Typically, when you wrap up orthodontic treatment, your doctor will advise you to wear an aftercare retainer full-time for a few months. Once you get the go-ahead, you can switch to overnight wear, which you’ll continue indefinitely.
Indefinitely is a long time to maintain a responsibility, and since many retainers require occasional replacement, it’s only natural for cost to be top of mind. But how much do retainers really cost? In this guide, we’ll break down the costs of the three main retainer models so you can prepare your aftercare budget accordingly.
Table of Contents
Types of Retainers and Their Average Costs
There isn’t just one retainer option that’s best for everyone. There are three distinct models, each with unique attributes and prices.
Hawley Retainers
When you picture a retainer, a Hawley is probably what comes to mind. Hawley retainers consist of a metal wire that sits on the front of your smile and wraps around to meet an acrylic plate on the roof of your mouth or your lower arch. Because of the metal, this option is very noticeable, but it’s also durable. A Hawley retainer is one of two removable retainer models.
They typically cost between $150 and $550 per arch, and you can purchase them through a dentist/orthodontist or from online retainer retailers.
Clear Retainers
Clear retainers are removable, snug-fitting plastic trays that offer a low profile, keeping your aftercare discreet. They look similar to trays used for clear aligner treatments like Invisalign, but their purpose is to keep your teeth in their current positions, not move them.
Clear retainers can be more affordable than other retainer options, priced between $100–$400 per arch on average. You can purchase a clear retainer through your dentist or from an online retailer.
Permanent Retainers
Permanent retainers consist of a small wire bonded across 4–6 teeth on the lingual (tongue) side of your smile, making this the most discreet aftercare option available. You can’t purchase permanent retainers online because they require an in-person appointment for the bonding. Your dentist will set your price, but permanent retainers can cost anywhere from $150 to $550.
Buying Retainers Online vs. at the Dentist
Dentists and orthodontists set their own prices for retainers, but that doesn’t mean their products are a price gouge. They have to account for overhead expenses like rent, utilities, and their staff’s salaries. Online retainer companies, on the other hand, typically have less overhead, so they can offer lower prices than in-office options.
That said, online retainer retailers have a limited selection. Most companies only sell clear retainers, though a select few sell Hawley retainers as well. Online retainer companies can’t sell permanent retainers, because this model requires an in-person appointment with an orthodontist for bonding.
What About Insurance?
If you have dental insurance, your provider may help pay for your retainer. That said, insurance companies are usually more inclined to cover the costs of retainers from in-person providers than online retailers.
However, some online retainer companies accept payments from HSA/FSA accounts, so you can potentially pay for your appliance that way.
How Often Do I Need to Replace My Retainer?
Affordability is an important aspect to any purchase, but savvy shoppers know it’s about more than just the sticker price. It’s also helpful to consider how frequently you’ll need to replace your retainers.
On average, Hawley retainers can last 5–10 years, clear retainers can last from six months to three years, and permanent retainers can last upwards of ten years. So although Hawley and permanent retainers often cost more upfront, they’re more cost-effective in the long run.
The make and material of your retainer play a crucial role in its lifespan, but your habits are also a major factor. With removable retainers (both Hawley and clear plastic), remove your appliance prior to eating or drinking anything other than water. With clear retainers, you’ll wear through your appliance more quickly if you grind your teeth or clench your jaw.
Though permanent retainers don’t come with outright food restrictions like braces, certain dietary choices can affect your retainer’s longevity. If you consume a lot of sugar, the acids from the sugar can wear away at the bonding material over time. Plus, biting into hard foods is one of the main ways people damage their permanent retainers. Consider cutting an apple into slices instead of biting into it directly.
What If I Break My Retainer?
Try as we might to keep our retainers intact, accidents happen. But not all retainers are easy to repair.
Depending on the level of damage, Hawley and permanent retainers can be repaired. With a Hawley retainer, a repair can cost you roughly half of the retainer’s original price. Though it’s never fun to spend extra money, paying only half the price is certainly better than purchasing a brand new retainer. Repairing a permanent retainer usually costs the same as replacing it, since you’ll need to attend another in-person appointment.
Unfortunately, clear retainers usually can’t be repaired, so if you break one, you’ll need to replace it.
Final Thoughts
Retention is the longest stage of orthodontic treatment, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the most expensive. With a variety of aftercare options, you can find a retainer routine that works for both your lifestyle and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aftercare option is the most affordable in the short-term?
Clear retainers often have the lowest sticker price, making them an affordable short-term option.
Which aftercare option is most affordable in the long-term?
Though Hawley and permanent retainers are often slightly more expensive than clear retainers, their durability and longer lifespans make them an affordable option in the long-term.
Will my insurance help pay for my retainer?
If you have orthodontic insurance, you may have some coverage for the cost of your retainers. Typically, insurance providers are more likely to contribute to retainer costs from orthodontists offices than online retailers.
Can I wear different retainer models on different arches?
It’s perfectly normal to wear different retainers on different arches. For example, many people sport a permanent retainer on their lower arch, but opt for a removable one on their upper arch.
Why aren’t there set prices for retainers purchased from a dentist or orthodontist?
Each dentist and orthodontist sets their own prices. They have to cover the costs of their offices and staff, plus the cost of the retainer itself. These expenses vary, which leads to a wide range of prices.
Can I eat while wearing a retainer?
Since a permanent retainer is cemented onto your teeth, you’ll wear it during all your meals. However, you should always take out removable retainers before consuming anything other than water. Eating in removable retainers can damage them, stain them, and cause oral health problems.
Can my retainer be repaired?
Depending on the damage, if you have a Hawley or permanent retainer, you may be able to have it repaired. Unfortunately, dentists can’t repair clear retainers, so you’ll need to replace them instead.
Do retainers have dietary restrictions?
Since you’ll remove your Hawley or clear retainer before eating or drinking, they don’t have any food restrictions. Although nothing’s really off limits for permanent retainers, high sugar consumption can wear through your dental cement over time.
Plus, biting directly into hard foods can dislodge your permanent retainer. That doesn’t mean you should completely avoid hard foods, but it’s something to keep in mind.
Can I purchase multiple retainers at once?
Since clear retainers require more frequent replacement than other models, consider keeping a backup retainer on hand, just in case.
Do any online retainer retailers offer financing?
Some online retainer companies do. Dental Lab Direct and ClearRetain are among our top-rated online retainer retailers, and both offer financing.
Join The Discussion: