Getting retainers are great for your teeth as they are integral to completing the treatment for crooked or misaligned teeth, a condition also called malocclusion. Retainers ensure that the teeth do not take their crooked position after the dentist has corrected them with braces.
Getting retainers is the final step in completing the misaligned teeth correction process. However, whether a person should get retainers or not is highly debated. Some reasons include the discomfort from wearing them, proneness to oral bacterial infections, and the retainers cost.
However, retainers will never cause any sort of issue if you are cleaning them regularly. As far as the retainer price is concerned, it depends on the type of retainer you are going for.
We’ll take you through different fundamental aspects of retainers and highlight how much do retainers cost.
What are Retainers?
A typical orthodontic treatment is completed in three stages. There is the diagnosis, treatment, and retention. Retainers are an integral part of the retention, and they are required to sustain the treatment while preventing the teeth misalignment from recurring.
Retainers are a type of dental device used to preserve the teeth corrections administered for treatment of crooked teeth.
You will find different types of retainers, all of which have a specific purpose and set of pros and cons. As a result, the retainer cost will also vary. Retainers help sustain the corrected position of the teeth after removing the braces.
Wearing braces isn’t fun. So, once your braces are taken off, retainers take the job of ensuring that the teeth stay in place.
Stats show, 59% of Brits have not seen an NHS dentist in the last 24 months and one in three adults in the country suffers from tooth decay.
When it comes to retainers, another factor that may keep people away from dentists is the answer to how much do retainers cost?
On average, it can cost between £1500 to £2500 to get braces. But the teeth retainer cost is not as high as the mentioned. You can get teeth retainers from £100 to £500.
Why are Retainers used?
Retainers are used to hold your teeth in place. Depending on the condition, the dentist will prescribe from two types of retainers; Active and Passive Retainers.
Active retainers are used to treat minor malocclusion. With them, you won’t need braces, retainers will help correct the teeth position.
Passive retainers are required after the teeth correction with braces. They are required to retain the teeth in the right position obtained due to braces.
Types of Retainers and their cost
Depending on your requirements and budget, you can choose from three types of retainers.
- Permanent
- Flexible
Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers are attached or glued to the back of your teeth and connected to the front teeth with metal wires, also called lingual wires.
When and how to install the permanent retainers depends on the misalignment of the teeth. Note that only dentists must work with permanent retainers and you should not try to adjust them or take them off at your home.
The best part about these retainers is that they can last for life, provided you take good care of them. This also means that permanent retainers cost less than its counterparts in the long term.
| Pros | Cons |
| Do not require daily removal and installation. They are fixed. | Some level of irritation exists initially, especially if they are attached to the top of the back teeth. |
| Invisible from the outside bringing back your natural smile. | Hard and sticky food can stick to the metal wires. |
| Having permanent retainers does not affect your speech. | Flossing and cleaning require more time than usual. |
| Requires little maintenance and holds the teeth in place until they are aligned naturally. |
How much do permanent Retainers cost?
The initial permanent retainer cost is added with the braces and overall treatment. So, always ask your orthodontist about the same. Usually the cost to replace retainers ranges between £150 to £500.
Types of Plastic Flexible Retainers
Essix Retainer:
These are customised retainers built to fit into your mouth. They are relatively soft and smooth, so wearing them is super convenient. Essix retainers are also cost-effective, but they wear off easily and quickly than other types of plastic retainers.
Essix retainers may not be irritating or cause any difficulty whilst speaking, but they are more likely to undergo discolouration.
Getting these retainers means you need to be extra careful about how you use them, plus they need to be replaced.
Invisalign Vivera Retainer:
The Invisalign Vivera retainers are more or less similar to the Essix retainers but with an added advantage of long life and less maintenance.
They are built with a customised material that is relatively convenient and comfortable for your mouth. As the material used in these retainers is specific, they are also stronger.
If you are wondering about the clear retainers cost, it will be higher than the Essix and other plastic-based retainers.
How much do Invisalign and Essix Retainers cost?
The Essix retainers are pocket-friendly. You will only need to spend between £150 to £350 for one set. The Invisalign retainers are a little more due to their sturdy material and build.
Generally, you are looking to spend somewhere between £450 to £600 for one pair of Invisalign retainers.
When do I get Retainers after removing braces?
Depending on the severity of teeth misalignment, the process after braces is decided by the orthodontist. It is best to get retainers as soon as possible after removing the braces.
Ignoring getting the retainers is risky as your teeth can get misaligned again after removing the braces within a year.
So, it’s a retainer’s job to keep the teeth in the correct position. Hence, you must get in touch with your dentist right after removing the braces.
Also, once you have the retainers, you must wear them for at least 22 hours a day. While the permanent retainers cannot be removed easily at home, you can take off the others like Essix.
Which is the best type of Retainer?
As we have gone through the significant aspects of getting a retainer, including the retainer cost, let’s see which type is the best.
It will be safe to say that the permanent retainers are best and all for good reasons. For one, they can last for life, provided you are vigilant about their maintenance. This means you will only need to spend the money once. Plus, they are practically invisible.
On the contrary, the flexible retainers are visible if someone looks at them from a close distance because they are attached on the front side of the teeth.
Yes, there are issues with wearing the permanent retainers as sometimes the food can get stuck between the wires, alongwith the initial discomfort. But these issues can be resolved gradually. Once you become habitual, there won’t be any discomfort. Plus, regular cleaning will ensure that you do not get any bacterial infections.
Conclusion
Retainers are necessary to maintain the corrected teeth shape and position after removing the braces. In any case, do not stop wearing the retainers as there is a high risk of teeth returning to their original crooked position within a year.
Now that you know how much do retainers cost, along with a basic understanding of all types of retainers for your teeth. Given a choice to pick a kind of retainer, go for the type that is easy to maintain and involves less cost in the long run. For best results, consult your dentist and start with the recommended procedure.
FAQs
What’s the difference between braces and retainers?
Retainers come after braces. The former can be fixed or glued to the teeth, and they can be removed if required. On the other hand, Braces are fixed with metal wires, and they must not be removed until the treatment is complete.
Is it painful to get and wear retainers?
Initially, there is some pain. But it will wear off as you get accustomed to wearing retainers. However, they are not as painful and uncomfortable as metal braces.
Can retainers damage my teeth?
Retainers cannot directly damage your teeth as they are installed to help improve your teeth’s shape and structure. Having said that, not cleaning the retainers may lead to some bacterial infections, which can cause teeth damage.
Retainers smell! Is there a way to prevent this?
Retainers get exposed to all kinds of foods you eat and drink. This is why they need to be cleaned regularly; failure to do so means smelly retainers. If you don’t want to spend money frequently and increase the long-term retainer costs, make sure to clean them. Cleaning is the only way to prevent the smell.
What if I don’t wear retainers for a day or a week?
Not wearing the retainers for a day isn’t going to harm you much. But this should not become a habit. Regular absence of retainers from the teeth can lead the teeth to go back to the crooked position.