Retainers in Hurliness 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, 0 within 10, 8 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Remote Rural |
| 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 Hurliness listing retainers
On our practice register: None within 10 miles of Hurliness; 8 practices within 20. The closest is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, 12.9 miles north. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 12.9 miles north | – | – | – | – |
| BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTREThurso | 16.4 miles south-west | – | – | – | – |
| THE BALFOURKirkwall | 16.6 miles north-east | – | – | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALKirkwall | 17.0 miles north-east | – | – | – | – |
| ORMLIE HILL DENTAL CLINICThurso | 17.0 miles south-west | – | – | – | – |
| KIRKWALL DENTAL PRACTICEKirkwall | 17.1 miles north-east | – | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Hurliness with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Stromness, 12.9 miles north; the next are Thurso (16.4 miles south-west) and Kirkwall (16.6 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Stromness | 1 | 12.9 miles north |
| Thurso | 3 | 16.4 miles south-west |
| Kirkwall | 4 | 16.6 miles north-east |
| Wick | 2 | 22.8 miles south |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Hurliness
None of the 10 practices nearest Hurliness 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 ORKNEY DENTAL, Stromness, 12.9 miles away, and a call or its website will say what it offers.
Retainers are the final — and permanent — phase of any orthodontic treatment. Teeth are under constant biological pressure to move, and retainers are the only reliable counter. Any orthodontic practice in Hurliness can fit, replace or repair them if you need it.
Retainer Services in Hurliness
Not every practice near Hurliness offers the same treatments, so it's worth checking what each one covers. Hurliness — remote Rural by ONS classification — is covered by NHS Orkney for NHS dentistry. Hurliness has no orthodontic practice within five miles on our register, and the closest is roughly 13 miles away. National deprivation data ranks Hurliness among Scotland's more deprived areas. See local practice availability in Hurliness → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) costs in Hurliness 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 Hurliness can usually provide replacement retainers.
Types of Retainer Available in Hurliness
Fixed (bonded) retainers are thin wires bonded behind the front teeth — usually the lower six, sometimes the upper too. They're permanent, invisible from the front, and need no daily effort, though they require careful cleaning with floss threaders to keep the gum 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 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 Hurliness now provide both a fixed wire for continuous protection and a removable Essix tray for overnight use, combining the strengths of each.
How Long Is Retention?
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.
Because a fixed retainer removes the compliance question entirely, it's the surest safeguard against long-term drift.
If a removable retainer stops fitting after a gap in wear, don't force it — contact your orthodontist. A new retainer, or occasionally a short retreatment, is far cheaper than letting relapse set in.
After Your Braces Come Off in Hurliness
When braces come off or aligner treatment completes in Hurliness, protecting the result begins. Many patients are surprised how much goes into keeping teeth exactly where treatment left them. Understanding the aftercare process helps you make the most of your investment.
Ongoing Check-ups After Treatment
Regular 6-monthly dental check-ups don't stop mattering once treatment ends — your dentist will still check a fixed retainer wire is intact, the gum around it is healthy, a removable retainer still fits, and there's no early sign of teeth moving. Get in touch with your orthodontist promptly if a removable retainer stops fitting easily, a fixed wire looks like it's shifted, or you notice any change in tooth position.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Hurliness
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Hurliness?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Hurliness is ORKNEY DENTAL in Stromness, about 12.9 miles to the north. The next closest are BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE (16.4 miles) and THE BALFOUR (16.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Hurliness?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Hurliness, 0 practices within 10 miles and 8 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Stromness, 12.9 miles away.
Where can I get a retainer near Hurliness?
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 Hurliness for dental care?
NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Orkney.
What kind of area is Hurliness?
ONS classifies Hurliness as remote Rural.
How deprived is Hurliness compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Hurliness 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 Hurliness?
Nearby towns include Melsetter, South Walls, Little Ayre.
Can I get retainers without having had braces?
Retainers hold position, they don't move teeth — so they only help once alignment is already good. If your teeth are naturally straight and you just want to guard against age-related drift, a dentist can discuss whether one makes sense, but it won't fix existing crookedness.
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 Orkney Islands
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in Orkney Islands — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: