Retainers after braces: what are teeth retainers used for?

You’ve just finished your orthodontic treatment, and your doctor tells you that you now have to wear retainers to maintain the results. Maybe you feel nervous or unsure because it’s not clear what it's for and why they're necessary. In this article, we discuss the different options available on the market.

What does a retainer do?

Let’s start with the basics. This orthodontic device keeps your teeth straight after braces and ensure the correct position of your teeth are maintained.

Did you know?

Your teeth keep moving, even in adulthood, after wearing orthodontics. It’s said that teeth have memory because they can return to their initial position.

Orthodontics doesn’t end when you've finished aligner treatment. It is rarely talked about, but orthodontic retainers are the third and final stage of your treatment.

Types of retainers after braces

There are two different options for orthodontic retainers: removable and fixed types (or permanent retainers, as they're also known). Your orthodontist can advise you one way or the other, but in the end, it’s up to you to choose the device that suits you best.

Removable vs. Permanent Retainer

The fixed retainer, or permanent wire retainer, is placed behind the teeth, in the upper and lower arch, from canine to canine. The device is completely invisible from the outside.

Advantages of fixed retainers:

• They're ultra-thin and don’t cause pain or discomfort
• They make the retention process quite pleasant.
• Once the tongue is accustomed to the feel of the device, you won’t even notice it’s there.

What are the disadvantages of a fixed retainer?

• Because it’s attached to the back of the teeth, it makes flossing difficult.

• You have to adapt the way you brush your teeth to remove all the plaque around the wire.

• It’s important that you get a professional dental cleaning every 6 months or 1 year, depending on the case.

Advantages of removable retainers

Removable retainers, as their name implies, have the advantage of being removable - they can be taken out to eat and brush your teeth. They allow you to continue your dental hygiene routine without interruption. Also, the adaptation period is much faster, especially if you have previously used removable orthodontics.

Hawley retainers

The Hawley retainer is a removable retainer made up of hooks that are placed on the teeth and a wire arranged on the outside of the teeth. This dental retainer covers the entire palate, preventing bite alteration and unwanted tooth movement.

Removable clear retainers

This type of orthodontic retainer is gaining popularity due to its comfort and lack of visibility. You can easily take them out for cleaning, just like with some aligners, since these removable dental retainers are a type of splint similar to those used in invisible orthodontic treatments. Also, they rarely cause discomfort.

We get asked which is better, removable or permanent retainers, quite often. The answer isn't so straightforward, and the period of time differs for each case. To help you out, we've made a comparative overview in the table below.

Retention Phase

The retention phase begins as soon as your orthodontic treatment is finished. Fixed retainers are fitted the same day that the devices are removed.

In the case of removable and custom-made splints, the orthodontist has to perform a 3D scan so that the appliance fits your teeth perfectly. At Impress, we advise our patients to continue wearing their aligners until their retainers arrive.

How long do you have to wear a retainer?

All retainers should be worn every day, but as for how long you have to wear your retainer each day, there is no single answer. It depends on the type of dental retainer you choose:

• Fixed retainers after orthodontics, as their name suggests, are immovable, so the patient will wear them until advised otherwise by their orthodontic practitioner.
  
• As for removable retainers, they should be worn day and night, except when eating or brushing your teeth, for as long as your orthodontist indicates. Normally, after the adaptation period, they only need to be worn at night.
  

When can I stop wearing my retainer?

One of the most common questions among patients finishing their orthodontic treatment is: When can I stop wearing my retainer? Both in the case of fixed and removable types, their use is not temporary.

Dental retainers should be used throughout our entire lives, starting the moment orthodontic treatment ends. This is the only way to ensure that the results are maintained and that the teeth do not gradually return to their initial position.

The risks of not wearing retainers after braces or removable orthodontics

Many of the patients who come to our practice have the same problem after orthodontics in their adolescence. Due to not committing to the post-brace retention system, their teeth revert. This means patients usually have to start orthodontic treatment again to align their smile and avoid future health problems.

So, if you find yourself not wearing retainers after braces or any other orthodontic treatment, it’s likely that you’ll need another orthodontic treatment in the future, because your teeth will continue to move.

How to clean retainers

A lot of people wonder how to clean permanent or clear retainers, and the truth is, it’s pretty simple with the right tools! The important thing in both cases is daily oral health care and hygiene of the device itself. Fixed versions are cleaned when you brush your teeth. Extra items, such as a floss threader, can enhance your daily cleaning routine. On the other hand, removable devices need a little more care.

• It’s recommended that you wash them after removing them

• Rinse them with cold water and neutral soap before putting them back in

• Do not use toothpaste to clean them, as it can scratch the appliance and make it lose its transparency

• Washing the splints not only keeps them in good condition but also eliminates bad odours.

How much do removable and fixed retainers cost in the UK?

The price of dental retainers after braces varies depending on fixed or removable options. Other factors that can influence the cost are the materials, the clinic or the specialist you visit. Below, we show an estimate of prices for both permanent and removable as a guide:

• Cost of fixed retainers in the UK: between £100 - £400, approximately
• Cost of one set of clear or removable retainers in the UK: between £60 - £200 approximately
  

You should note that these prices only include a single device, so the price will increase if you need more than one.

Impress removable clear retainers 

Once you've finished your treatment, you need to visit the clinic to make a mould using 3D technology to produce your retainer. Initially, you will need to wear them day and night for as long as your orthodontist recommends. However, after this period, you’ll only need to wear them at night. We recommend that you change them regularly - approximately every 6 to 9 months.

Impress offers orthodontic devices that are suitable for and available to everyone, even if you haven’t done your orthodontic treatment with us - you can buy your custom retainer device from Impress. Get in touch with us, and we’ll answer all your questions!

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Updated: March 2025