Retention is the final step of orthodontic treatment — and the longest step too. When your orthodontic treatment first concludes, you’ll need to wear a retainer full-time before switching to overnight wear; which you’ll continue indefinitely.
Traditionally, this “indefinite” step of orthodontia was expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to maintain. But in the era of convenience, companies can deliver practically anything to your doorstep — and retainers are no exception.
Online retainers retailers provide affordable, convenient alternatives to traditional in-office options. That said, it can be overwhelming to sift through all the options to find which company is best for your needs. But don’t worry; that’s why we’re here. We’ll cut through the noise and showcase the best online retainer brands, so you can focus on finding the right fit for you.
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What Types of Retainers Can I Buy Online?
There are two types of retainers available through online retailers: plastic and Hawley. Both options are removable.
Plastic retainers are clear trays; similar in appearance to clear aligners like Invisalign or SmileDirectClub — just with a completely different purpose. Hawley retainers are probably what comes to mind when you picture a retainer — a metal wire that sits across the front of your teeth and wraps around to meet an acrylic plate. This plate sits on either the roof of your mouth or your lower arch.
The only type of retainer you can’t purchase online is a permanent retainer. This option is a small wire glued behind the teeth, so it requires an in-person appointment with an orthodontist.
How Does The Process Work?
To craft your personalized trays, online retainer retailers need to see your smile. Since these companies operate remotely, you’ll need to purchase an impression kit. These kits come with everything you need to take clear molds of your smile: putty, trays, step-by-step instructions, and a cheek retractor.
Online retainer retailers go to great lengths to demystify the impression process — many even feature instructional videos on their websites. There’s plenty of helpful information out there, so even if your specific provider doesn’t have video instructions, we recommend finding an online tutorial on YouTube.
Understandably, most people aren’t experienced in the highly specific field of impression-making, but taking the time to get an accurate impression could save you from potential hassles down the line. Some providers sell extra putty, which you might want to purchase, just to be safe.
Once the provider receives your completed impression kit, they can manufacture your custom retainers, and you can typically expect them to arrive on your doorstep in a matter of weeks.
Best Online Retainer Brands
It’s clear you can save time and money by buying aftercare retainers online. But which retailer best suits your needs? We’ve got you covered. We’ve reviewed and ranked the top four best online retainer brands.
#1: Retainers Direct | Best Overall Value
Retainers Direct joined the teledentistry scene in 2020. The company was founded by an orthodontist who wanted to deliver affordable retainers, since he’d witnessed firsthand how much extra doctors charged for them. Despite being a small, family-run business, Retainers Direct has made over 10,000 retainers, boasts a faster turnaround time than most of their competitors, and provides excellent customer support. That’s why Retainers Direct is our #1 recommended online retainer brand.
Retainers Direct Advantages
- Despite being relatively new to the industry, Retainers Direct has more third-party reviews than most of their competitors — and most of them are glowing.
- Retainers Direct crafts their products from Zendura plastic, the same material that Invisalign once used. It’s a high-quality, slightly flexible plastic.
- Retainers Direct offers a three-year membership program. Here’s how it works: Retainers Direct will convert your completed impressions into a 3D model. Anytime you need another set of retainers, you can simply send them your model (instead of purchasing another impression kit). Best of all, each set of replacement retainers is just $49.99.
- Their online reviews are full of customers praising their quick turnaround times, while some competitors struggle to meet their promised production times.
- Retainers Direct has excellent customer support. They respond quickly to their online contact form and offer detailed, helpful responses.
Retainers Direct Drawbacks
- Retainers Direct’s website doesn’t offer as much detailed information as some of their competitors. That said, their small team can fill in the blanks if you reach out with questions.
#2: Sporting Smiles | Most Established
Sporting Smiles got their start in 2009, and they’ve served over one million customers since. Teledentistry is still a pretty new industry, so a track record like this can carry significant weight. Sporting Smiles’ website is packed full of information, and their customer support team offers quick responses to any question you might have.
Sporting Smiles Advantages
- Sporting Smiles offers retainers made from two different plastics: Essix and Essix Plus. The primary difference between these two options is durability. Essix Plus can withstand more wear and tear, so it could be a good fit for someone who grinds their teeth at night or clenches their jaw.
- Sporting Smiles recognizes that the impression process can be difficult, and they offer extra putty for free if you end up needing it. This generosity can help a potentially frustrating process feel more manageable.
- Sporting Smiles offers a 30-day “Perfect Fit” guarantee. If there is an issue with your retainer, the company will either make you a brand new one, or issue a full refund.
- If you reorder retainers from Sporting Smiles, you can receive up to 35% off.
- Sporting Smiles stores your impressions data for a year. So if you reorder within that time, you won’t need to complete another impression kit.
Sporting Smiles Drawbacks
- Judging by their reviews, the ten-day turnaround they advertise on their website isn’t always accurate. Some customers report many weeks of waiting, which can be stressful when you’re trying to keep your smile from shifting.
#3: Dental Lab Direct | Best Selection
As their name suggests, Dental Lab Direct began as a commercial dental laboratory. However, in 2020, they pivoted from supplying dental practices to selling their products directly to consumers.
Though they’re newer to retail, Dental Lab Direct has been making quality products for over 25 years, and they’re known for their versatility. Among our top providers, they’re the only company that sells both Hawley and plastic retainers, which gives Dental Lab Direct’s customers the flexibility to choose the retainer that makes the most sense for them.
Dental Lab Direct Advantages
- Dental Lab Direct offers both plastic and Hawley retainers, and they always have a dental technician on staff to help you decide which one is best for your particular needs.
- Hawley retainers can last 5–10 years. So if you’re looking for a durable option that doesn’t require an in-office appointment, Dental Lab Direct has you covered.
- Dental Lab Direct makes their retainers more accessible by offering fee-free financing. If you can’t swing the full sticker price in one go, you can opt to divide the cost across three payments.
- Dental Lab Direct has a 60 Day return policy on your retainers. If you’re unhappy with the fit or function of your retainer, Dental Lab Direct will make it right, whether it’s through an adjustment, remake, or a partial refund (65%). This coverage starts on the date of purchase, not the day the retainers arrive.
Dental Lab Direct Drawbacks
- At $119–$228 for plastic retainers, and $249–$478 for Hawley retainers, Dental Lab Direct is more costly than some of their competitors.
- Dental Lab Direct has very few third-party reviews, and most of the ones they do have are for their other products like dentures or nightguards. This makes it difficult to get a comprehensive view of the customer experience.
#4: Clear Retain | Most Purchase Protection
ClearRetain has been in business since 2014, and has made a name for themselves due to their durable night guard retainers, flexible financing, and simple reordering process. All things considered, ClearRetain is a well-rounded provider that puts their customers first.
ClearRetain Advantages
- ClearRetain has generous policies in place to ensure your retainers fit perfectly. If your retainers break within 60 days of their arrival, ClearRetain will either issue a full refund (minus shipping), or a free replacement.
- ClearRetain includes small, medium, and large trays in your impression kit so you can choose the most comfortable fit.
- ClearRetain offers a thicker, more durable Night Guard retainer option. People who grind their teeth overnight often go through retainers more quickly than others, but this stronger option could be a way to prevent that.
- Though it varies from person to person, ClearRetain says their retainers last 1–2 years.
- ClearRetain partners with Affirm to offer payment plans on their retainers. Pending a credit check, you can break the cost of your retainer into low monthly payments.
- ClearRetain offers a “File Your Smile” option, which means they’ll keep a scan of your impressions on file for when you need replacement retainers. If you opt into File Your Smile ($20 for both arches) and you accidentally break or lose a retainer, ClearRetain can send you another set in just three business days.
ClearRetain Drawbacks
- We haven’t been able to find many third-party reviews for ClearRetain, which would help us get a better sense of the overall customer experience.
Which Retainer Brand is Right for You?
We just threw quite a bit of information at you, so we understand if you haven’t decided yet. In our opinion, two online retainer retailers stand out from the crowd: Retainers Direct and Sporting Smiles.
Choose Retainers Direct if:
You want to work with a newcomer that’s taken the industry by storm with their affordable price tag, flexible membership program, and top-notch customer service.
Choose Sporting Smiles if:
You want to work with the most established online retainer retailer out there. Sporting Smiles has served over one million customers, so you’ll be in experienced hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do in-office retainers come with warranties and refunds?
Some dentist’s offices may offer free adjustments for fit issues, but it depends on their particular policies. Alternatively, most online retailers have clear policies for their warranties and refunds, so you know what coverage you’ll have if a problem arises.
Can I drink tea or coffee while wearing my aftercare retainers?
The only thing you can consume while wearing your aftercare retainers is water. Coffee and tea can stain your retainers and cause plaque buildup. When you want to consume anything besides water, simply remove your retainers, and brush your teeth and clean your retainers before putting them back.
What causes teeth to shift after treatment?
General wear and tear, chewing, aging, and pregnancy are a few common reasons that teeth can shift over time. Some of these causes are unpreventable, but the best defense against tooth shifts is frequent retainer usage.
How many hours a day should I wear my aftercare retainers?
The doctor in charge of your orthodontic treatment will give you specific guidelines for aftercare, but you’ll typically wear retainers full time for a few weeks after your treatment, followed by indefinite overnight wear.
I just finished clear aligner treatment with a remote company. Should I order my retainers from them, or consider another brand?
Many at-home aligner companies have guarantees that offer free aligners if your teeth ever shift after treatment. However, most of these guarantees stipulate that you must stay up to date on wearing and replacing your aftercare retainers; specifically their brand of aftercare retainers. So, if you’re interested in that coverage, then purchasing directly from your remote clear aligner provider is a safe bet.
Can I wear different retainers for each arch?
Yes! Plenty of orthodontists recommend using a permanent retainer on the bottom arch, and a plastic or Hawley retainer on the top one. It all comes down to your personal preferences.
Are retainers and clear aligners the same thing?
They might look similar, but their functions are essentially opposite. Clear aligners are a tool used to gradually shift teeth into alignment. Retainers work to keep teeth in their current alignment. You’ll use retainers after an orthodontic treatment like braces or clear aligners to protect the investment you made in your smile.
Will a filling affect the fit of a plastic retainer?
We recommend getting all cavities filled prior to getting fitted for a retainer. Sometimes a filling can change the shape of your tooth, which may present some fit issues with your retainers. In the worst-case scenario, you’d need to get a new retainer. Be sure to discuss this with your dentist and retainer provider.
Do online retainer brands keep my impression information indefinitely?
It depends on the company. For example, through their membership program, Retainers Direct will send you a 3D mold of your impression that you can mail back to them anytime you need a replacement. Sporting Smiles keeps your information for one year (with the option to reorder at a discounted rate). For $20, ClearRetain will “File Your Smile” indefinitely. Dental Lab Direct only keeps your information for one month, but you can reorder for a discounted price within that time.
How can I make my retainer last?
Make sure you keep your retainers in their case whenever you remove them, and stay on top of cleaning them. This prevents unwanted discoloration and buildup that can eventually lead to cracks and breakage. If you are prone to overnight teeth grinding, consider choosing a retainer that can withstand extra force — like Sporting Smiles’ Essix Plus, or the Night Guard Retainers from ClearRetain.
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