When the last aligner comes out, the teeth are not fixed in place. They can drift back towards where they started, and they can also move as you get older. Retainers are how that is limited, and the British Orthodontic Society says retainer wear is long term. How many hours a day, which type, and when to replace it are set by the clinician who finished your treatment. Before that last appointment, find out who supplies your retainers, what replacements cost, and who to call if one stops fitting.
Why the teeth move again
There are two reasons. Teeth tend to move back towards their original positions, called relapse, and the risk is highest in the early months while the bone and gums adjust. Separately, teeth can move in less predictable ways with age, often with more crowding at the front. Wearing retainers long term reduces those changes; the British Orthodontic Society warns that if retainers are not worn, the teeth will go crooked again.
Retainer types compared
Retainers can be removable or fixed. Your orthodontist explains which suits you, and sometimes more than one type is used.
| Clear (vacuum-formed) | Hawley | Bonded (fixed wire) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Clear plastic tray over the teeth | Plastic against the palate or behind the lower teeth, with a wire across the front | Thin wire glued to the inside of the front teeth |
| Visibility | Hard to see | Front wire visible | Hidden from the front |
| Wear | Usually part-time, as prescribed | As prescribed | Always in place |
| Eating and drinking | Take it out to eat, and follow your orthodontist's instructions on drinks | As instructed | Stays in |
| Cleaning | Brush gently with cold water and liquid soap, or as shown | As shown | Extra time around the wire with floss or interdental brushes |
| Early on | Grips firmly at first | Speech can be affected at first | Nothing to remember to put in |
| Main risk | Lost, cracked or warped by heat | Lost or bent | Glue coming loose, letting a tooth drift |
Before your last appointment
Ask, and keep the answers in writing:
- Which type of retainer, and how many sets, are included in the fee?
- How many hours a day should I wear it at first, and when will that change?
- Who do I contact if a retainer is lost, cracked or does not fit, and how quickly can a replacement be made?
- What does a replacement cost, and is there a retainer plan?
- If I have a bonded retainer, who repairs it? Some general dentists will not.
- When should I come back for a retainer check?
How long you wear it
A removable retainer may be worn full-time at first and then cut down to nights, or worn at night from the start. Your orthodontist advises which. Follow the schedule you are given, not a general rule from an advert or a forum, because the timing depends on your teeth.
Replacement costs
Removable retainers wear out and get lost, and replacements may be charged. There is no single UK price. Published examples:
| Provider | Replacement removable retainer | Bonded retainer | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angle House | From £150 each | From £300 per arch; repair from £150 | Fee guide from 7 September 2026 |
| E11even Dental, London | £205 per arch | £325 per arch | Fee guide updated 4 August 2026 |
| Straight Teeth Direct | Retainer plan £179 a year, or £239 in the first year if your retainers are over 18 months old | Not listed | Provider pricing, October 2026 |
Some aligner fees include one or more retainer sets; check what yours included before buying more.
What to look for in a treatment quote is in what clear aligners cost in the UK.
If something goes wrong
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Removable retainer lost | Contact the clinician or provider for a replacement as soon as you can. The risk of the teeth moving back is highest in the early months after treatment |
| Removable retainer cracked | Stop wearing it if it has sharp edges or no longer grips, and arrange a replacement |
| Retainer feels tight after a few nights without it | Contact your clinician. Do not force a retainer that does not fit fully |
| Retainer will not go in at all | The teeth may have moved. A replacement made to the old position may not fit; the clinician needs to see the teeth |
| Bonded wire loose or broken | Contact the orthodontist at once, because the tooth can drift |
Do not go back to an old aligner tray without your orthodontist's advice. Problems during active treatment are covered in when clear aligner treatment goes wrong.
Cleaning and check-ups
Take a clear retainer out to eat, follow the drinks advice you were given, and clean it the way you were shown. Without other instructions, the British Orthodontic Society's method for aligners works: cold water, a soft brush and liquid soap, never hot water. The daily routine is in how to clean clear aligners. A bonded wire needs careful cleaning next to it every day.
Keep your regular dental check-ups. Your dentist decides how often you are seen, and those visits are for decay and gum disease as well as the retainer.
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Sources
- British Orthodontic Society. RetainersAccessed 22 October 2026
- British Orthodontic Society. Patient treatment FAQsAccessed 22 October 2026
- British Orthodontic Society. Aligner patient leafletAccessed 22 October 2026
- NHS. BracesAccessed 22 October 2026
- Angle House. Orthodontic private fees guide, from 7 September 2026Accessed 22 October 2026
- E11even Dental. Our fee guide, updated 4 August 2026Accessed 22 October 2026
- Straight Teeth Direct. PricingAccessed 22 October 2026
