Retainers in Craiglockhart at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh — 1.4 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 | 114 within 5 miles, 151 within 10, 243 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Large Urban Areas |
| Deprivation | Less 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 Craiglockhart listing retainers
On our practice register: 114 practices within 5 miles of Craiglockhart, 151 practices within 10 and 243 practices within 20. The closest is CRAIGLOCKHART CLINIC in Colinton, 0.3 miles north-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRAIGLOCKHART CLINICColinton | 0.3 miles north-east | – | – | – | – |
| 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTHColinton | 1.0 miles south-east | – | – | – | – |
| HMP EDINBURGHColinton | 1.0 miles north-west | – | – | – | – |
| 21 BRIDGE ROADColinton | 1.1 miles south-west | – | – | – | – |
| 31 MORNINGSIDE DRIVEEdinburgh | 1.1 miles east | – | – | – | – |
| 51 SLATEFORD ROADEdinburgh | 1.1 miles north | – | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Craiglockhart with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Colinton, 0.3 miles north-east; the next are Edinburgh (1.1 miles east).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Craiglockhart
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh (1.4 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 (1.4 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.
Retention is a lifelong commitment, not a short-term measure many patients expect. Relapse begins quickly once active treatment stops, which is why retention never truly ends. Practices across Craiglockhart usually supply both a fixed wire and a removable tray for belt-and-braces protection.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Retainers?
The current standard is to keep wearing removable retainers indefinitely, tapering from full-time to nights only. Abandoning them after a couple of years — once routine advice — is now recognised as a leading cause of relapse.
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.
Retainer Services in Craiglockhart
Not every practice near Craiglockhart offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Craiglockhart — large Urban Areas by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Lothian for NHS dentistry. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (113), Craiglockhart has more choice than 96% of towns in Scotland. By national deprivation ranking, Craiglockhart sits among the less deprived areas of Scotland. The nearest university dental hospital to Craiglockhart is Dundee Dental Hospital, Dundee, about 39 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. See local practice availability in Craiglockhart → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
As a guide, private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) in Craiglockhart usually ranges from £80 to £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 Craiglockhart can usually provide replacement retainers.
Replacing and Maintaining Retainers in Craiglockhart
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 Craiglockhart can help, and catching a problem early is always far cheaper than dealing with relapse later.
After Your Braces Come Off in Craiglockhart
The end of active orthodontic treatment in Craiglockhart is a milestone — but not the end of the process. Many patients are surprised how much goes into keeping teeth exactly where treatment left them. Below we walk through the de-bond, retainers, whitening timing and long-term check-ups.
The De-bond Appointment
At de-bonding, brackets are removed using an instrument that gently fractures the adhesive bond, leaving enamel undamaged when performed correctly. Adhesive residue is polished off using a rotating buff — taking 10-20 minutes. You may notice mild sensitivity in the days after as enamel previously under brackets is exposed; this is temporary.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Craiglockhart
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Craiglockhart?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Craiglockhart is CRAIGLOCKHART CLINIC in Colinton, about 0.3 miles to the north-east. The next closest are 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTH (1.0 miles) and HMP EDINBURGH (1.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Craiglockhart?
Our register has 114 practices within 5 miles of Craiglockhart, 151 practices within 10 miles and 243 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Craiglockhart?
The nearest practice to Craiglockhart that lists retainers is Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd in Edinburgh, about 1.4 miles to the north-east.
What NHS area is Craiglockhart in for dental services?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Lothian.
Is Craiglockhart rural or urban?
ONS classifies Craiglockhart as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Craiglockhart compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Craiglockhart is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Which towns are close to Craiglockhart?
Nearby towns include Saughton, Roseburn, Colinton Mains.
What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?
Teeth begin to drift back toward their original positions without retainer support. The speed of drift varies — some patients see movement within weeks, others take months. If your removable retainer stops fitting, do not force it in. Contact your orthodontist for assessment — early intervention is far less costly than waiting.
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: