Retainers in Colinton Mains at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh — 2 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice with emergency care | None within 30 miles on our register |
| Nearest practice open evenings or weekends | None within 30 miles on our register |
| Practices on our register | 111 within 5 miles, 145 within 10, 239 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Large Urban Areas |
| Deprivation | More deprived than most of Scotland |
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 Colinton Mains listing retainers
On our practice register: 111 practices within 5 miles of Colinton Mains, 145 practices within 10 and 239 practices within 20. The closest is 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTH in Colinton, 0.2 miles south-east. Few practices near here list retainers in their published information, so this lists the nearest of any kind.
| Practice | Distance | Retainers | Emergency care | Evenings or weekends | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTHColinton | 0.2 miles south-east | – | – | – | – |
| CRAIGLOCKHART CLINICColinton | 1.0 miles north | – | – | – | – |
| 21 BRIDGE ROADColinton | 1.1 miles west | – | – | – | – |
| FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICEColinton | 1.1 miles south-east | – | – | – | – |
| 31 MORNINGSIDE DRIVEEdinburgh | 1.2 miles north-east | – | – | – | – |
| 27 COMISTON ROADEdinburgh | 1.3 miles north-east | – | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Colinton Mains with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Colinton, 0.2 miles south-east; the next are Edinburgh (1.2 miles north-east) and Currie (2.3 miles west).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Colinton | 8 | 0.2 miles south-east |
| Edinburgh | 21 | 1.2 miles north-east |
| Currie | 1 | 2.3 miles west |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Colinton Mains
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh (2 miles) | none other | 1 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh (2 miles) | none other | 1 |
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.
Retainers are the final — and permanent — phase of any orthodontic treatment. Relapse begins quickly once active treatment stops, which is why retention never truly ends. How diligently they're worn is what determines how long your Colinton Mains treatment result lasts.
Which Retainer Is Right for You in Colinton Mains?
Fixed (bonded) retainers are the set-and-forget option — a hidden wire fixed behind the incisors that never relies on you remembering to wear it. They do demand a bit more care at brushing time to avoid plaque around the wire.
Essix retainers are the transparent tray-style retainer worn over the teeth — nearly invisible and comfortable, though the plastic warps if exposed to heat and usually lasts one to three years.
Hawley retainers are the classic removable retainer: robust, adjustable, and long-lived, with the only real downside being that the front wire is visible when in.
Many orthodontists in Colinton Mains now provide both a fixed wire for continuous protection and a removable Essix tray for overnight use, combining the strengths of each.
Looking After Retainers in Colinton Mains
Essix retainers need replacing every one to three years on average — heat from dishwashers, hot drinks or a hot car warps the plastic. Clean them with a soft brush and cold water, never abrasive toothpaste, and use cleaning tablets occasionally.
Treat a lost or broken retainer as time-sensitive. Any orthodontic practice in Colinton Mains can help, and catching a problem early is always far cheaper than dealing with relapse later.
Retainer Services in Colinton Mains
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Colinton Mains. Colinton Mains is classified as large Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lothian. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (111), Colinton Mains has more choice than 96% of towns in Scotland. Colinton Mains's deprivation ranking places it in a more deprived band than most of Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Colinton Mains is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 39 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. See local practice availability in Colinton Mains → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Expect private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) costs in Colinton Mains to fall roughly 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 Colinton Mains can usually provide replacement retainers.
After Your Braces Come Off in Colinton Mains
When braces come off or aligner treatment completes in Colinton Mains, protecting the result begins. Many patients are surprised how much goes into keeping teeth exactly where treatment left them. This guide covers everything that happens after active treatment ends.
Teeth Whitening After Braces in Colinton Mains
Many patients want to whiten their teeth immediately after braces come off. Wait at least 4 weeks before starting whitening — enamel is temporarily more porous after de-bonding and needs time to remineralise. Professional whitening after this period produces excellent results on freshly straightened teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Colinton Mains
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Colinton Mains?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Colinton Mains is 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTH in Colinton, about 0.2 miles to the south-east. The next closest are CRAIGLOCKHART CLINIC (1.0 miles) and 21 BRIDGE ROAD (1.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Colinton Mains?
Our register has 111 practices within 5 miles of Colinton Mains, 145 practices within 10 miles and 239 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Colinton Mains?
The nearest practice to Colinton Mains that lists retainers is Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd in Edinburgh, about 2.0 miles to the north.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Colinton Mains?
Colinton Mains sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Colinton Mains?
By ONS classification, Colinton Mains falls under large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Colinton Mains compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Colinton Mains is more deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Colinton Mains?
Roseburn, Longstone, Fairmilehead are within easy reach of Colinton Mains.
Can I wear a retainer if I also have aligners?
If you completed aligner treatment, your final aligner tray can act as a temporary retainer while a permanent retainer is made. Your clinician may also supply Vivera retainers (made by Align Technology) which are designed specifically for post-Invisalign retention.
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 Edinburgh
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in City of Edinburgh — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: