Retainers in Faulds at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | None within 30 miles on our register |
|---|---|
| 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 | 0 within 5 miles, 5 within 10, 5 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Remote Rural |
| 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 Faulds listing retainers
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Faulds; 5 practices within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, 8.8 miles north-west. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTREThurso | 8.8 miles north-west | – | – | – | – |
| WICK DENTAL PRACTICEWick | 8.8 miles south-east | – | – | – | – |
| DUNBAR DENTAL CLINICThurso | 9.0 miles north-west | – | – | – | – |
| ORMLIE HILL DENTAL CLINICThurso | 9.2 miles north-west | – | – | – | – |
| THE BRIDGES DENTAL CLINICWick | 9.8 miles south-east | – | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Faulds with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Thurso, 8.8 miles north-west; the next are Wick (8.8 miles south-east).
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Faulds
None of the 5 practices nearest Faulds on our register mentions the treatments or services in its own published information, so this page cannot say which of them offers what. The nearest practice of any kind is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE, Thurso, 8.8 miles away, and a call or its website will say what it offers.
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. Orthodontists in Faulds typically fit them the same day braces come off.
Types of Retainer Available in Faulds
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 Faulds 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 Faulds
Provision in Faulds varies by practice — it's worth comparing more than one before committing. By ONS classification, Faulds falls under remote Rural. NHS dental commissioning in Faulds falls under NHS Highland. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Faulds; the nearest is about 9 miles away. Faulds sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. See local practice availability in Faulds → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Expect private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) costs in Faulds 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 Faulds can usually provide replacement retainers.
How Long Do You Need to Wear Retainers?
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.
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.
After Your Braces Come Off in Faulds
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. Below we walk through the de-bond, retainers, whitening timing and long-term check-ups.
Aftercare Services in Faulds
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Faulds. Classified by ONS as remote Rural, Faulds sits within NHS Highland for NHS dental commissioning. People in Faulds usually travel further for an orthodontist: the nearest on our register is about 9 miles away. Faulds sits close to the Scotland average for deprivation. They typically offer post-treatment services including retainer fitting, replacement, and professional whitening.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Faulds
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Faulds?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Faulds is BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE in Thurso, about 8.8 miles to the north-west. The next closest are WICK DENTAL PRACTICE (8.8 miles) and DUNBAR DENTAL CLINIC (9.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Faulds?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Faulds, 5 practices within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Thurso, 8.8 miles away.
Where can I get a retainer near Faulds?
None of the practices within 30 miles lists retainers in its published information. Most orthodontic practices supply them, so ask the nearest ones directly.
Which NHS body covers Faulds for dental care?
NHS dental commissioning in Faulds falls under NHS Highland.
What kind of area is Faulds?
By ONS classification, Faulds falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Faulds compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Faulds 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 Faulds?
Durran, Bowertower, Bowermadden are within easy reach of Faulds.
Do I always need a retainer after braces?
Yes — retainers are always needed after orthodontic treatment. Without them, teeth drift back toward their original positions. The speed of relapse varies between individuals, but no one is exempt from the need for 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 Highland
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in Highland — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: