Retainer Prices 2026
Calculate your TDB 2026 reference fees for bonded retainers, removable retainers, and Invisalign Vivera for post-orthodontic retention.
Retention is essential after orthodontic treatment to maintain the new position of the teeth. The right retainer type is determined by the case and your clinician’s recommendation.
Retainers are typically fitted on both arches. If you’d like only the lower or only the upper arch treated, let us know.
Approximate Clinician Fee
TDB 2026 reference · VAT excluded
Surprised?
This figure reflects the TDB 2026 minimum guideline tariff. For a personalised quote, please get in touch.
Reference fees are based on the TDB 2026 Guideline Tariff (7-20 Retention Treatment, 4-46 Removable Orthodontic Appliance). Prices shown are exclusive of VAT. Invisalign Vivera is priced as a set of 3.
Retainer prices are one of the key topics patients encounter at the final stage of their orthodontic journey — whether they’ve just completed treatment or are about to. A retainer is a specialised appliance worn after active orthodontic treatment (braces or clear aligners) that holds the teeth in their new position and prevents them from drifting back (relapse). The true success of orthodontic treatment depends on the retention phase being done properly.
Once teeth are moved into their new positions by orthodontics, the surrounding bone and soft tissues haven’t yet fully adapted to that new state. Without retention, the teeth tend to drift back to their original positions in a short time — a process called relapse. Wearing a retainer is the essential protective step that keeps years of orthodontic work from being undone. The lower front teeth are particularly prone to relapse.
At our clinic Doredent in Avcılar, Istanbul, retainer treatment — including fixed lingual (bonded) retainers, Hawley retainers, and thermoplastic (Essix-type) retainers — is planned by our orthodontic specialist. The most suitable retainer type is determined based on the scope of each patient’s treatment, age group, and lifestyle.
Retainer cost varies with the choice between fixed and removable, whether one or both arches are treated, the quality of the materials used (stainless steel lingual wire, gold-chain, specialised thermoplastic material), the retention period, and the replacement of worn retainers.
What Is a Retainer and Why Is It Needed?
A retainer is a removable or fixed dental appliance used after active orthodontic treatment to hold the teeth in their new positions. When the teeth are brought into their new positions by orthodontic treatment, the periodontal ligaments (the fibres holding the tooth in bone), the alveolar bone, and the muscles of the palate and cheek haven’t yet fully adapted to the new position. These tissues need time to “remember” the new position post-treatment — that period is called the retention phase.
What happens without a retainer? Research shows that most patients who don’t wear a retainer in the first year after orthodontic treatment experience noticeable relapse. Crowding of the lower front teeth in particular is the type of issue that returns most quickly. However long active treatment lasted, if retention is skipped the teeth can move close to their old positions over the years. See our article on relapse for a closer look.
Types of Retainer
Retainer choice is determined by the patient’s age group, treatment scope, regional relapse risk, and lifestyle. The retainer types we use at Doredent are:
Fixed Lingual (Bonded) Retainer
Most Reliable ProtectionA specialised braided stainless steel wire is bonded with composite resin to the inner (lingual) surface of the lower and/or upper front teeth. Invisible from the outside. Because the patient can’t remove it, no adherence is required. It provides effective 24-hour retention. It’s the standard approach in the lower front region, where the risk of relapse is highest. It can stay in place permanently for life.
Hawley Retainer
Classic MethodA removable appliance consisting of an acrylic plate on the palate (or beneath the tongue in the lower jaw) and stainless steel wire across the front teeth. The patient can take it out and put it back in. Worn 24 hours a day initially, then nights only. Long-lasting and easily adjusted. Suitable for long-term retention. Minor tooth corrections can also be made with small adjustments.
Thermoplastic (Essix) Retainer
Aesthetic ChoiceA retainer made of fully transparent thermoplastic material custom-fabricated for the patient’s mouth, covering the teeth. Preferred for its invisibility. Usually worn at night. Durability is more limited than the Hawley — replacement every 1–2 years can be needed. An ideal option for use after Invisalign treatment.
Combination Retainer Approach
Maximum SecurityAn approach combining a fixed retainer with a removable retainer plate. A bonded lingual retainer is placed on the lower arch, while a thermoplastic or Hawley retainer is fitted on the upper arch. This combination both secures the lower arch and provides the flexibility of a removable retainer on the upper. It is the most frequently preferred combination at Doredent.
The Retainer Process
Retainer fitting is planned as the final phase of active orthodontic treatment and follows these steps:
Completing Active Treatment
Once the teeth reach their final planned positions, active orthodontic treatment (braces or clear aligners) is ended. A final clinical assessment and photography are performed at this stage. Bite, aesthetics, and symmetry are checked. The patient is typically prepared with a few weeks of “final detailing” sessions before this assessment.
Retainer Planning
The orthodontist determines the most suitable retainer type based on the scope of the case and the patient’s post-treatment risk profile. A removable retainer may be more advantageous in young patients and those still growing, while a fixed retainer combination is often preferred in adults. The patient’s lifestyle, oral hygiene habits, and adherence profile are taken into account.
Digital Impression
A 3D digital impression of the patient’s new tooth positions is taken with an iTero Element 5D intraoral scanner for retainer fabrication. Digital scanning is far more precise and comfortable than traditional silicone impressions, and ensures a retainer that fits perfectly. The data is also archived for future use if a new retainer needs to be produced.
Fitting a Bonded Retainer (Where Indicated)
If a fixed lingual retainer is to be fitted to the lower and/or upper anterior region, a specialised braided stainless steel wire is bonded with composite resin to the inner surface of the teeth. The inner surfaces are first etched, a bonding agent is applied, and the bond is cured with an LED light. The procedure takes 20–30 minutes and is painless. Careful checks are made to ensure the wire is smooth and doesn’t cause discomfort.
Fabrication and Delivery of the Removable Retainer
The Hawley or thermoplastic retainer is fabricated from the digital impression in the laboratory (approximately 3–5 working days). The patient returns to the clinic for a fitting; fit, aesthetics, and comfort are checked. After any small adjustments, the retainer is handed over and full instructions for use are explained. The patient is briefed on daily wear time, cleaning, and storage.
Retention Follow-Up
The first follow-up after retainer fitting is at 1 month, followed by 3, 6, and 12 months. In subsequent years, check-ups continue at 6–12 month intervals. Visits assess the bond of the fixed retainer, the wear frequency of removable retainers, and the stability of the teeth. Loose bonded retainers and lost removable retainers can be addressed quickly to prevent relapse.
Factors Affecting Retainer Prices
Retainer cost varies with the type, material quality, and scope of fitting:
Retainer Type
Fixed lingual retainers, Hawley retainers, and thermoplastic (Essix) retainers all involve different materials, labour, and clinical time. The fixed retainer is fitted once but stays in the mouth long-term; removable retainers can be renewed as they wear. Each retainer type is coded separately in the TDB tariff.
Number of Arches Treated
There is a clear cost difference between a single-arch retainer and a both-arches retainer. A retainer of some kind is usually recommended on both arches. The lower anterior region in particular is the highest-risk area for relapse and is supported with a fixed retainer. A removable retainer can be enough for the upper arch.
Material Quality
The quality of the fixed retainer wire (flexible coaxial, gold-chain, braided stainless steel) and the type of thermoplastic used for removable retainers affect price. Premium-brand materials last longer and break less often. Lab labour quality also matters for durability.
Need for a New Impression and Fabrication
The pricing for the first retainer made at the end of orthodontic treatment may differ from a replacement years later when the original wears out. If the patient’s digital impression archive is available, a replacement can be made faster and more economically. Without an archive, a new scan and planning process is needed.
Follow-Up Appointments
The regular check-ups during the retention period (1, 3, 6, 12 months) are an integral part of retainer treatment. Retainer condition, tooth stability, and any adjustments are addressed at these visits. Some clinics include these visits in the package; others price them separately. At Doredent, follow-up is generally included within the orthodontic package.
Retainer Replacement and Repair
Removable retainer plates wear with use and typically need replacement every 2–5 years. Repair of a broken bonded retainer wire or re-bonding of detached sections is also charged separately. Lost retainers, broken clasps, and similar issues can incur additional costs.
Retainer Type Comparison
| Criterion | Fixed Lingual | Hawley | Thermoplastic (Essix) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Invisible | Visible | Invisible |
| Patient Adherence | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of Hygiene | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Retention Effect | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Removable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Avg. Service Life | Lifetime | 5–10 years | 1–3 years |
| Suitable Patient Profile | All adults | Young and adult | Aesthetic-focused |
Frequently Asked Questions
The modern orthodontic gold standard is “lifetime” nighttime retainer wear. For the first 6–12 months after treatment, 24-hour wear is recommended, then nights thereafter. A fixed lingual retainer can stay in the mouth permanently. The longer retention is maintained, the less the risk of relapse in later years. “I wore it for a year — isn’t that enough?” is the wrong frame: teeth naturally tend to shift with age and over time.
For the first 1–2 weeks, mild discomfort and a brief speech adjustment period — particularly slipping on “s” and “z” sounds — can occur. This passes quickly as the tongue adapts. Because the bonded retainer sits on the inner surface of the teeth, it’s invisible from the outside and doesn’t affect your natural smile. Within a few weeks, the wire is barely noticeable.
If your removable retainer plate breaks, see your orthodontist as soon as possible. A broken plate loses its retentive effect, and teeth can start drifting back to their old positions. Small fractures can be repaired in the lab; larger damage requires a new retainer. If the retainer is lost, a new impression should be taken quickly and a new retainer fabricated.
Yes — rarely, a bonded retainer wire can detach from the bond site on a single tooth. If this happens, see your orthodontist promptly to have the section re-bonded. If detachment isn’t addressed quickly once noticed, that tooth can relapse rapidly. The bond is routinely checked at 6-monthly follow-up visits.
A bonded retainer area needs special oral care. In addition to normal brushing, you should clean under the retainer wire with interdental brushes and specialised floss (super floss or floss threaders). Without this, calculus builds up quickly in this area and gingivitis can develop. Removable retainers should be brushed every day with a soft brush and soap, and disinfected weekly with denture-cleaning tablets.
They look similar but have different functions. Invisalign clear aligners are designed for active treatment to move the teeth — each aligner advances them by about 0.25 mm. A retainer (thermoplastic / Essix) doesn’t move the teeth — it only holds them in their current position. The material thickness and design differ. After Invisalign treatment, retainer planning is set by the orthodontist.
Skipping retainer use after orthodontic treatment results in relapse (teeth drifting back toward their old positions). Noticeable changes can be seen within the first 3–6 months. Crowding of the lower front teeth in particular can return quickly. Years of treatment can be lost in a short time. See our article on relapse for a closer look.
No — although a bonded lingual retainer wire contains a small amount of metal, it doesn’t harm MRI imaging and is safe. Mild artefact (image distortion) can sometimes appear in jaw-area MRI; in those cases the protocol can be adjusted in discussion with the radiologist. It poses no issues for brain or neck MRIs. We recommend telling your orthodontist before an MRI.
A fixed retainer can allow plaque to build up under the wire if hygiene is inadequate, and this can increase the risk of gingivitis and decay in those areas. With proper cleaning techniques, however — interdental brushes, super floss, and regular dental scaling — the risk is minimised. Removable retainers have a hygiene advantage because they can be taken out. These areas are routinely assessed at 6-monthly check-ups.
Orthodontic retainers are assessed within the scope of orthodontic treatment. SGK provides partial cover for orthodontic treatment only in congenital anomalies such as cleft lip and palate or in serious orthognathic cases. Orthodontic treatment for aesthetic purposes and the retainers that follow are outside SGK coverage. Some private health insurance policies offer orthodontic appliance cover; we recommend checking with your insurance provider about the scope of your cover.
