ClearRetain: The Right Choice For Your Aftercare?

ClearRetain at a Glance

ClearRetain got their start in 2014 among the first wave of online retainer companies. In that time, they’ve earned a reputation as an affordable and highly convenient provider. Retainer wear is an ongoing commitment, and ClearRetain has done their best to make this process as simple as possible.

Thanks to their easy reordering process, flexible financing, and generous satisfaction guarantee, they’re one of our top-rated online retainer providers.

How Does ClearRetain Work?

Before ClearRetain can craft your personalized retainers, they need to see your teeth, which means you need to purchase an at-home impression kit. This kit comes with everything you need to take a quality impression: trays of various sizes, putty, and step-by-step directions.

Remember that these impressions are the only thing ClearRetain references when they make your retainers. So if there’s a problem in the impression, there will probably be a problem with the retainer too. Investing time in making a quality impression will save you hassle down the line. ClearRetain tries to make this process as streamlined as possible, so they offer a detailed impression instructional video on their YouTube channel.

If you want as many chances as possible to make a great impression, you can purchase extra putty when you order your retainer. This option is risk free, since you can return any unused putty for a refund.

Email photos of your completed impression to ClearRetain and they’ll determine if you need to try again. If you get the go-ahead, you can mail your impressions back to the company and they’ll get started on your new retainer.

Pros and Cons of ClearRetain

ClearRetain is among our top-rated online retainer providers, but that doesn’t mean they’re an ideal match for everyone. Here are some of ClearRetain’s advantages and disadvantages.

Who Should Wear a Retainer?

We often hear people incorrectly use the terms “aligner” and “retainer” interchangeably. But even though these appliances look similar, they have completely different functions. Clear aligners are a form of orthodontic treatment and gradually shift your smile into alignment over time. Retainers, however, keep your smile in place after orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists usually recommend wearing an overnight retainer indefinitely after treatment, but some people eventually fall out of this habit. Whether you just finished your orthodontic treatment yesterday or two years ago, if you want to preserve your results or prevent further tooth movement, a retainer can help.

Selection

ClearRetain sells clear plastic retainers for either one or both arches. These retainers are made from a durable, BPA-free plastic called Invisacryl Ultra, and they’re one millimeter thick, which is pretty standard.

Beyond their retainer selection, they also offer night guards of varying firmness, whitening treatments, and partial dentures.

Like most of their online retainer competitors, ClearRetain only sells plastic retainers; not Hawley retainers. Hawley retainers are made of metal and acrylic, and though they’re much more visible than a clear retainer, they’re also longer lasting.

Affordability

Orthodontists suggest wearing retainers overnight indefinitely after orthodontic treatment. Since retainers are a permanent part of your lifestyle, and you’ll occasionally need to replace them, it’s important to find a company with prices that work within your budget.

Sticker Price

ClearRetain charges $99 for a single arch retainer and $169 for both arches. Among online retainer companies, this pricing is pretty middle-of-the-road. However, they often run sales that drop their prices even lower.

Extras

When you’re ordering your ClearRetain retainer, you’ll have the option to purchase some of their add-ons. They sell extra impression putty for $6, which they highly recommend. They’ll refund you for any returned and unused putty, so there’s really no risk in giving yourself a few extra chances with your impressions.

For $15–$25, you’ll have the option to “File Your Smile,” which streamlines the whole reordering process, and discounts future purchases by 25%.

Financing

ClearRetain offers financing through Affirm, so you can break your total into manageable installments. Unfortunately, Affirm requires a credit check, so not everyone will be eligible. On the plus side, some of Affirm’s payment plans don’t charge interest.

Convenience

Without time-consuming office visits, online retainer retailers already offer a highly convenient service. That said, some remote retainer companies are more streamlined than others.

Production Time

ClearRetain says that your final product will arrive 12–16 business days after you place your order — including the time you’ll spend waiting for and sending back your impression kit (if complete it immediately). This is a shorter turnaround time than many of ClearRetain’s competitors.

Expedited Shipping

ClearRetain already has pretty quick turnaround times, but if you’re in a hurry to get your retainers, you can pay $15 for expedited shipping. This shortens each leg of shipping to two days instead of five.

Reordering Process

If you pay $15 for one arch or $25 for both arches, ClearRetain will “File Your Smile,” which means they’ll store a digital copy of your completed impressions. This way, if you decide to reorder a retainer (most people do every 1–2 years), you won’t need to complete another impression kit.

Plus, it saves you time. ClearRetain can mail off your replacement retainer within three business days, so you can avoid waiting to receive an impression kit and mail it back. On top of all that, you’ll get 25% future orders. This is the most streamlined and convenient reordering process of any online retainer retailer we’ve reviewed.

If you don’t want this membership, you have another reordering option. In your original retainer package, ClearRetain returns your accepted impressions. With proper care, these completed impressions should last for about a year. So if you want another retainer within that time frame, you can mail in your previous impressions, and they’ll make you another retainer. However, you’ll need to complete an additional impression kit for any replacements after that.

Appearance

Plastic retainers usually use either clear, shiny plastic or slightly frosted plastic. You might think that the clearer the plastic, the more invisible, but frosted plastics actually blend in better with your real smile, since your teeth are naturally porous and matte.

That said, some people want a little extra shine in their smiles. Appearance is subjective, so choose whichever option works best for you.

After a few weeks of full-time wear after orthodontic treatment, most people switch to overnight wear. If you’re only wearing your retainers in the comfort of your own home, you may not care if they’re a little more noticeable.

Customer Experience

It’s important to find a good price on a quality item, but it’s also important to make sure you choose a company that prioritizes their customers’ satisfaction. They might not match the personal touch of in-person visits with an orthodontist, but ClearRetain provides responsive support and generous guarantees.

60-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you aren’t satisfied with your retainer for any reason, just return it within 60 days and you’ll be eligible for either a remake or a refund (minus shipping). The 60 days begin when you receive your product, so you have plenty of time to decide if it’s right for you.

Custom-made products don’t always have such generous refund policies. We appreciate that ClearRetain gives this peace of mind to their customers.

Customer Education

ClearRetain keeps their website pretty simple. Although they have a helpful impression instruction video and a sizable FAQ section, their website’s other resources are slightly lacking. Some competitors feature informational articles on their site about their products and overall oral health. ClearRetain has a YouTube channel, but its content is pretty sparse.

Customer Support

ClearRetain’s customer support team is available by phone and email Monday through Friday, 9am–4pm MST, and we’ve always received fast responses via phone. Their customer support team has a high level of product knowledge, so you won’t be passed from representative to representative.

What Are ClearRetain’s Customers Saying?

Buying anything online can feel like a leap of faith, but that doesn’t have to be the case. By reading customer reviews, you can go straight to the source to see what real customers experience with ClearRetain.

We’ve read through hundreds of ClearRetain reviews to get a sense of their company, and here are some trends we noticed:

Top Praises

• Many customers love how the retainers fit — some even said they preferred ClearRetain’s fit to that of other providers.
• Though the impression process has its challenges, customers were happy that ClearRetain sells extra putty, so they could take as many tries as necessary to get a quality mold.
• Their pricing is significantly more affordable than in-office options.
• ClearRetain’s customer support team is helpful and knowledgeable.

Main Complaints

• Some customers reported slower production times than advertised.
• Some people wished they would have received quicker responses to their emailed impression photos.

Overall, ClearRetain receives consistently great reviews from their customers. People seem especially happy about the fit and quality of their products. The areas where people have given critical feedback don’t feel like make-or-break issues to us.

It can be frustrating to wait longer than expected for a package, but there’s only so much ClearRetain can do to control their shipping times. Similarly, we understand feeling eager waiting for ClearRetain to respond to your emailed photos of your impressions, but waiting a day or two to hear from them could save you from more waiting if your molds aren’t perfect.

Alternatives

ClearRetain is among our top-rated online retainer providers. Though they have plenty to offer, they aren’t the only company worth considering. Here, we’ll explore how ClearRetain compares to their competition.

ClearRetain vs. Retainers Direct

Retainers Direct was founded by a practicing orthodontist who was tired of seeing drastic markups in his industry. Though they’re relatively new to the market, Retainers Direct is quickly establishing a reputation for affordability, excellent customer support, and their convenient membership program.

ClearRetain vs. Sporting Smiles

Sporting Smiles has served over one million customers since their 2009 start, making them the most experienced remote retainer provider we cover. Sporting Smiles offers two models that vary in durability. So even if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, you’ll still be suitable for a Sporting Smiles retainer.

ClearRetain vs. Dental Lab Direct

As their name suggests, Dental Lab Direct got their start as a dental lab. They supplied dentists and orthodontists with custom dental appliances for over twenty years, but in 2020 they shifted to selling to consumers directly. Besides clear plastic retainers, they also sell Hawley retainers, which are longer-lasting. Though their prices are slightly higher than ClearRetain’s, their flexible financing options can help make your total more manageable.

Final Thoughts

ClearRetain is perhaps the most convenient online retainer provider we’ve reviewed. Their short production times, simple reordering process, and generous guarantees provide a streamlined experience and help make this long-term commitment more manageable.

ClearRetain is a great provider, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best option for everyone. Finding your ideal provider comes down to your personal priorities. Since wearing a retainer is an ongoing commitment, it’s important to choose a company that fits your unique lifestyle and budget.