Retainers Direct: The Best Aftercare Option?

Retainers Direct at a Glance

Retainers Direct was founded by an orthodontist who’d grown tired of the rampant markups he saw in his industry. Though they started in 2020, this small, family-run business in New Mexico is quickly making a name for themselves thanks to their excellent customer support, quick turnaround times, and high-quality products.

Despite their small size and recent start, they’ve already made over 10,000 retainers, and they show no signs of slowing down. All this and more has helped Retainers Direct earn our #1 ranking among remote retainer providers.

How Does Retainers Direct Work?

To craft your custom retainers, Retainers Direct needs to see your teeth, and because they’re a remote company, you’ll need to purchase an at-home impression kit. When you place your retainer order, they’ll send you an impression kit to complete at home. This kit has everything you need to take a quality impression of your smile: trays, putty, and detailed instructions.

The only reference Retainers Direct has for making your retainers is your impression, so it’s important to give them an accurate mold. That can be difficult, but Retainers Direct does their best to help you through the process. They have a detailed video that walks you through the process, as well as a detailed, written breakdown of each step.

Taking the time to do this right could save you from issues down the line. The impression kit comes with extra containers of putty, so you will have multiple chances to succeed. Retainers Direct sells extra putty too, just in case.

Once Retainers Direct receives your impressions, they can craft your personalized retainers, and you’ll receive them in just a few weeks.

Retainers Direct Pros and Cons

Retainers Direct is our #1 rated remote retainer provider, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. Here’s a look at some of their advantages and disadvantages.

Who Should Wear A Retainer?

We often see people using the terms ‘aligner’ and ‘retainer’ interchangeably. We understand the confusion; aligners and retainers can look similar. However, these products have very different purposes. Clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment that gradually shifts your smile into alignment. Retainers, on the other hand, keep your teeth in position.

Patients who’ve recently completed orthodontia aren’t the only people who need retainers. Though dentists recommend wearing a retainer overnight indefinitely post-treatment, many people fall out of this habit over time. If you see your teeth shifting and you want to prevent further movement, retainers can help.

Selection

Retainers Direct offers clear, plastic retainers made from Zendura plastic — the same high-quality, flexible material Invisalign used to use.

They’ll make retainers for one or both of your arches. So if you already have a bonded retainer on one arch, or only treated a single arch in the first place, you won’t have to pay more for an additional retainer.

Some of their competition offers different retainer models with varied durability, but Retainers Direct sticks with one model for everyone. For the average person, these retainers typically last 2–3 years.

Like many remote retainer providers, Retainers Direct does not sell Hawley retainers. Hawley retainers are made from wire and acrylic, and though they’re more visible than clear plastic retainers, they also last longer.

Besides their retainers, Retainers Direct sells whitening pens and a retainer cleaner. Keeping your retainers clean can help extend their lifespan.

Affordability

The retention stage of orthodontia is ongoing, so it’s important to consider how a company’s pricing can fit into your budget in the short and long term.

Sticker Price

Retainers Direct charges $84.99 for one arch and $149.99 for both. They offer a one-time promotion where you can add a second pair of retainers at a discounted price. This brings the total for two single arches to $134, and two sets of both arches to $229.99. Some people like to have a backup retainer on hand, so if they lose or break one, they won’t have to worry about their teeth shifting while they wait for a replacement.

Membership Program

Retainers Direct offers a three-year membership program that simplifies the reordering process. Instead of completing an impression kit every time you need a new retainer, Retainers Direct mails you a 3D model of the impression you’ve already completed. Anytime you need another retainer, you just mail in your 3D model and then can make one. Without the back and forth of the impression process, this program can deliver replacement retainers more quickly. As an added perk, each retainer replacement is just $49.99.

You can sign up for the membership program for $269. This includes the 3D model of your teeth, one set of retainers, two tubes of retainer cleansing foam, one whitening pen, three years of replacements, and 20% off their other products.

If you’re already an existing Retainers Direct customer, you can opt in to the membership program for $149. They’ll send you an impression kit in the mail so they can make the 3D model you’ll use for reorders.

Financing

Even though retainers from Retainers Direct cost much less than what you’d get from an orthodontist, it’s still an expense. Some companies offer financing to help soften this blow.

Unfortunately, Retainers Direct doesn’t currently offer any financing. However, if you have an HSA or FSA, you may be able to use them or apply for reimbursement. Talk to Retainers Direct and your insurance provider to explore your options.

Convenience

Without in-person appointments, remote retainer providers like Retainers Direct are already a convenient option. Though there’s certainly some effort required to make a good impression, we think Retainers Direct is a highly convenient retainer provider.

Production Time

The thought of your teeth shifting out of alignment can be stressful. If you’re worried about it, you want a provider that can get a retainer to you quickly. This is where Retainers Direct really excels.

Keep in mind, these products require three legs of shipping — sending the impression kit, returning your impressions, and then sending your retainers — which can affect the timeline. Their free shipping option has about a 14-day turnaround time. You can pay to ship your products quicker if you’re in a rush, although the price depends on where you live.

Customers regularly praise Retainer Direct’s quick turnaround times. This is an area where some of their competitors receive complaints, so it’s nice to see they are so consistent.

Reordering Process

If you enroll in their membership program, Retainers Direct makes their reordering process easy. Whenever you want a new retainer, simply mail your 3D model to Retainers Direct. You’ll pay for the shipping to them, and they’ll cover the shipping on the way back. Once they have your 3D model and you’ve paid for your replacement, it only takes them one business day to press a new retainer. Then they’ll ship your new retainer and 3D model back to you.

If you aren’t in the membership program, you’ll order through the website like you did the first time. They’ll send you another impression kit, and you’ll need to start the process over.

Appearance

The transparency of retainer plastic varies from company to company. Some providers make their retainers from clear, shiny plastic. Others opt for a slightly frosted material. As counter-intuitive as this may sound, frosted plastic better blends in with your teeth. Since your teeth are porous, the matte finish looks more like your natural smile. That said, some people like how transparent, shiny plastic makes their smile gleam.

Retainers Direct uses clear, shiny plastic for their retainers, but appearance is subjective, so just focus on which option works best for you. Eventually, most people just wear their retainers overnight, so most people won’t see you wearing them anyway.

Customer Experience

Affordability and convenience are important considerations, but you also need to evaluate how a company treats their customers. Certain policies or warranties can put your mind at ease, providing assurance that your purchase isn’t a gamble, and Retainers Direct offers excellent support and guarantees.

60-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Retainers Direct offers a 60-day money-back guarantee. If your retainers don’t fit, they will work with you to solve the problem. They can either remake the retainers or refund your payment. The 60-day window begins when your product arrives at your home, so you’ll have plenty of time to assess the fit.

Custom-made products don’t always have such robust refund policies, so we appreciate this commitment to customer satisfaction.

Customer Education

Unlike many of their competitors, Retainers Direct has a pretty streamlined website. Though they offer detailed instructions for the impression process, they provide little customer education on other topics. Their FAQ section is rather sparse, but when we reached out to their customer support team, they cleared up all of our questions.

Customer Support

What Retainers Direct lacks in online customer resources, they make up for in their support team. It’s our understanding that the owner, his wife, and their son run the support team — so you’ll always receive knowledgeable responses from people invested in your experience.

Whether we’ve reached out via their online contact form or by phone, we’ve received prompt, knowledgeable responses. Their team is patient, helpful, and genuinely seems to care.

What Are Retainers Direct Customers Saying?

Learning about policies and warranties is helpful, but sometimes you need to go straight to the source. We read through hundreds of third-party Retainers Direct reviews to see how their customers felt about their purchases.

Top Praises

• Fast turnaround and shipping times.
• Friendly, knowledgeable customer support team.
• Highly affordable products.

Main Complaints

• Some people needed to repeat the impression process to get usable molds.
• Some people experienced fit issues with their first retainers. Thankfully, issues like that are covered under the 60-day warranty.

Overall, Retainers Direct customers consistently praise the company’s support team — even a few critical reviews include kind words for their representatives.

Retainers Direct can only make an accurate retainer if they get an accurate impression. We understand that the impression process can be frustrating, so it’s nice that Retainers Direct offers resources on their website to walk you through the process. They also sell extra putty if you need a do-over. If you want further help, there are plenty of video tutorials on YouTube.

Keep in mind: Retainers Direct has a 60-day money-back guarantee. So if you’re struggling with the retainer process, remember that the stakes are pretty low. You can get your money back as long as you’re within that 60-day window.

We respect that Retainers Direct responds to a lot of their reviews, good or bad. They own their mistakes and talk plainly and respectfully to their customers.

Alternatives to Retainers Direct

Retainers Direct is a reputable retainer provider, but how do they stack up against the competition?

Sporting Smiles

Sporting Smiles is the most experienced online retainer retailer we’ve reviewed, having served over one million customers since their 2009 start. Their pricing is similar to Retainers Direct, but they offer two different retainer models, so you can choose the durability that works best for you. Plus, their website has an array of educational resources to help demystify the process.

Dental Lab Direct

In 2020, longtime dental appliance manufacturer Dental Lab Direct began selling directly to consumers instead of supplying dental practices. Dental Lab Direct is a little more expensive, but they offer more variety. Besides clear plastic retainers, they sell Hawley retainers; which are made of wire and acrylic and can last much longer than plastic options. They have over 25 years of manufacturing experience, so you can trust you’ll receive high-quality products.

ClearRetain

Since their 2014 start, ClearRetain has offered flexibility and convenience in orthodontic aftercare. They have a File Your Smile option that stores your impression information indefinitely, which makes reordering your retainers a breeze. This also makes it easier to get a replacement retainer as soon as possible, without waiting to complete a new impression kit. Plus, they offer flexible financing options to help you manage these ongoing expenses.

Final Thoughts

Retainers Direct’s affordable pricing, convenient membership program, and excellent customer support have earned them the #1 spot in our remote retainer provider rankings. But that doesn’t mean they’re the right match for everyone.

Choosing a retainer provider comes down to your personal priorities. Since retainer wear is an ongoing part of your lifestyle and budget, it’s important to determine which company best suits your unique needs.