What Are the Different Types of Retainers for Teeth?

Retainers keep your teeth in place after straightening with braces, aligners, or other devices. Oral healthcare providers, such as orthodontists, can also use retainers to improve your bite, move one or two teeth, or help you speak more clearly.

Here's a look at different types of retainers, their cost, and their pros and cons.

Removable Retainers

Removable retainers are retainers that you take in and out yourself. Healthcare providers use them most often on the upper front teeth. Removable retainers are easy to slide in and out when you want, but you must keep track of them, use them as your provider recommends, and clean them regularly.

There are two types of removable retainers, and each has pros and cons.

Hawley Retainers

Hawley retainers are what many people think of when they hear the word "retainer." They are one of the most common kinds of retainers and have been around for close to 100 years.

To create them, dental healthcare providers create a mold of your upper palate using hard plastic or acrylic and attach wires that hold your teeth in place. The plastic part used to be made to match the color of your palate, but now you can order it in various patterns and colors.

Clear Plastic Molded Retainers

The other type of removable retainer is made of clear plastic or polyurethane.

To create them, your dental healthcare provider will make a mold of your teeth. Either their office or a lab will fill the mold with the clear material, which has been heated to soften it, so it conforms to the mold. A vacuum device pulls it tightly against the mold, so it makes a perfect replica of your teeth. When you wear it, the clear plastic is barely noticeable, if at all.

Here are some of the pros and cons of removable retainers.

Permanent Retainers

Permanent retainers are placed by a dental healthcare provider and stay in place until removed by a professional. The dental healthcare provider custom fits a wire to the back of your teeth and glues or bonds it in place.

Permanent retainers are most commonly used for lower teeth. They can be a good option if you think you might not remember to use your removable retainer, but they can make it harder to keep your teeth clean.

Here are some of the pros and cons of permanent retainers.

How Much Does a Retainer Cost?

Costs vary widely because the dental healthcare provider sets the cost of the retainer, and it can be different according to where you live, your insurance coverage, and other factors.

Some representative costs are below, including costs if they are lost, broken, or need adjustment.

Other Considerations

Your dental healthcare provider will recommend the kind of retainer they feel is best for you or offer other options. They may suggest a combination of retainers: removable for the upper teeth and permanent for the lower teeth.

Remember that it will take about four to six months for the bone to harden around your teeth after orthodonture, but teeth can continue to shift as we age as our bones and other tissues change.

When you talk to your oral healthcare provider about types of retainers, think about which one may work best for you over the long haul. Remember the pros and cons of each type and what will best fit your lifestyle.

In the case of permanent retainers, it can be difficult to keep your teeth clean. However, floss threaders can get to areas you can't reach because of the wire. Water flossers are another option.

Consider, too, that if the wire of a permanent retainer breaks or bends, a oral healthcare provider will have to remove it to repair it. They can also cause irritation, but they can be adjusted if so.

Clear retainers are more fragile and more likely to need to be replaced.

Why You Might Need a Retainer

If you want to make the most of the time and cost you put into straightening your teeth, you need a retainer. If you have only one or two teeth that need to be moved, a retainer rather than braces or an aligner might be able to address it.

If your tongue tends to move forward when you talk and makes your speech unclear, a retainer can realign your teeth slightly so that you can articulate more clearly.

Summary

Retainers help keep your teeth in position after orthodontic treatment, like teeth straightening.

Retainers fall into two categories: removable and permanent. Removable retainers can be made with a mold of your upper palate and wires or with a clear material that is not very visible but is more delicate. Permanent retainers are fitted and placed by your dental healthcare provider, who can remove them if necessary.

All retainers have their pros and cons, so consider cost, maintenance, ease of use, durability, and visibility preference when discussing retainers with your dental healthcare provider.

A Word From Verywell

If you wore braces or clear aligners, you've probably put a lot of time and money into getting your teeth where you want them. It's a great feeling to finally see the results, so it's worth the commitment to wear your retainer as long as recommended or beyond. Talk to your dental healthcare provider about which retainer option is the best for you.