Retainers in Slickly 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, 1 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 Slickly listing retainers
On our practice register: None within 5 miles of Slickly; 1 practice within 10 and 5 practices within 20. The closest is WICK DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.1 miles south. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WICK DENTAL PRACTICEWick | 9.1 miles south | – | – | – | – |
| THE BRIDGES DENTAL CLINICWick | 10.3 miles south | – | – | – | – |
| BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTREThurso | 11.6 miles west | – | – | – | – |
| ORMLIE HILL DENTAL CLINICThurso | 12.1 miles west | – | – | – | – |
| DUNBAR DENTAL CLINICThurso | 12.2 miles west | – | – | – | – |
| ORKNEY DENTALStromness | 26.8 miles north | – | – | – | – |
✓ listed in the practice's own information; – not mentioned, which doesn't mean not offered. Straight-line distances.
Nearest places to Slickly with orthodontic practices
The closest town with orthodontic practices is Wick, 9.1 miles south; the next are Thurso (11.6 miles west) and Stromness (26.8 miles north).
| Place | Practices | Nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Wick | 2 | 9.1 miles south |
| Thurso | 3 | 11.6 miles west |
| Stromness | 1 | 26.8 miles north |
| Kirkwall | 4 | 28.5 miles north |
Counted from the practices on our register around this place, nearest first. Straight-line distances.
Retainers near Slickly
None of the 10 practices nearest Slickly 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 WICK DENTAL PRACTICE, 9.1 miles away, and a call or its website will say what it offers.
Retainers are the final — and permanent — phase of any orthodontic treatment. Without them, teeth start drifting back towards their old positions within weeks of finishing. Any orthodontic practice in Slickly can fit, replace or repair them if you need it.
Replacing and Maintaining Retainers in Slickly
Removable Essix retainers typically last one to three years before wear, warping or cracking calls for replacement, at roughly £80–£150 per arch. Hawley retainers are tougher and can last five to ten years; fixed wires last for years but can debond from a single tooth.
A fixed wire can debond without you noticing, so regular check-ups in Slickly matter — an unrepaired wire lets a tooth move independently and misalignment can appear within weeks.
Which Retainer Is Right for You in Slickly?
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 Slickly 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 Slickly
Orthodontic practices in and around Slickly vary in the treatments and appointment types they offer. Slickly is classified as remote Rural. Slickly sits within NHS Highland for NHS dental commissioning. No orthodontic practice on our register is within five miles of Slickly; the nearest is about 9 miles away. National deprivation data puts Slickly close to the Scotland median. See local practice availability in Slickly → They typically offer retainer fitting, replacement, and emergency repair appointments.
Private replacement Essix retainers (per arch) in Slickly 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 Slickly can usually provide replacement retainers.
Life After Braces in Slickly
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. Understanding the aftercare process helps you make the most of your investment.
Ongoing Check-ups After Treatment
Routine 6-monthly dental check-ups remain important after orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will check fixed retainer integrity, gum health around bonded wires, removable retainer fit, and early signs of tooth movement. Contact your orthodontist promptly if: your removable retainer no longer fits easily, a fixed retainer wire appears to have moved, or you notice teeth changing position.
Frequently Asked Questions — Retainers in Slickly
Where is the nearest orthodontist to Slickly?
On our register, the nearest orthodontic practice to Slickly is WICK DENTAL PRACTICE, about 9.1 miles to the south. The next closest are THE BRIDGES DENTAL CLINIC (10.3 miles) and BRIDGEND HEALTH CARE CENTRE (11.6 miles).
How many orthodontic practices are near Slickly?
Our register has 0 practices within 5 miles of Slickly, 1 practice within 10 miles and 5 practices within 20 miles. None is inside 5 miles; the closest is in Wick, 9.1 miles away.
Where can I get a retainer near Slickly?
None of the practices within 30 miles lists retainers in its published information. Most orthodontic practices supply them, so ask the nearest ones directly.
Who commissions NHS dentistry in Slickly?
NHS dental commissioning in Slickly falls under NHS Highland.
What kind of area is Slickly?
By ONS classification, Slickly falls under remote Rural.
How deprived is Slickly compared with the rest of Scotland?
By the national deprivation index, Slickly 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 Slickly?
Nearby towns include Mireland, Howe, Lyth.
Can I wear a retainer if I also have aligners?
If you completed aligner treatment, your final aligner tray can act as a temporary retainer while a permanent retainer is made. Your clinician may also supply Vivera retainers (made by Align Technology) which are designed specifically for post-Invisalign 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: