--- title: "Retainers UK 2026 | Types, Cost & How Long to Wear Them" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/retainers description: "Retainers hold teeth in place after braces or aligners and cost £80–£350 per arch in the UK. Compare fixed vs removable types and how long to wear them." updated: 2026-10-20 publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- # Everything you need to know about retainers Retainers hold your teeth in place after braces or aligners; without them, teeth tend to drift back. Most orthodontists advise wearing them at night for the long term. Privately, a removable Essix retainer typically costs £80–£150 per arch, a Hawley £150–£250 and a fixed (bonded) retainer £150–£350. [Get My Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Explore treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) • [Clear aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/aligners) • [Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/braces) • [Prices](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) • [Compare options](https://virtualconsultant.online/compare) Treatment ## Retainer Types Compare fixed (bonded), Essix, and Hawley retainers to understand which suits your case and lifestyle. [Compare Types](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainer-types-comparison-uk) Cost ### Retainer Cost Understand what retainers cost in the UK, what a good quote includes, and how to compare local options. [See Cost Factors](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainer-cost-uk) Planning #### After Treatment Understand what to expect from retainers at the end of orthodontic treatment and how to manage the retention phase. [Plan Retention](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainers-after-braces) Planning ##### How Long to Wear Find out how long you need to wear a retainer after orthodontic treatment and what drives the retention schedule. [Plan Retention](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainer-for-life-uk) Support ##### Retainer Replacement Understand what to do if your retainer is lost or broken and how much replacement typically costs. [Get Replacement Info](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers) ## Keep exploring Use these internal links to compare retainers with other treatment, cost, and location pages before requesting a quote. [Get My Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/retainers) [Retainer Types](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainer-types-comparison-uk) [Retainer Cost](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainer-cost-uk) [After Treatment](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainers-after-braces) [Retainer Replacement](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers) [Clear Aligners](https://virtualconsultant.online/aligners) [Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/braces) [Invisalign](https://virtualconsultant.online/invisalign) [Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Orthodontic Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Compare Options](https://virtualconsultant.online/compare) [Life With Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/life-with-braces) ### Frequently asked questions What is a dental retainer? A dental retainer is an appliance worn after orthodontic treatment to hold the teeth in their new position while the surrounding bone and gums settle. Retainers can be removable, like a clear plastic tray, or fixed, like a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth. Without retention, teeth naturally tend to shift back towards where they started, even years after braces or aligners. What types of retainers are available? The main types of retainer are fixed (bonded) retainers, which are thin wires glued behind the front teeth, and removable retainers. Removable options include Essix retainers, which are clear plastic trays, and Hawley retainers, which combine an acrylic plate with a metal wire. Many orthodontists use a fixed retainer and a removable retainer together for extra protection against relapse. How much do retainers cost in the UK? Retainers in the UK typically cost £80 to £150 per arch for a removable Essix retainer, £150 to £250 per arch for a Hawley retainer and £150 to £350 per arch for a fixed bonded retainer. Costs vary by provider and depend on whether retainers were included in your original treatment fee. Replacement retainers are almost always charged separately, so ask about them upfront. How long do I need to wear a retainer? Most UK orthodontists now recommend wearing retainers long-term, often indefinitely. Removable retainers are usually worn full-time for the first few months after treatment, then reduced to nights only. Teeth can move at any stage of life, so stopping retainer wear too soon is the most common reason for relapse. Your clinician will give you a retention plan to follow. Are retainers included in my brace treatment? Retainers are included in some orthodontic treatment fees and charged separately in others, so it is never safe to assume. Some practices include a first set of removable retainers, a fixed retainer or both, while others add them as a separate cost once treatment finishes. Replacement retainers are nearly always extra. Always ask what is covered before starting treatment. What is a fixed retainer? A fixed retainer, also called a bonded retainer, is a thin wire glued permanently to the back surface of the front teeth. It works around the clock without needing to be removed, which makes it a good choice for people who worry about remembering a removable retainer. It does need careful cleaning with floss threaders or interdental brushes and regular checks for loose bonds. Can I eat with my retainer in? Removable retainers should be taken out to eat and to drink anything other than plain water, because food can get trapped and sugary or hot drinks can damage the plastic. Keep the retainer in its case while eating. Fixed retainers stay in permanently, but it is still wise to avoid biting directly into very hard or sticky foods that could loosen the wire. What happens if I stop wearing my retainer? If you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will usually start shifting back towards their pre-treatment position, particularly in the first year after braces or aligners. Movement can also happen gradually many years later. Minor relapse can sometimes be corrected by restarting retainer wear, but more significant movement may need a short course of further orthodontic treatment. How do I clean a retainer? Clean removable retainers every day with a soft toothbrush and cool water or a dedicated retainer cleaning solution, and rinse them each time you take them out. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic, and do not use abrasive toothpaste. Fixed retainers need daily cleaning around the wire using a floss threader, super floss or small interdental brushes. Do I need a retainer after clear aligners? Yes. Retention is required after all forms of orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign and other clear aligners. Teeth moved by aligners are just as likely to relapse as teeth moved by braces. Many aligner providers supply a final retainer tray, but the long-term plan varies, so your clinician should explain the retention plan and any replacement costs before treatment starts. What is an Essix retainer? An Essix retainer is a clear, removable plastic retainer made from a mould or digital scan of your teeth, so it fits snugly over them. It is the most common retainer used in the UK after both braces and aligner treatment because it is nearly invisible and relatively inexpensive. It can wear or crack over time, so most people need a replacement every few years. What is a Hawley retainer? A Hawley retainer is a removable retainer made from an acrylic plate that sits against the roof of the mouth or behind the lower teeth, with a metal wire across the front teeth. It is more durable than an Essix retainer and can be adjusted by the orthodontist, but the wire makes it more visible and it can affect speech slightly at first. --- Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## How It Works ### Capture guided photos Use your phone or webcam to follow guided prompts and capture the right angles in around 5 minutes. [Photo guide](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) ### Clinician review and options An orthodontic team reviews your assessment and creates a digital quote with options like braces and clear aligners. [Explore treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) ### Accept when you’re ready Compare your options in your own time. If you accept, a coordinator contacts you to arrange next steps and get you started. [Understand costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) 100% online to start. No pressure. Move forward only when it feels right. Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. Explore [Get Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) [Browse Treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments) [Teeth Straightening](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/teeth-straightening) [Browse Problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems) [Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) [Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [NHS Eligibility Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/do-i-qualify-for-nhs-treatment) [IOTN Score Checker](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/iotn-score-checker) [How To Take Orthodontic Photos](https://virtualconsultant.online/about/process/how-to-take-orthodontic-photos) [Online Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/online-orthodontist-uk) [Research Papers](https://virtualconsultant.online/research) [Social Channels](https://virtualconsultant.online/social) ## Ready to get your quote? Upload your photos and get clinician-reviewed options for braces or clear aligners. [Start My Free Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Prefer to learn first? Explore [treatments](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments), [problems](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems), and [costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs). Citation details Title Retainers UK 2026 | Types, Cost & How Long to Wear Them Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2026-06-16 Updated 2026-09-19 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/retainers](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/retainers)