Retainers in Exwick at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Contemporary Dental, Exeter — under a mile; 5 within 10 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice with emergency care | None within 30 miles on our register |
| Nearest practice open evenings or weekends | Life Dental & Wellbeing, Exeter — under a mile; 4 within 10 miles |
| Residents under 16 | 15.5% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6% of 1,455 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Practices on our register | 14 within 5 miles, 15 within 10, 28 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Urban: Nearer to a major town or city |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of England |
| Households without a car | 19.5% in the surrounding census area (Census 2021) |
| Residents per square kilometre | 4,188 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 Exwick listing retainers
On our practice register: 14 practices within 5 miles of Exwick, 15 practices within 10 and 28 practices within 20. The closest is Contemporary Dental in Exeter, 0.6 miles east. The nearest listing retainers is Contemporary Dental, 0.6 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | Retainers | Emergency care | Evenings or weekends | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary DentalExeter | 0.6 miles east | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (353 reviews) |
| Exeter Orthodontic PracticeExeter | 0.7 miles east | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (202 reviews) |
| Life Dental & WellbeingExeter | 0.8 miles east | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.9 (561 reviews) |
| Inspired Dental CareExeter | 3.1 miles south-east | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.7 (219 reviews) |
| Dental House ExeterExeter | 3.1 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 5.0 (110 reviews) |
| Terrace Dental CareDawlish | 10.9 miles south | ✓ | – | – | 4.8 (166 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Exwick with practices listing retainers
The closest town with practices listing retainers is Exeter, 0.6 miles east; the next are Dawlish (10.9 miles south) and Cockington (17.5 miles south).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter | 5 | 0.6 miles east |
| Dawlish | 1 | 10.9 miles south |
| Cockington | 1 | 17.5 miles south |
| Paignton | 1 | 19.5 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Exwick
Of the practices within 20 miles with at least 10 Google reviews, the highest rated is Ocean Orthodontic Clinic in Cockington (5.0 from 534 reviews), 17.5 miles south.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Orthodontic ClinicCockington | 5.0 (534 reviews) | 17.5 miles south |
| Expert SmilePaignton | 5.0 (130 reviews) | 19.5 miles south |
| Dental House ExeterExeter | 5.0 (110 reviews) | 3.1 miles south-east |
| Life Dental & WellbeingExeter | 4.9 (561 reviews) | 0.8 miles east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Exwick
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Contemporary Dental, Exeter (under a mile) | Exeter Orthodontic Practice (under a mile); Life Dental & Wellbeing (under a mile) | 8 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | Life Dental & Wellbeing, Exeter (under a mile) | Inspired Dental Care (3.1 miles); Dental 397 (3.2 miles) | 9 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Contemporary Dental, Exeter (under a mile) | Inspired Dental Care (3.1 miles); Dental House Exeter (3.1 miles) | 7 |
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.
After braces or aligners, the bone and fibres around each tooth need time to settle. During the months of remodelling, retainers hold the teeth precisely where treatment left them. Orthodontists in Exwick typically fit them the same day braces come off.
Looking After Retainers in Exwick
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 Exwick can help, and catching a problem early is always far cheaper than dealing with relapse later.
Types of Retainer Available in Exwick
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 traditional acrylic-plate-and-wire design. They're more durable than Essix trays, adjustable if minor movement occurs, and can last many years — but they're more visible when worn.
Many orthodontists in Exwick 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 Exwick
How quickly you can be seen, and what's on offer, varies between the practices serving Exwick. ONS classifies Exwick as urban: Nearer to a major town or city. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Devon Integrated Care Board. Census data puts 15.5% of Exwick's population at under 16. In the census neighbourhood around Exwick, 6% of the 1,455 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 6.3% average across Devon, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. Measured by orthodontic practices within five miles (14), Exwick has more choice than 83% of towns in England. 22.6% of 5-year-olds across this ICB have visible dental decay, per OHID's most recent figures. Families in Exwick are served by secondary schools including Thomas Hall School (0.8 miles) and West Exe School (1.7 miles). 4 secondary schools are within three miles. By national deprivation ranking, Exwick sits among the less deprived areas of England. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Exwick is about 33 miles from Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth. See local practice availability in Exwick → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) costs in Exwick 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 Exwick can usually provide replacement retainers.
Life After Braces in Exwick
Finishing active treatment is the start of retention, not the finish line. The de-bond appointment, retainer fitting, whitening timing and retention habits all decide whether your result lasts. Understanding the aftercare process helps you make the most of your investment.
Ongoing Check-ups After Treatment
Routine 6-monthly dental check-ups remain important after orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will check fixed retainer integrity, gum health around bonded wires, removable retainer fit, and early signs of tooth movement. Contact your orthodontist promptly if: your removable retainer no longer fits easily, a fixed retainer wire appears to have moved, or you notice teeth changing position.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Exwick
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Exwick?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Exwick is Contemporary Dental in Exeter, about 0.6 miles to the east. The next closest are Exeter Orthodontic Practice (0.7 miles) and Life Dental & Wellbeing (0.8 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Exwick?
Our register has 14 practices within 5 miles of Exwick, 15 practices within 10 miles and 28 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Exwick?
The nearest practice to Exwick that lists retainers is Contemporary Dental in Exeter, about 0.6 miles to the east. Others nearby include Exeter Orthodontic Practice (0.7 miles) and Life Dental & Wellbeing (0.8 miles).
How deprived is Exwick compared with the rest of England?
By the national deprivation index, Exwick is less deprived than most of England. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
Is Exwick a family area?
Census data puts 15.5% of Exwick's population at under 16.
Which NHS body covers Exwick for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Exwick falls under NHS Devon Integrated Care Board.
Is Exwick rural or urban?
ONS classifies Exwick as urban: Nearer to a major town or city.
What happens if I stop wearing my retainer?
Teeth start drifting back without support — sometimes within weeks, sometimes over months. If a removable retainer stops fitting, don't force it back in; get it checked instead, since catching it early is far cheaper 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 Devon
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in Devon — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: