Retainers in Craibstone at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Mastrick Smile Care, Aberdeen — 3 miles; 4 within 10 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice with emergency care | None within 30 miles on our register |
| Nearest practice open evenings or weekends | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill — 3.7 miles; 3 within 10 miles |
| Practices on our register | 43 within 5 miles, 67 within 10, 78 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Large Urban Areas |
| Deprivation | Around the Scotland average |
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 Craibstone listing retainers
On our practice register: 43 practices within 5 miles of Craibstone, 67 practices within 10 and 78 practices within 20. The closest is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, 1.6 miles north-east. The nearest listing retainers is Mastrick Smile Care, 3.0 miles south-east.
| Practice | Distance | Retainers | Emergency care | Evenings or weekends | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 3.0 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (213 reviews) |
| Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist AberdeenDyce | 3.3 miles east | ✓ | – | – | 4.8 (191 reviews) |
| Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie OrthodonticsWesthill | 3.7 miles south-west | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.1 (41 reviews) |
| Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in AberdeenAberdeen | 4.6 miles south-east | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.7 (288 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craibstone with practices listing retainers
The closest town with practices listing retainers is Aberdeen, 3.0 miles south-east; the next are Dyce (3.3 miles east) and Westhill (3.7 miles south-west).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Craibstone
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Mastrick Smile Care in Aberdeen (4.9 from 213 reviews), 3.0 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 4.9 (213 reviews) | 3.0 miles south-east |
| Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist AberdeenDyce | 4.8 (191 reviews) | 3.3 miles east |
| Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in AberdeenAberdeen | 4.7 (288 reviews) | 4.6 miles south-east |
| Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie OrthodonticsWesthill | 4.1 (41 reviews) | 3.7 miles south-west |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Craibstone
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Mastrick Smile Care, Aberdeen (3 miles) | Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen (3.3 miles); Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics (3.7 miles) | 4 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (3.7 miles) | Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in Aberdeen (4.6 miles); Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (4.6 miles) | 3 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Andrew Scott Dental Care, Aberdeen (4.4 miles) | Old Town Dental Care - Invisalign, Dentist in Aberdeen (4.6 miles); Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (4.6 miles) | 3 |
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.
Retention is a lifelong commitment, not a short-term measure many patients expect. Without them, teeth start drifting back towards their old positions within weeks of finishing. Practices across Craibstone usually supply both a fixed wire and a removable tray for belt-and-braces protection.
The Retainer Wear Schedule
Guidance has shifted in recent years: removable retainers are now recommended indefinitely — full-time for the first 3–6 months, then nights only, then several nights a week for life. The old 'stop after two years' advice caused many relapses.
A bonded wire simply stays put, quietly doing its job without any effort from you, which is why it's the most dependable form of retention.
A retainer that no longer seats is a warning sign — get it checked promptly. Catching movement early usually means a fresh retainer, not a full course of retreatment.
Types of Retainer Available in Craibstone
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 are clear thermoplastic trays much like aligners, removed for eating and cleaning. They're discreet and comfortable but can warp with heat and typically need replacing every 1–3 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 Craibstone now provide both a fixed wire for continuous protection and a removable Essix tray for overnight use, combining the strengths of each.
Retainer Services in Craibstone
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Craibstone. Classified by ONS as large Urban Areas, Craibstone sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. Craibstone has 42 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 91% of towns in Scotland. Craibstone's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. The nearest university dental hospital to Craibstone is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 4 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. See local practice availability in Craibstone → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) in Craibstone typically costs between £80 and £150, depending on case complexity. 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 Craibstone can usually provide replacement retainers.
After Your Braces Come Off in Craibstone
Post-treatment aftercare is arguably the most important phase of orthodontic treatment in Craibstone. The de-bond appointment, retainer fitting, whitening timing and retention habits all decide whether your result lasts. This guide covers everything that happens after active treatment ends.
Aftercare Services in Craibstone
Practices serving Craibstone differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. ONS classifies Craibstone as large Urban Areas. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian. With 42 orthodontic practices within five miles, Craibstone is better served than 91% of towns in Scotland. Craibstone's deprivation ranking is neither notably high nor low compared with Scotland as a whole. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Craibstone is Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen, about 4 miles away. They typically offer post-treatment services including retainer fitting, replacement, and professional whitening.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Craibstone
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craibstone?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craibstone is DYCE DENTAL PRACTICE, about 1.6 miles to the north-east. The next closest are NORTHFIELD DENTAL CENTRE (2.4 miles) and KINGSWELLS DENTAL PRACTICE (2.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craibstone?
Our register has 43 practices within 5 miles of Craibstone, 67 practices within 10 miles and 78 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Craibstone?
The nearest practice to Craibstone that lists retainers is Mastrick Smile Care in Aberdeen, about 3.0 miles to the south-east. Others nearby include Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen (3.3 miles) and Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics (3.7 miles).
What NHS area is Craibstone in for dental services?
Craibstone sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning.
Is Craibstone rural or urban?
ONS classifies Craibstone as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Craibstone compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craibstone is close to the Scotland average for deprivation. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Craibstone?
Nether Kirkton, Dyce, Kingswells are within easy reach of Craibstone.
Can I whiten my teeth while wearing retainers?
Clear Essix retainers can double as whitening trays with dentist-supplied gel, and removable retainers are simply taken out during in-chair whitening. A fixed bonded wire doesn't prevent whitening of the front teeth, though the gel won't reach directly behind it. Your dentist can advise the best approach.
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 Aberdeen City
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in Aberdeen City — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: