Post-Orthodontic Retainers
Your teeth start shifting within days of brace removal. Order a custom clear retainer after braces or Invisalign from our UK dental lab — no dentist visit needed, from £69.99.
Your teeth start shifting within days of brace removal. Without a retainer, orthodontic relapse can begin in as little as 48–72 hours. The sooner you start wearing a retainer after braces, the better your results are preserved.
Why Retainers Matter
After braces are removed — or after your final Invisalign aligner — your teeth are in their corrected positions, but the bone and soft tissue around them has not fully stabilised. The periodontal ligaments that hold your teeth in place retain a "memory" of their original positions, and without a retainer, teeth will naturally drift back towards where they started.
This is called orthodontic relapse, and it affects virtually everyone who stops wearing retainers. Research from the British Orthodontic Society confirms that indefinite retainer wear is the only reliable way to maintain treatment results. Relapse can begin within days of brace removal.
A clear Essix retainer is the most comfortable and discreet way to maintain your results after braces or Invisalign. Worn at night, it holds your teeth in their corrected alignment and prevents drift.
Prevents orthodontic relapse
Retainers hold teeth in their corrected position after braces, stopping them drifting back.
Wear indefinitely for best results
Most orthodontists recommend nightly wear for life after the initial full-time phase.
Start immediately after brace removal
The sooner you have a retainer after braces, the less opportunity teeth have to shift.
Invisible during the day
Clear Essix retainers are virtually invisible — most people wear them only at night.
There are three main types of retainers used after braces: clear (Essix), Hawley wire, and bonded (permanent). Here's how they compare.
Advantages
Considerations
Price
From £69.99
Advantages
Considerations
Price
£100–£250 (dentist only)
Advantages
Considerations
Price
£200–£400 (dentist only)
After Invisalign
Yes — retainers after Invisalign work the same way as retainers after traditional braces. Your final Invisalign aligner is not a retainer; it cannot be worn indefinitely and degrades quickly. You need a purpose-made retainer to preserve your Invisalign results long-term.
Your Invisalign provider may offer Vivera retainers — a branded retainer made by Align Technology. Vivera retainers are made from the same Essix PET-G material as standard clear retainers but are priced at £400–600 for a full set. Our custom Essix retainers offer the same effective retention from £109 for an upper and lower set.
You can order your post-Invisalign retainer completely online with Retainers at Home. No return visit to your Invisalign provider is needed.
Complete your order online — no dentist appointment, no waiting room.
Choose your arch(es) and thickness online. Your home impression kit dispatches within 1 working day.
Takes about 10 minutes. Use our professional-grade putty and illustrated step-by-step guide. Spare putty included.
Drop your completed impressions in any Royal Mail postbox. Pre-paid return envelope included in your kit.
Our dental technicians make your retainers in 1 working day. Expect delivery in 7–10 working days total.
Retainer costs after braces vary significantly depending on where you go.
| Provider | Upper + Lower Set | Appointment needed | Fit guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retainers at Home | £109 | No | 60-day fit guarantee |
| Private dentist | £200–£500 | Yes | Typically none |
| Invisalign (Vivera) | £400–£600 | Yes | None |
| NHS (Band 3) | £326.70 | Yes | None |
Prices correct as of 2026. NHS Band 3 rate applies in England.
Over 140 verified UK customers trust Retainers at Home for dentist-quality clear Essix retainers, delivered to their door. Every retainer is custom-made in our certified UK dental lab from professional PET-G material, identical to those supplied by orthodontic practices.
Lauren H.
London · 2 weeks ago · ✓ Verified
Jake M.
Manchester · 3 weeks ago · ✓ Verified
Mia P.
Bristol · 1 month ago · ✓ Verified
Ethan R.
Leeds · 2 months ago · ✓ Verified
Amelia K.
Birmingham · 1 month ago · ✓ Verified
Finlay S.
Glasgow · 3 weeks ago · ✓ Verified
Considering Vivera after Invisalign? Compare cost and quality before you decide.
Read comparisonFull walkthrough of the impression-to-delivery process.
See processFull price breakdown — dentist, NHS, online, and Vivera.
Read guideCustom clear Essix retainers made in our UK dental lab. No dentist visit. From £69.99 with free UK shipping and a 60-day fit guarantee.
Order from £69.99Free UK shipping · 60-day guarantee · No appointment needed