Everything you need to know about retainers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.