Retainers in Oxgangs at a Glance
| Nearest practice listing retainers | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh — 2 miles |
|---|---|
| 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 | 121 within 5 miles, 144 within 10, 239 within 20 |
| Area type (ONS) | Large Urban Areas |
| 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 Oxgangs listing retainers
On our practice register: 121 practices within 5 miles of Oxgangs, 144 practices within 10 and 239 practices within 20. The closest is 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTH in Colinton, 0.3 miles south-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTHColinton | 0.3 miles south-west | – | – | – | – |
| FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICEColinton | 0.8 miles south-east | – | – | – | – |
| 31 MORNINGSIDE DRIVEEdinburgh | 1.0 miles north | – | – | – | – |
| 27 COMISTON ROADEdinburgh | 1.1 miles north | – | – | – | – |
| CRAIGLOCKHART CLINICColinton | 1.2 miles north-west | – | – | – | – |
| EH10 DENTALEdinburgh | 1.2 miles north | – | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Oxgangs with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Colinton, 0.3 miles south-west; the next are Edinburgh (1.0 miles north) and Danderhall (2.1 miles east).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Colinton | 7 | 0.3 miles south-west |
| Edinburgh | 22 | 1.0 miles north |
| Danderhall | 1 | 2.1 miles east |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Oxgangs
| What you may need | Look for | Nearest listing it | Next nearest | Within 20 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers | retainers | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh (2 miles) | none other | 1 |
| Urgent repairs | emergency care | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| Visits outside working hours | evening or weekend opening | not mentioned nearby | none other | 0 |
| A fresh scan for a new retainer | digital scanning | Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd, Edinburgh (2 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. Relapse begins quickly once active treatment stops, which is why retention never truly ends. Orthodontists in Oxgangs typically fit them the same day braces come off.
Retainer Options in Oxgangs
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 Oxgangs 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 Oxgangs
Practices serving Oxgangs differ in what they offer, from brace type to appointment availability. Oxgangs is classified as large Urban Areas, and NHS dental commissioning here falls under NHS Lothian. With 120 orthodontic practices within five miles, Oxgangs is better served than 97% of towns in Scotland. Oxgangs falls in a more deprived area than most of Scotland, which can be relevant to NHS orthodontic eligibility. Complex cases can be referred to a hospital orthodontic department; the nearest university dental hospital to Oxgangs is Dundee Dental Hospital in Dundee, about 39 miles away. See local practice availability in Oxgangs → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Expect private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) costs in Oxgangs 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 Oxgangs can usually provide replacement retainers.
Retainer Replacement and Emergency Care in Oxgangs
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.
A fixed wire can debond without you noticing, so regular check-ups in Oxgangs matter — an unrepaired wire lets a tooth move independently and misalignment can appear within weeks.
After Your Braces Come Off in Oxgangs
Post-treatment aftercare is arguably the most important phase of orthodontic treatment in Oxgangs. 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.
The De-bond Appointment
At de-bonding, brackets are removed using an instrument that gently fractures the adhesive bond, leaving enamel undamaged when performed correctly. Adhesive residue is polished off using a rotating buff — taking 10-20 minutes. You may notice mild sensitivity in the days after as enamel previously under brackets is exposed; this is temporary.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Oxgangs
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Oxgangs?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Oxgangs is 302 OXGANGS ROAD NORTH in Colinton, about 0.3 miles to the south-west. The next closest are FAIRMILEHEAD DENTAL PRACTICE (0.8 miles) and 31 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE (1.0 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Oxgangs?
Our register has 121 practices within 5 miles of Oxgangs, 144 practices within 10 miles and 239 practices within 20 miles.
Where can I get a retainer near Oxgangs?
The nearest practice to Oxgangs that lists retainers is Ardmillan Orthodontics Ltd in Edinburgh, about 2.0 miles to the north.
Which NHS body covers Oxgangs for dental care?
Oxgangs sits within NHS Lothian for NHS dental commissioning.
What kind of area is Oxgangs?
ONS classifies Oxgangs as large Urban Areas.
How deprived is Oxgangs compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Oxgangs is more deprived than most of Scotland. It doesn't affect NHS orthodontic eligibility, which is decided on clinical need alone.
What towns are near Oxgangs?
Nearby towns include Comiston, Fairmilehead, Slateford.
Can I get retainers if my teeth have already shifted?
If teeth have shifted slightly, a new set of retainers made to your current tooth position will hold further movement. If the shift is significant, a short course of retreatment (aligners or braces) may be recommended first. An orthodontist assessment will determine the best approach.
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 City of Edinburgh
Explore retainers information for other towns and cities in City of Edinburgh — all with dedicated local pages and online assessment access: