Retainers in Kirktown of Bourtie at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill — 10.3 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice with emergency care | None within 30 miles on our register |
| Nearest practice open evenings or weekends | Blairdaff Dental, Bograxie — 7 miles |
| Practices on our register | 5 within 5 miles, 9 within 10, 79 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Accessible Rural |
| 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 Kirktown of Bourtie listing retainers
On our practice register: 5 practices within 5 miles of Kirktown of Bourtie, 9 practices within 10 and 79 practices within 20. The closest is GARIOCH DENTAL PRACTICE in Inverurie, 2.0 miles south-west. The nearest listing retainers is Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, 10.3 miles south.
| Practice | Distance | Retainers | Emergency care | Evenings or weekends | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie OrthodonticsWesthill | 10.3 miles south | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.1 (41 reviews) |
| Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist AberdeenDyce | 10.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.8 (191 reviews) |
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 11.8 miles south-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (213 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Kirktown of Bourtie with practices listing retainers
The closest town with practices listing retainers is Westhill, 10.3 miles south; the next are Dyce (10.8 miles south-east) and Aberdeen (11.8 miles south-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Westhill | 1 | 10.3 miles south |
| Dyce | 1 | 10.8 miles south-east |
| Aberdeen | 1 | 11.8 miles south-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Kirktown of Bourtie
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), 11.8 miles south-east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Mastrick Smile CareAberdeen | 4.9 (213 reviews) | 11.8 miles south-east |
| Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist AberdeenDyce | 4.8 (191 reviews) | 10.8 miles south-east |
| Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie OrthodonticsWesthill | 4.1 (41 reviews) | 10.3 miles south |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Kirktown of Bourtie
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics, Westhill (10.3 miles) | Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen (10.8 miles); Mastrick Smile Care (11.8 miles) | 3 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | Blairdaff Dental, Bograxie (7 miles) | Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics (10.3 miles); Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (12.3 miles) | 3 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Bridge of Don Dental & Aesthetic Clinic (12.3 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. Without them, teeth start drifting back towards their old positions within weeks of finishing. Orthodontists in Kirktown of Bourtie typically fit them the same day braces come off.
Retainer Services in Kirktown of Bourtie
What's available in Kirktown of Bourtie depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. Kirktown of Bourtie's ONS geography type is accessible Rural. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Grampian. With 5 orthodontic practices within five miles, Kirktown of Bourtie is better served than 71% of towns in Scotland. National deprivation data ranks Kirktown of Bourtie among Scotland's less deprived areas. The nearest university dental hospital to Kirktown of Bourtie is Aberdeen Dental School, Aberdeen, about 12 miles away, where hospital orthodontic referrals are seen. See local practice availability in Kirktown of Bourtie → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) in Kirktown of Bourtie 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 Kirktown of Bourtie can usually provide replacement retainers.
Looking After Retainers in Kirktown of Bourtie
Expect to replace an Essix retainer every couple of years; Hawley plates last far longer, and bonded wires longest of all. The one thing to watch with a fixed retainer is a wire quietly debonding from a tooth.
If you lose or break a retainer, contact an orthodontist in Kirktown of Bourtie promptly — most can make a replacement Essix within a few days from a scan. In the meantime, wear your old one if it still fits: even a damaged retainer beats none.
Types of Retainer Available in Kirktown of Bourtie
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 Kirktown of Bourtie now provide both a fixed wire for continuous protection and a removable Essix tray for overnight use, combining the strengths of each.
Orthodontic Aftercare in Kirktown of Bourtie
When braces come off or aligner treatment completes in Kirktown of Bourtie, protecting the result begins. The de-bond appointment, retainer fitting, whitening timing and retention habits all decide whether your result lasts. Below we walk through the de-bond, retainers, whitening timing and long-term check-ups.
Aftercare Services in Kirktown of Bourtie
What's available in Kirktown of Bourtie depends on the practice, so it's worth checking directly what each one offers. Classified by ONS as accessible Rural, Kirktown of Bourtie sits within NHS Grampian for NHS dental commissioning. Kirktown of Bourtie has 5 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 71% of towns in Scotland. Kirktown of Bourtie falls in a less deprived area than most of Scotland. For hospital-based orthodontic care, Kirktown of Bourtie is about 12 miles from Aberdeen Dental School in Aberdeen. They typically offer post-treatment services including retainer fitting, replacement, and professional whitening.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Kirktown of Bourtie
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Kirktown of Bourtie?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Kirktown of Bourtie is GARIOCH DENTAL PRACTICE in Inverurie, about 2.0 miles to the south-west. The next closest are INVERURIE DENTAL CARE (2.1 miles) and INVERURIE DENTAL PRACTICE (2.1 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Kirktown of Bourtie?
Our register has 5 practices within 5 miles of Kirktown of Bourtie, 9 practices within 10 miles and 79 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Kirktown of Bourtie?
The nearest practice to Kirktown of Bourtie that lists retainers is Abercrombie Smile Design and Abercrombie Orthodontics in Westhill, about 10.3 miles to the south. Others nearby include Old Machar Dental and Implant Centre | Invisalign and Emergency Dentist Aberdeen (10.8 miles) and Mastrick Smile Care (11.8 miles).
What NHS area is Kirktown of Bourtie in for dental services?
NHS dental commissioning in Kirktown of Bourtie falls under NHS Grampian.
Is Kirktown of Bourtie rural or urban?
By ONS classification, Kirktown of Bourtie falls under accessible Rural.
How deprived is Kirktown of Bourtie compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Kirktown of Bourtie is less deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Kirktown of Bourtie?
Balbithan, Oldmeldrum, Port Elphinstone are within easy reach of Kirktown of Bourtie.
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 Aberdeenshire
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in Aberdeenshire — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: