Retainers in Black Friars at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Oakdale Dental, Leicester — under a mile; 14 within 10 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice with emergency care | Knighton Dental & Cosmetic Clinic, Leicester — 2 miles |
| Nearest practice open evenings or weekends | Oakdale Dental, Leicester — under a mile; 13 within 10 miles |
| Residents under 16 | 17.7% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 4% of 1,461 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Practices on our register | 26 within 5 miles, 41 within 10, 82 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Deprivation | Around the England average |
| Households without a car | 43.4% in the surrounding census area (Census 2021) |
| Residents per square kilometre | 1,280 in the surrounding census area (Census 2021) |
Sources: Census 2021 (NOMIS), DfE Get Information About Schools, ONS geography, UK NHS dental charge schedules and our orthodontic practice register. Distances are straight-line.
Practices near Black Friars listing retainers
On our practice register: 26 practices within 5 miles of Black Friars, 41 practices within 10 and 82 practices within 20. The closest is Aesthetic Smiles Dental Spa in Leicester, 0.5 miles west. The nearest listing retainers is Oakdale Dental, 0.7 miles south-west.
| Practice | Distance | Retainers | Emergency care | Evenings or weekends | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakdale DentalLeicester | 0.7 miles south-west | ✓ | – | ✓ | 5.0 (803 reviews) |
| Smiles by GurmsLeicester | 1.1 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.7 (141 reviews) |
| Winchester Avenue Dental SurgeryLeicester | 1.3 miles south-west | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.7 (981 reviews) |
| The Windsor Dental PracticeLeicester | 1.4 miles north-east | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.7 (261 reviews) |
| Carisbrooke Dental PracticeLeicester | 1.7 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (409 reviews) |
| St Johns Road Dental PracticeLeicester | 1.9 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (224 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Black Friars with practices listing retainers
The closest town with practices listing retainers is Leicester, 0.7 miles south-west; the next are Wigston Magna (3.4 miles south) and Evington (3.7 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester | 9 | 0.7 miles south-west |
| Wigston Magna | 2 | 3.4 miles south |
| Evington | 1 | 3.7 miles south-east |
| Blaby | 1 | 4.1 miles south |
| Quorndon | 1 | 6.7 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Black Friars
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Oakdale Dental in Leicester (5.0 from 803 reviews), 0.7 miles south-west.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Oakdale DentalLeicester | 5.0 (803 reviews) | 0.7 miles south-west |
| The Dental & Cosmetic ClinicBlaby | 5.0 (333 reviews) | 4.1 miles south |
| Lux Dental LoughboroughQuorndon | 5.0 (277 reviews) | 6.7 miles north |
| Smile Perfections Dental & Cosmetic ClinicEvington | 5.0 (243 reviews) | 3.7 miles south-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Black Friars
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Oakdale Dental, Leicester (under a mile) | Smiles by Gurms (1.1 miles); Winchester Avenue Dental Surgery (1.3 miles) | 14 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | Knighton Dental & Cosmetic Clinic, Leicester (2 miles) | none other | 1 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | Oakdale Dental, Leicester (under a mile) | Bright Smiles Dental Practice - Leicester (under a mile); The Dental Wellness Centre - Invisalign Leicester (1.2 miles) | 13 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Smiles by Gurms, Leicester (1.1 miles) | The Dental Wellness Centre - Invisalign Leicester (1.2 miles); Winchester Avenue Dental Surgery (1.3 miles) | 14 |
Built from what each practice's own published information mentions, so a missing entry means not mentioned, which does not mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
The result you paid for is only as durable as your commitment to retainers. Without them, teeth start drifting back towards their old positions within weeks of finishing. Any orthodontic practice in Black Friars can fit, replace or repair them if you need it.
How Long Is Retention?
Modern practice is lifelong retention for removable retainers — daily wear at first, easing to nights only long-term. Stopping entirely, even years later, remains the commonest cause of teeth drifting back.
Fixed bonded retainers stay in place permanently unless they break, needing no daily decision — which makes them the most reliable long-term method.
If a removable retainer stops fitting after a gap in wear, don't force it — contact your orthodontist. A new retainer, or occasionally a short retreatment, is far cheaper than letting relapse set in.
Retainer Services in Black Friars
Not every practice near Black Friars offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Black Friars's ONS geography type is urban: Nearer to a major town or city. NHS dental commissioning in Black Friars falls under NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board. Census data puts 17.7% of Black Friars's population at under 16. Most NHS orthodontic treatment begins between ages 10 and 15, and that band makes up 4% of the 1,461 residents in Black Friars's census neighbourhood, below the 7.5% average across City of Leicester. With 26 orthodontic practices within five miles, Black Friars is better served than 94% of towns in England. Regionally, 22% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay (OHID data). The closest secondary schools to Black Friars are Castle Mead Academy (0.4 miles) and Brook Mead Academy (0.9 miles). 17 secondary schools are within three miles. Black Friars's Local Authority area covers 132 schools and 62,040 pupils, according to DfE figures. By national deprivation ranking, Black Friars is roughly mid-table for England. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Black Friars is about 34 miles from Birmingham Dental Hospital in Birmingham. See local practice availability in Black Friars → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) costs in Black Friars generally sit between £80 and £150. Most practices can fabricate a replacement from a new scan or impression within a few working days. If you have moved away from your original treating practice, any orthodontic or dental practice in Black Friars can usually provide replacement retainers.
Types of Retainer Available in Black Friars
Fixed (bonded) retainers sit permanently behind the front teeth as a discreet bonded wire, holding the result with zero patient effort. The trade-off is cleaning: floss threaders or interdental brushes are needed to keep the area healthy.
Essix retainers look just like a clear aligner and are the most common removable choice after aligner treatment. Discreet and easy, but treat them gently with heat and expect a replacement every couple of years.
Hawley retainers use an acrylic plate with a wire across the front teeth. Sturdier and repairable, they last far longer than clear trays at the cost of being more noticeable.
Many orthodontists in Black Friars now provide both a fixed wire for continuous protection and a removable Essix tray for overnight use, combining the strengths of each.
Life After Braces in Black Friars
Finishing active treatment is the start of retention, not the finish line. Many patients are surprised how much goes into keeping teeth exactly where treatment left them. Getting aftercare right is what protects everything you've paid for.
The De-bond Appointment
De-bonding uses an instrument that carefully cracks the adhesive bond so brackets lift free without damaging the enamel underneath, then a rotating buff polishes off any leftover adhesive — the whole thing takes 10-20 minutes. Some mild sensitivity afterwards, as enamel that's been under a bracket meets air again, is normal and settles.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Black Friars
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Black Friars?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Black Friars is Aesthetic Smiles Dental Spa in Leicester, about 0.5 miles to the west. The next closest are 44 Dental Care (0.5 miles) and Oakdale Dental (0.7 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Black Friars?
Our register has 26 practices within 5 miles of Black Friars, 41 practices within 10 miles and 82 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Black Friars?
The nearest practice to Black Friars that lists retainers is Oakdale Dental in Leicester, about 0.7 miles to the south-west. Others nearby include Smiles by Gurms (1.1 miles) and Winchester Avenue Dental Surgery (1.3 miles).
Is tooth decay common among young children near Black Friars?
Regionally, 22% of 5-year-olds in this ICB have experience of visible dental decay, per OHID data.
How many pupils are in Black Friars's Local Authority?
DfE figures put 132 schools and 62,040 pupils across Black Friars's Local Authority.
How deprived is Black Friars compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Black Friars is close to the England average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Black Friars?
Spinney Hills, Aylestone Park, Clarendon Park are within easy reach of Black Friars.
Do fixed retainers cause tartar build-up?
It can, since a bonded wire makes flossing the lower front teeth harder — a floss threader or interdental brush daily, plus regular hygienist visits, keeps it under control. Most people manage fine once shown the technique.
Last updated: October 2026, compiled by the Virtual Consultant Online editorial team from our practice register and public data. Information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical advice; it is not reviewed by a clinician. Sources: NHS, General Dental Council. How we compile our information.
Retainers Across City of Leicester
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in City of Leicester — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: