Retainers in Littlehempston at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Ocean Orthodontic Clinic, Cockington — 5.3 miles; 2 within 10 miles |
|---|---|
| Nearest practice with emergency care | None within 30 miles on our register |
| Nearest practice open evenings or weekends | GreenTree Dental Implant Clinic, Paignton — 5.1 miles; 6 within 10 miles |
| Residents under 16 | 15.6% (Census 2021) |
| Aged 10 to 15 locally | 6.6% of 2,174 residents, the main age band for NHS orthodontic treatment |
| Practices on our register | 3 within 5 miles, 16 within 10, 27 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city |
| Deprivation | Less deprived than most of England |
| Households without a car | 7.6% in the surrounding census area (Census 2021) |
| Residents per square kilometre | 70 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 Littlehempston listing retainers
On our practice register: 3 practices within 5 miles of Littlehempston, 16 practices within 10 and 27 practices within 20. The closest is Identiti UK | Orthodontic Laboratory and Training Courses in Totnes, 1.0 miles south. The nearest listing retainers is Ocean Orthodontic Clinic, 5.3 miles east.
| Practice | Distance | Retainers | Emergency care | Evenings or weekends | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Orthodontic ClinicCockington | 5.3 miles east | ✓ | – | ✓ | 5.0 (534 reviews) |
| Expert SmilePaignton | 5.4 miles east | ✓ | – | – | 5.0 (130 reviews) |
| Terrace Dental CareDawlish | 13.1 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | 4.8 (166 reviews) |
| Dental House ExeterExeter | 19.2 miles north-east | ✓ | – | – | 5.0 (110 reviews) |
| Inspired Dental CareExeter | 19.9 miles north-east | ✓ | – | ✓ | 4.7 (219 reviews) |
| Exeter Orthodontic PracticeExeter | 20.1 miles north | ✓ | – | – | 4.9 (202 reviews) |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Littlehempston with practices listing retainers
The closest town with practices listing retainers is Cockington, 5.3 miles east; the next are Paignton (5.4 miles east) and Dawlish (13.1 miles north-east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Cockington | 1 | 5.3 miles east |
| Paignton | 1 | 5.4 miles east |
| Dawlish | 1 | 13.1 miles north-east |
| Exeter | 4 | 19.2 miles north-east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Best-reviewed practices within 20 miles of Littlehempston
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), 5.3 miles east.
| Practice | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Orthodontic ClinicCockington | 5.0 (534 reviews) | 5.3 miles east |
| Expert SmilePaignton | 5.0 (130 reviews) | 5.4 miles east |
| Dental House ExeterExeter | 5.0 (110 reviews) | 19.2 miles north-east |
| Terrace Dental CareDawlish | 4.8 (166 reviews) | 13.1 miles north-east |
Ratings are each practice's public Google review average and say nothing about clinical quality. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Littlehempston
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Ocean Orthodontic Clinic, Cockington (5.3 miles) | Expert Smile (5.4 miles); Terrace Dental Care (13.1 miles) | 5 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | GreenTree Dental Implant Clinic, Paignton (5.1 miles) | Ocean Orthodontic Clinic (5.3 miles); Moor Dental & Implant Clinic (5.6 miles) | 10 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Ocean Orthodontic Clinic, Cockington (5.3 miles) | Terrace Dental Care (13.1 miles); Victoria Road Dental Practice Ltd (16.5 miles) | 5 |
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.
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. How diligently they're worn is what determines how long your Littlehempston treatment result lasts.
Retainer Services in Littlehempston
Appointment availability and the range of treatments on offer both vary practice to practice around Littlehempston. Officially, Littlehempston is categorised as smaller rural: Further from a major town or city. Littlehempston sits within NHS Devon Integrated Care Board for NHS dental commissioning. 15.6% of Littlehempston's residents are under 16, per the 2021 Census. In the census neighbourhood around Littlehempston, 6.6% of the 2,174 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 6.3% average across Devon, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. Littlehempston has 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, more than 52% of towns in England. OHID data for this ICB shows 22.6% of 5-year-olds with visible dental decay. Families in Littlehempston are served by secondary schools including King Edward VI Community College (1.1 miles) and Paignton Academy (4.4 miles). 1 secondary school is within three miles. Littlehempston's deprivation ranking places it in a less deprived band than most of England. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Littlehempston is Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth, about 19 miles away. See local practice availability in Littlehempston → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
As a guide, private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) in Littlehempston 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 Littlehempston can usually provide replacement retainers.
Retainer Replacement and Emergency Care in Littlehempston
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 Littlehempston can help, and catching a problem early is always far cheaper than dealing with relapse later.
Types of Retainer Available in Littlehempston
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 classic removable retainer: robust, adjustable, and long-lived, with the only real downside being that the front wire is visible when in.
Many orthodontists in Littlehempston now provide both a fixed wire for continuous protection and a removable Essix tray for overnight use, combining the strengths of each.
After Your Braces Come Off in Littlehempston
Post-treatment aftercare is arguably the most important phase of orthodontic treatment in Littlehempston. 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.
Aftercare Services in Littlehempston
Orthodontic practices in and around Littlehempston vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Officially, Littlehempston is categorised as smaller rural: Further from a major town or city. NHS dentistry here is commissioned by NHS Devon Integrated Care Board. Census figures show 15.6% of the local population is under 16. In the census neighbourhood around Littlehempston, 6.6% of the 2,174 residents are aged 10 to 15, close to the 6.3% average across Devon, the age band in which most NHS orthodontic treatment begins. With 3 orthodontic practices within five miles, Littlehempston is better served than 52% of towns in England. OHID's regional oral-health data records visible dental decay in 22.6% of local 5-year-olds. Families in Littlehempston are served by secondary schools including King Edward VI Community College (1.1 miles) and Paignton Academy (4.4 miles). 1 secondary school is within three miles. National deprivation data ranks Littlehempston among England's less deprived areas. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Littlehempston is Peninsula Dental School in Plymouth, about 19 miles away. They typically offer post-treatment services including retainer fitting, replacement, and professional whitening.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Littlehempston
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Littlehempston?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Littlehempston is Identiti UK | Orthodontic Laboratory and Training Courses in Totnes, about 1.0 miles to the south. The next closest are Dart Vale Dental & Implant Clinic (1.3 miles) and South Devon Dental (4.9 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Littlehempston?
Our register has 3 practices within 5 miles of Littlehempston, 16 practices within 10 miles and 27 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Littlehempston?
The nearest practice to Littlehempston that lists retainers is Ocean Orthodontic Clinic in Cockington, about 5.3 miles to the east. Others nearby include Expert Smile (5.4 miles) and Terrace Dental Care (13.1 miles).
What kind of area is Littlehempston?
ONS classifies Littlehempston as smaller rural: Further from a major town or city.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Littlehempston?
NHS dental commissioning in Littlehempston falls under NHS Devon Integrated Care Board.
What county is Littlehempston in?
Littlehempston is in Devon.
Is Littlehempston a family area?
Census data puts 15.6% of Littlehempston's population at under 16.
I lost my retainer — what should I do?
Contact an orthodontist as soon as possible to arrange a replacement. In the meantime, if you have an old retainer that still fits reasonably well, wear it to minimise movement. Most practices can make a new Essix retainer within a few days from a fresh scan or impression.
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: