--- title: "Replacement Retainers: Types, Scan or Impression, Cost" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers description: "A replacement retainer is made from a digital scan or an impression and takes same day to five days. Essix £80–£150 per arch, fixed bonded £150–£350." updated: 2026-09-29T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- New Appliance Scan or Impression Cost Timescales # Replacement Retainers: How to Get a New One This page covers the appliance and the process of getting one: which retainer types can be remade, whether you need a new digital scan or a physical impression, what happens at the appointment, how long fabrication takes, what it costs and how to reorder from your original provider or a new practice. If your retainer has only just been lost or broken and you want to know what to do in the next 24 to 48 hours, start with our guide on what to do when a retainer is lost or broken. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Retainer Does Not Fit](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/retainer-does-not-fit) ## When replacement retainers are needed Replacement retainers may be needed if a removable retainer is lost, cracked, worn, warped, unhygienic, or no longer seats fully over the teeth. Signs that a removable retainer needs replacing: visible cracks or splits in the tray, an unpleasant odour that does not clear with cleaning, warping or distortion from heat (hot water, sunlight), a retainer that no longer sits fully and comfortably over all teeth, or simply age — most Essix retainers should be proactively replaced every 2–3 years even if they appear intact. ## Which retainer type can you replace with A replacement does not have to be like-for-like. Essix clear vacuum-formed trays are the usual default: quick to make, discreet, and the cheapest to replace, but they last only one to three years. A Hawley retainer, with an acrylic plate and a wire across the front teeth, is bulkier and more visible but lasts five to ten years and can be adjusted slightly. A fixed bonded wire can be placed instead of, or alongside, a removable retainer if you know you struggle with nightly wear. Vivera retainers, the Invisalign brand, are supplied in sets of three per arch from a single scan, which builds in spares. Many clinicians will suggest a fixed wire plus a removable tray over the top as the most robust combination when you are replacing after a loss. ## Digital scan or physical impression? Either can be used, and which you get depends on the practice rather than on your case. A digital intraoral scan takes a few minutes, is more comfortable than a tray of impression material, and can be emailed straight to a laboratory or printed in-house — and if the practice already holds a recent scan of you, a like-for-like replacement may need no new record at all. A physical alginate impression is still perfectly accurate for a retainer and is what many general dental practices use; it takes a couple of minutes of holding a tray in the mouth and cannot be reused later the way a stored digital file can. When you book, ask specifically whether they hold a scan on file, because that single question often decides whether you need an appointment at all. ## How long replacement retainers take Turnaround runs from the same day to about five working days. A practice with its own scanner and printer can sometimes scan and hand over a clear retainer within hours. Where work goes to an outside dental laboratory, allow three to five working days for an Essix tray and a little longer for a Hawley, which involves more lab work. Vivera sets are manufactured centrally and typically take one to two weeks. A fixed bonded wire is different again: it is placed at the appointment itself, so there is no fabrication wait, though the appointment is longer. Ask what you should wear in the meantime — an old retainer that still seats is usually better than going without. ## Why fit matters before ordering replacement A retainer that does not fit may mean the retainer has distorted — or that teeth have moved since it was made. These are different problems with different solutions. If the retainer has simply worn or warped, a new retainer made to the current tooth position is the right step. If teeth have moved, a new retainer will lock in the moved position rather than correct the drift. Before ordering replacement retainers, a clinician should assess whether the fit issue reflects appliance wear or tooth movement, and how significant any movement is. ## What affects replacement retainer cost Cost depends on retainer type (Essix clear, Hawley wire-and-acrylic, fixed bonded wire), whether new scans or impressions are needed, whether one or both arches need replacement, who fabricates them (in-house vs dental laboratory), and whether teeth have shifted and additional correction is needed before a new retainer can be made. Essix replacement retainers from a dental practice typically cost £80–£150 per arch in the UK, Hawley retainers £150–£250 per arch, and a Vivera set £300–£500 for three trays per arch. A fixed bonded wire costs £50–£150 to rebond where only one bonding point has failed, or £150–£350 per arch for a full replacement wire. If you are still inside the aftercare period of your original treatment contract, the first replacement may be free or discounted, so check the agreement before paying. ## How to get replacement retainers in the UK Contact your original treating provider first — they may hold digital scans on file that allow a replacement to be made without a new appointment. If your original provider is no longer accessible, most orthodontic practices and some general dental practices offer replacement retainer services. The clinician will take new digital scans or physical impressions of your current tooth position and fabricate replacement retainers to fit. Turnaround time is typically same day to 5 days from scan to delivery depending on whether they are made in-house or sent to a laboratory. ## Urgent or same-day retainer replacement Same-day retainer replacement is most likely when a practice has an in-house scanner and retainer fabrication workflow, and when your teeth have not moved significantly. If teeth have shifted, an urgent replacement may not be enough because a new retainer made to the shifted position will preserve that drift. Ask whether the practice can assess fit first, whether same-day collection is available, and whether temporary advice is needed while the new retainer is made. ## Fixed bonded retainer replacement Fixed retainers — thin wires bonded to the inner surface of the front teeth — require a different replacement process. If the wire has completely detached, it needs to be rebonded or replaced by a clinician. If only part of the bond has failed, a section of the wire may be re-cemented. A fully broken wire that cannot be repaired may need a new wire fabricated and placed. Check your fixed retainer for loose sections regularly by pressing gently against it with your tongue — any movement or 'give' means a bond has failed and the wire is no longer holding those teeth. ## What to do if teeth have moved before replacement retainers are made If teeth have drifted since your retainer was last worn, the degree of movement determines the next step. Minor movement (less than 1–2 mm, or a retainer that fits with only light pressure): your clinician may advise wearing the existing retainer consistently to reverse the drift, then making a new one when alignment is re-established. Moderate movement (retainer does not seat fully or causes pain): a short aligner course may be needed to correct the drift before a new retainer is made. Significant relapse: a full orthodontic review is required. ## Useful related pages [Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/retainers) [Fixed Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/fixed-retainers) [Lost or Broken Retainer: What to Do in the First 48 Hours](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/lost-or-broken-retainer) [How Much Do Retainers Cost in the UK?](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/retainer-cost-uk) [Fixed vs Removable Retainers](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/fixed-vs-removable-retainers) [Retainer Does Not Fit](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/retainer-does-not-fit) [Teeth Moved After Braces](https://virtualconsultant.online/problems/relapse-after-braces) Replacement retainer suitability depends on whether teeth have moved, retainer type, gum health, and clinical records. If a retainer no longer fits, do not force it. ### Compare next steps [Orthodontist Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [Clear Aligners Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [Invisalign Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/invisalign-provider-near-me) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Ready for a clearer starting point? Upload guided photos and receive an indication of likely treatment options and pricing before booking appointments. [Get an Online Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) ### Frequently Asked Questions Can I get a replacement retainer if my teeth moved? If movement is minor (light pressure to seat but no pain), a replacement made to the current position may re-align minor drift over time with consistent wear. If the retainer causes pain or clearly does not fit, stop wearing it and get a clinical assessment before ordering a replacement — the clinician needs to determine whether correction is needed before the new retainer is made. Should I force my retainer back in? Never force a retainer that will not seat properly. Forcing a tight or distorted retainer applies uncontrolled pressure to teeth, roots, and the supporting bone, and can cause soreness or damage rather than pulling drifted teeth back. A retainer that suddenly feels tight is telling you something: either the tray has warped, often from hot water or being left in sunlight or a hot car, or your teeth have moved since you last wore it consistently. Those are different problems with different fixes. Stop wearing it, keep the retainer safe so a clinician can inspect it, and book an assessment before trying again or ordering a replacement. How often do retainers need replacing? Essix (clear) removable retainers typically last 2–3 years with regular use before they wear, yellow, or distort enough to warrant replacement. Proactive replacement every 2–3 years — even when the retainer appears intact — is sensible to ensure consistent retention. Fixed bonded retainers can last many years but should be checked at dental check-ups for loose bonds. Can I order replacement retainers online without seeing a clinician? Some online services offer retainer replacement from postal impressions. This is only appropriate if teeth have not moved — a retainer made to a shifted position locks in the drift rather than correcting it. For best outcomes, a clinician should confirm the current tooth position before new retainers are fabricated. Can I get a same-day replacement retainer? Same-day replacement is possible, but only at practices with an intraoral scanner and their own retainer fabrication on site — and only if your teeth have not moved. Where retainers are sent out to a dental laboratory instead, turnaround typically runs up to about five days. If the old retainer no longer seats fully, that fit problem needs assessing first: a new retainer made to a drifted position simply preserves the drift rather than correcting it. When ringing round, ask three things — whether the practice scans and makes retainers in-house, whether it can assess fit the same day, and what you should do in the meantime. What is the cheapest way to get replacement retainers in the UK? Essix retainers made in-house by a practice from a digital scan are typically £80–£150 per arch. Laboratory-made retainers may cost slightly more (£100–£200). Some dental schools offer retainer services at reduced cost. The cheapest route is only appropriate if teeth have not shifted — cost should not be prioritised over getting the fit assessed first. Can I get a replacement retainer from a different provider? Yes. Any dentist or orthodontist can take a new scan or impression and make a replacement retainer, so you are not tied to the practice that carried out your braces or aligner treatment. Bringing your original treatment records or retainer details can speed things up. A replacement Essix retainer typically costs £80–£150 per arch, a Hawley retainer £150–£250 and a fixed retainer £150–£350. Do I need a new impression, or can they use a scan on file? If your original practice holds a digital scan taken within roughly the last six to twelve months, and your teeth have not moved since, a like-for-like replacement can often be made from that file without any appointment at all — which is both the cheapest and fastest route. Beyond that window, or at a practice that has never seen you, expect a new record: either a digital intraoral scan taking a few minutes, or an alginate impression, which is equally accurate for a retainer. Ring and ask whether they hold a scan before assuming you need to be seen. How long do replacement retainers last once fitted? Essix clear retainers typically last one to three years of nightly wear before the plastic thins, discolours or loses its grip, and replacing one proactively at that point is cheaper than dealing with a failure. Hawley retainers last five to ten years with care because the acrylic and wire are far more durable. Fixed bonded retainers can last ten to fifteen years or more, but individual bonding points fail without warning, so they should be checked at every routine dental appointment. Vivera trays are supplied in sets of three and each tray lasts roughly six to twelve months. Should I keep a spare retainer? Many clinicians recommend it, especially for removable retainers, because teeth can start to move within days if you are left without one. Ask whether your provider offers a discounted second retainer at fitting, as it is often cheaper then than as an urgent replacement later. Store the spare in its case, keep it away from heat and pets, and check it still fits every few months. 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. 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Upload guided photos and get a tailored recommendation for your teeth and bite. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Citation details Title Replacement Retainers: Types, Scan or Impression, Cost Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-09-29 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/treatments/replacement-retainers)