no longer fits. Do not force an ill-fitting appliance onto your teeth or try to adjust the wire yourself. Keep attending your usual dental check-ups too.
The BOS advice on care after braces explains why both wear and maintenance matter. No retainer is a lifetime guarantee against every change in tooth position.
Keeping it clean
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean carefully between the teeth and around a fixed wire. Ask your dental team to show you how to reach these areas with suitable brushes or floss.
Clean a removable retainer using the method recommended for its material. Avoid hot water, which can distort plastic, and keep it in its protective case when out of your mouth. The Dorset County Hospital retainer guide gives practical cleaning advice; follow your own team’s instructions for your particular appliance.
Retainer fees
Our listed fees per arch include:
- Essix clear retainer: £120.
- Fixed retainer: £150.
- Hawley retainer: £200.
These are separate retainer items, not a quote for the whole course of orthodontic treatment. Options involving models, brace removal or other retainers have separate entries in our orthodontic fees. Ask what is included in your plan and what replacement or repair would cost.
Contact the practice with questions about your retainer or see the current finance information for payment options.