Retainers London
Treatment
30 minutes
Price
From £300
Team Experience
50+ years
Recovery Time
None
Google Rating
★★★★★ (4.9)
Protect your new smile with precision-engineered, custom orthodontic retainers
After investing time and commitment into orthodontic treatment, the final and most important stage is retention. Once braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces or Invisalign aligners have completed their work, teeth are still biologically unstable. Without a perfect retainer fit, the teeth gradually drift back towards their original position — a process known as orthodontic relapse.
At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic in Central London, we protect your results with world-class retention systems, delivered by a specialist orthodontist using digital planning and in-house laboratory technology. Our goal is simple: keep your teeth in place permanently, preserve your smile, and ensure you never need orthodontic treatment twice.
What are retainers?
Retainers are bespoke orthodontic appliances designed to maintain the corrected position of teeth following active orthodontic treatment. While braces and aligners move teeth, retainers hold them still until bone, gum tissue and the periodontal ligaments adapt to the new alignment.
We provide two main types:
• Removable Essix retainers – clear, virtually invisible plastic trays worn mostly at night
• Fixed bonded retainers – slim metal wires attached behind the front teeth for 24/7 stability
• Vivera retainers – premium Invisalign-made clear retainers supplied in sets of three for long-term durability
Retention is not optional — it is a permanent phase of orthodontics. Without it, teeth will shift.
Why retention matters: understanding orthodontic relapse
After braces or Invisalign, teeth are held in place by soft tissues until the bone remodels around them. This remodelling takes months, sometimes years.
Without a retainer in place:
• The front teeth begin to crowd or tilt forward
• Spaces may reopen
• Your bite can slowly change
• Invisalign and braces results are compromised
• In severe cases, retreatment becomes necessary
We see many patients from other practices whose retainer breaks or was never supplied correctly. They seek us out because their teeth are shifting again. Our retention systems prevent this, and our digital laboratory allows us to replace broken retainers quickly — even for international patients visiting London for business or travel.
Types of retainers we offer
Removable Essix retainers
Clear, slim and discreet. Essix retainers are custom-fitted from thermoplastic and are almost invisible when worn. They are taken out for eating and cleaning, making them popular for long-term nightly wear.
Benefits:
• Clear and subtle
• Easy to clean
• Excellent for protecting alignment after Invisalign or braces
• Prevents minor shifting
These retainers are a popular choice for adults and teens who want a simple, comfortable way to protect their new smile.
Vivera retainers
Manufactured by Invisalign and supplied in three sets, offering long-term durability. They are stronger than standard Essix material and particularly useful for patients with strong biting forces or a history of relapse.
Ideal for:
• Invisalign patients
• International patients needing long-term backup sets
• People who grind teeth at night
• Anyone wanting premium long-lasting retention
Fixed bonded retainers
A slim metal wire is discreetly bonded behind the front teeth. Invisible from the outside, always working, and highly effective for patients with a history of crowding.
Why patients choose them:
• Zero compliance required
• Keeps teeth perfectly aligned 24/7
• Excellent long-term retention for adults and teens
If the retainer breaks or feels loose, you can book a fast appointment — we handle many emergency repairs for London residents and international visitors.
Meet your award-winning Retainers dentist and team…
Our multidisciplinary team brings together specialist orthodontists with decades of clinical experience, digital technicians who craft perfectly fitted Essix, Vivera and fixed retainers, and a restorative and cosmetic team dedicated to protecting long-term function and aesthetics. As a Harley Street–calibre practice with a reputation for excellence in orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry and complex dental rehabilitation, we are trusted by patients from Marylebone, Hammersmith, North London and internationally for their long-term post-orthodontic care – because precision retention truly matters.
What happens at your consultation and during treatment?
Removable retainers
Digital scan of the teeth (no impressions unless required)
Custom design in our in-house lab
Fitting appointment and demonstration of cleaning and care
Routine check-ups to ensure the retainer in place remains stable
We advise wearing them full-time for several months, then night long-term.
Fixed retainers
Digital scan and custom wire measurement
Bonding behind the front teeth
Polish and comfort check
Scheduled review appointments
If a fixed retainer breaks, loosened bonding or movement should be addressed quickly.
Looking for the best Retainers in London?
At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic, retention is overseen by specialist orthodontists with decades of experience in stabilising complex cases and preventing relapse. Our team combines advanced digital planning with in-house laboratory manufacturing to create retainers that fit with absolute accuracy – ensuring your smile remains perfectly aligned for life.
Every retainer is engineered using high-resolution scans, precision wire measurement and premium materials, allowing us to deliver results that are both comfortable and clinically reliable.
Working alongside restorative and cosmetic experts, we ensure your retention plan protects not just your tooth alignment but your long-term oral health, function and aesthetics. Whether you’ve completed treatment with us or are correcting relapse from another practice, our specialist-led approach provides the highest standard of post-orthodontic care in Central London.
Dental Retainers FAQs
What happens during Removable Retainer Treatment?
After an initial consultation, we accurately take all the measurements we need for our dental technicians at our in-house dental laboratory to manufacture a custom-made plated appliance, often made of plastic with special holding elements attached to it. Once the removable retainer is ready to be applied, we will explain exactly how to use it on a daily basis and provide you with all the aftercare information and advice you may need. We agree together a schedule of check-ups for you to attend so we can check the fit and monitor how the jawbones and gums stabilise themselves in relation to this new orthodontic device and how it protects the new position of the teeth to prevent significant movement. NB: Please note that the overall duration of orthodontic treatment with a retainer varies on an individual case basis, but we often recommend using a retainer for as long as you used your braces
What happens during Fixed Retainer Treatment?
After an initial consultation, we accurately take all the measurements we need (such as with a teeth impression kit to create a plaster model) for our dental technicians at our in-house dental laboratory to manufacture a custom-made plated appliance for you. Fixed teeth stabilisers are attached to the inner sides of the front teeth. After a pre-treatment, we attach the wire so it does not exert any pressure. We agree together on a schedule of check-ups for you to attend so we can check the fit and monitor how the jawbones and gums stabilise themselves in relation to this new fixed retainer and how it protects the new position of the teeth to prevent significant movement. NB: If the retainers start to exert pressure or loosen, please book an appointment with us at your earliest opportunity so we can preserve both the form and function of the retainers for you to restore both your comfort and confidence in their daily use.
How long do you wear an orthodontic retainer?
The duration of wearing an orthodontic retainer can vary depending on the recommendation of the orthodontist and the individual’s specific orthodontic needs. In general, it is advisable to wear a retainer for an extended period to maintain the results of orthodontic treatment. Initially, after completing orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist may recommend wearing the retainer full-time, except when eating or cleaning, for a few months. This period allows the teeth and supporting structures to stabilise in their new positions. After the initial phase, the orthodontist may modify the retainer wear schedule, typically transitioning to wearing it only at night. This nighttime wear may continue for several more months to a few years, depending on the individual case and the orthodontist’s recommendation. It’s important to follow the orthodontist’s guidance regarding the duration and schedule of retainer wear. Failure to wear the retainer as instructed can lead to teeth shifting back towards their original positions, potentially reversing the progress achieved through orthodontic treatment.
What does a teeth retainer look like?
Retainers are custom-made, removable or fixed dental appliances made of clear plastic or metal used in the specialist field of dentistry called Orthodontics. They can be visible or invisible to you, depending on the method of manufacture. They are, in essence, a moulded apparatus operating like a frame within the mouth designed to protect the new alignment of your teeth and your new smile after the successful completion of braces treatment.
Why does a retainer hurt my teeth?
There are a few reasons why a retainer might cause discomfort or pain in the teeth. When you first start wearing a retainer or when it’s adjusted, there may be an initial adjustment period during which your teeth and surrounding tissues need time to adapt. This can result in temporary discomfort that usually subsides within a few days. If the retainer feels tight or exerts pressure on the teeth, it can cause discomfort, but this should diminish as you continue to wear it consistently. Incorrect fit or irregularities in the retainer can also lead to discomfort, so it’s important to ensure proper fabrication and adjustment. Additionally, if there have been shifts in your teeth or changes in your bite since orthodontic treatment, wearing a retainer may cause temporary discomfort as it helps realign the teeth or correct the bite. If you experience significant or prolonged discomfort, it’s best to consult with your orthodontist. Please book an appointment with us at our dental practice so we can advise and recommend the best course of action.
What is the best teeth retainer?
The best teeth retainer is the one which offers you the best fit and is fit for your purpose. In addition to your comfort, if they are as aesthetically pleasing as possible, then you can rest assured you have chosen the best option for yourself. At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic, our orthodontic team offer Vivera and Wire retainer choices for you to consider with your dentist.
What is a retainer?
Retainers are a custom-made removable or fixed dental appliance made of clear plastic or metal used in the specialist field of dentistry called Orthodontics. They are the next natural step after braces treatment is complete, when the teeth are now straightened, in order to preserve the new alignment of the teeth and to guard against potential misalignment in the future. Literally, a retainer helps retain the shape of the teeth, now treated to restore your beautiful smile.
What is the difference between a retainer and Invisalign?
Although removable retainers and Invisalign aligners can look similar at first glance, they have very different purposes and are made using different materials and technology.
Invisalign aligners move teeth
Invisalign aligners are part of an active orthodontic treatment. They apply controlled, gentle forces to move teeth into a new position. Each aligner is slightly different, gradually shifting the teeth over time. They must be worn 20–22 hours per day for the treatment to be effective.
Key features:
• Designed to straighten or realign teeth
• Changed every 1–2 weeks
• Made from SmartTrack material engineered for precise movement
• Used for crowding, spacing, bite problems, relapse and cosmetic alignment
• Teeth change visibly during treatment
Retainers maintain teeth in place
A retainer does not move teeth. Instead, it holds the teeth in their final corrected position once treatment is complete. Retainers prevent natural drifting caused by chewing pressure, bone remodelling, and age-related changes.
Key features:
• Worn after braces or Invisalign
• Prevents relapse or shifting
• Can be removable (Essix, Vivera) or fixed (bonded wire)
• Usually worn full-time at first, then nights only
• Designed for stability, not movement
How to tell them apart:
| Invisalign Aligners | Retainers |
|---|---|
| Actively move teeth | Hold teeth in place |
| Replaced every 1–2 weeks | Last months to years |
| Must be worn 20–22 hours/day | Often only at night long-term |
| SmartTrack movement material | Stronger, thicker retention plastics or wire |
| Custom-designed with digital tooth movement plans | Custom-moulded to the current tooth position |
In short:
• Invisalign creates your new smile
• Retainers protect it for life
If a retainer starts feeling tight or uncomfortable, it may be a sign that teeth have begun to move — and you should book an appointment promptly to avoid orthodontic relapse.
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Written by: Dr Raul Costa
Medically reviewed by: Prof Dr Christian Mehl
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