The cost of your retainer will vary depending on the type of retainer that you use. Your orthodontist will be happy to guide you and get you into the right one.
How Much Does Retainer Cost?
Once individuals realize that they may need to get a retainer, there are many questions that they ask. Some of the questions that are often asked include whether there is a huge difference between retainers or even whether using retainers is important at all. The expert advice on this though is incredibly clear.
Essix and Hawley retainers are frequently used in orthodontic practice (Kaya Y et al., 2019). They are relatively easy to make at the orthodontic office and they are the easiest for the patient to care for and maintain.
Hawley and Essix retainers are generally similar in their clinical effectiveness and retention (Kaya Y et al., 2019). They are not interchangeable, so if you change orthodontic offices before your treatment is complete, be sure to let your orthodontist see your current one so he or she can make a new compatible one if you need to replace it.
The long-term stability and retention of the treatment effects obtained at the end of active orthodontic treatment phase is an indicator of the success of the orthodontic treatment (Kaya Y et al., 2019). That’s why it’s so important to wear your retainers.
How Much Does a Retainer Cost?
However, once individuals have a good idea of the importance of using retainers, the next natural question is to simply ask how much do dental retainers cost? Is the retainer cost worth it? How much are retainers and is there a discount for getting more? How much are permanent retainers? Does the retainer’s price vary whether it’s a permanent retainer cost or a removable retainer? Is the dental retainers cost any less than the cost of retainers that you might buy from another office?
The cost of retainers will vary depending on the office that you get them from, what your insurance covers or does not cover, and the type of retainer that you decide to go with. Let’s take a look at the cost of retainers and the three primary types.
Hawley retainer cost
This type of retainer is by far the most common. It also has a very wide price range depending on where you get it from. Sometimes the retainers can be as little as $150 and other times they can be upwards of $600. However although this may be a very common style, it’s important to take note of the different materials that might be used.
Different orthodontic offices may go with a higher quality metal or a higher quality plastic for these types of retainers which can significantly alter their price but also their longevity. While it may seem natural to simply go for a $150 retainer and assume that it will work just as well as one that costs $600, that is not usually the case. Often times you will find that retainers that cost more do so because they are a higher quality.
Higher quality retainers are likely to last longer and so even though you might spend more initially, because of their longevity over the course of their lifetime, you will need to replace them less and so have a better cost over the lifetime than cheap retainers do.
Essix Retainers Cost
Essix retainers are a type of retainer that is used after either Invisalign or braces. They actually look a lot like Invisalign aligners and will help to keep your teeth in place. They are clear, so they have a higher level of aesthetics when compared to the metal wire of a Hawley retainer.
This retainer will usually cost between $400 and $800 and it’s generally considered to be a slightly higher quality than the Hawley retainer. This of course is reflected in its price and is a major reason why it’s important that if you get either of these first two types of retainers, it’s also important to make sure that you get a retainer carrier case.
These container cases can make sure that you do not lose retainers and can help keep them safe if you happen to put them in a purse, bag, or pocket during eating. Making sure that you keep your retainers safe and ideally in their carrying container can also make sure that they last longer so you need them replaced less often.
How Much is a Retainer Replacement Cost?
Some high-quality retainers may even be able to last through the entire treatment if they are treated appropriately. Making sure that you take care of your retainer can be a major factor in limiting the amount of retainer replacement cost that you need to pay for. Regardless of whether it’s a $100 or $800 retainer, making sure that you do not have to pay unnecessary fees to be able to get your retainers replaced is a great way to start saving money, especially after a long orthodontic treatment period.
Like with the previous type of retainer, after your treatment time usually the first retainer will come as a part of the package of having gotten your orthodontic work done. However, while the first one may have its price already included, this is something that you should double check before getting your orthodontic work done so you don’t have a surprise charge at the end of your treatment time.
Permanent retainer cost
You may wonder how much a permanent retainer costs. Again, while the initial cost of these retainers may be included as part of your orthodontic treatment program, if you have to repair or replace them due to damage, the cost will be anywhere between $150 and $500. This is one of the reasons why permanent retainers are popular, especially for children, as they are much harder to lose and they will continue to do the retaining work without any effort by the wearer. However, these do have the drawback of they are not removable.
How much are Permanent Retainers Cost?
Not being able to remove them can be a major problem for individuals who are hoping to be able to get rid of their braces entirely and not have anything else permanently attached to their teeth. But if an individual is not responsible at making sure to wear their retainer regularly, then having a permanent retainer can make sure that the orthodontic treatment process continues unabated without any slowdown or stoppage. The only thing more expensive then replacing retainers is regressing in your orthodontic treatment.
How much are retainers Cost?
You should not worry too much about how much do retainers cost as long as you take good care of them. You should make sure that you protect your beautiful smile and the beautiful smile of your children by getting a long lasting, high quality retainer in consultation with your orthodontic office.
Reference:
Kaya, Y., Tunca, M., & Keskin, S. (2019). Comparison of Two Retention Appliances with Respect to Clinical Effectiveness. Turkish journal of orthodontics, 32(2), 72–78. https://doi.org/10.5152/TurkJOrthod.2019.18045
Contact us:
IVANOV Orthodontics, 12866 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=154326063970645489
Call us at (786) 540-1919 to schedule a free orthodontic exam.
What Is the Average Cost of Braces for Children Today?
