Retainers
Keep your smile straight by wearing your retainers.
Brace taken off in the past 2 weeks and something is wrong with your retainer? Give us a ring on 028 3870 2623. Straight after treatment, teeth can shift very quickly, so we need to hear from you straight away.
Why retainers matter
Once a brace is removed, your teeth will try to drift back to where they started. The shape of your face and the bone around your teeth also change as you get older, so teeth shift naturally – roughly 1 to 2 mm every 10 to 20 years, and always for the worse.
Wearing your retainers stops this shifting. If you grind your teeth at night, it also helps protect them from wear.
To keep your teeth straight, retainers need to be worn for life. Stop wearing them and your teeth are likely to move.
The cost of not wearing them
If your teeth move and we did your original braces, it will cost the following for us to treat you again to straighten your teeth:
Otherwise, our standard private prices apply.
A second course of treatment is never paid for by the health service.
Removable retainers
Removable retainers (also known as Essix retainers) are thin, clear plastic covers made to fit snugly over your teeth. You may have an upper, a lower, or both.
Wearing your retainers
- Wear your retainers each night while you sleep – roughly 8 to 10 hours a night.
- Unless we tell you to, there is no need to wear them during the day.
- If you miss a night and your retainers feel tight, wear them for longer until they are comfortable again, and let us know.
The first few days
- They may feel tight. That is normal and means they are working. It normally settles after a few days.
- Speech: you may lisp slightly at first. This normally gets better within a few days.
Eating and drinking
- Because retainers are only worn at night, take them out in the morning. Do not eat with them in.
- Take them out when you drink. Drinks can collect under the retainer – hot drinks can warp the plastic, and sugary drinks can cause tooth decay.
Keeping them clean
- Brush your teeth before putting your retainers in at night.
- To clean your retainers, brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water.
- Do not use hot water – it can warp the plastic so they stop fitting.
Replacement retainers
Why you may need a replacement
- To keep your teeth straight, retainers must be worn for life.
- A lost, broken or worn-out retainer will need replacing.
How much does it cost?
| Replacement retainers | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 retainer (upper or lower) | £105 |
| 1 set (upper and lower) | £210 |
| 2 sets (multi-buy) | £380 (save £40) |
| 3 sets (multi-buy) | £510 (save £120) |
Spare retainers for £60 each (£120 for an upper and lower): just order and pay on the day your braces are removed. You save £45 per retainer compared with a standard replacement (£90 per set). The lab makes your spare alongside your main retainers, using the same scan, so it costs them less – and we pass the saving straight on to you.
Who checks your retainers?
Once brace treatment is finished, you are discharged back to your own dentist, who checks your retainers at your regular check-ups.
How to get a replacement
- Get in touch with us directly to book an appointment, or use our Lost or broken retainer form. These prices apply to a replacement retainer from us.
- Alternatively, your regular dentist may be able to make replacement retainers. The cost may vary.
Do not wait. If you lose or break a retainer, get a replacement as soon as you can – without one, your teeth can move quickly.
If your teeth move
- Once teeth move, a retainer may stop fitting. A new retainer will not move your teeth back to where they were, but it will stop them moving into an even worse position.
- You might then need further treatment to straighten them again (retreatment).
- If needed, you can book private retreatment with us. The health service does not cover this, so private fees will apply.
Save money
- Keep your retainers in their case any time they are out of your mouth. Never wrap them in a tissue or napkin – they are easily thrown away.
- Never use hot water – it can bend the plastic.
- Keep them away from pets (dogs love to chew retainers).
Problems and what to do
For any problem below: contact us or your regular dentist straight away. Teeth can move quickly. Bring your retainer to an appointment with us or your regular dentist so it can be checked.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Cracked retainer | Carry on wearing it unless a sharp edge is hurting your mouth. |
| Lost retainer | Contact us or your regular dentist straight away. Without a retainer, your teeth can move quickly. There will be a charge for a replacement retainer, either with us or with your regular dentist. |
| Worn, split or sharp retainer | If a retainer is worn through, split or has a sharp edge, it needs replacing. |
| Retainer does not fit | Usually this is because it has not been worn enough, or you have missed a few nights. Chewies (from our practice or online) can help it sit fully over your teeth. If it has not been worn in the past week, or it was not fitting well, we will need a new scan to make a replacement. A new retainer will not move your teeth back to where they were, but it will stop them getting worse. |
Long-term care
Once brace treatment is finished and you have your retainers, you are discharged back to your dentist, who will check them as part of your general dental appointments. Retainers do not last forever and may need replacing in time.
Download
Questions about your treatment?
Our team in Portadown is always happy to help. Ring us on 028 3870 2623 or drop us an email.