Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Our dental clinic located directly in Central London serves Retainers with our team of specialist dentists.
Our dentists serving Retainers treatments are registered specialist dentists in London, who are all registered with the GDC. Our Retainers treatments that we provide to City of London and Greater London Area residents are all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines.
You can feel welcome and safe choosing London Dental Specialists for your Retainers in London. You have a full team of dental specialists behind you with a periodontist, orthodontist and endodontist which enables us to take care of your entire smile with any dental procedure necessary for your perfect smile. Don't just take our word for it, watch this video including our real Retainers patients as a testimony to our expertise:
Contact us and lets get started with helping your dental health and comfort with our Retainers treatments, and we can set up a consultation in which we plan our how our Retainers in London can best serve you.
At London Dental Specialists, we offer a comprehensive retainer treatment process to ensure your teeth remain perfectly aligned after orthodontic care. Our 'How It Works' section details each step: beginning with a thorough consultation and assessment, followed by the creation of a custom retainer treatment plan, the precise fitting of your retainer, and concluding with dedicated post-treatment care. This structured approach guarantees the longevity of your orthodontic results, maintaining your confident smile.
Fill the form below, and let's get started with a Retainers consultation.
Principal Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) MSc(Rest Dent) MClinDent(Perio) MPerioRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 104071
Specialist in Endodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) FHEA MClinDent(Ed) MEndoRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 150517
Specialist in Orthodontics
DipDS Athens MS(Ortho) OSU
GDC No: 228487
Retainers play a crucial role in maintaining your smile after orthodontic treatment. At London Dental Specialists, we understand you may have questions about wearing retainers, their effectiveness compared to braces, and proper care routines. Retainers help prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions, ensuring your investment in dental alignment lasts. Whether you need to wear them full-time initially or only at night, proper use is essential for long-term results. Some patients wonder if retainers can replace braces entirely, while others have concerns about sleeping with them or their overall maintenance. Our specialists provide personalised guidance on retainer wear schedules and care, tailored to your specific dental needs and lifestyle.
The duration for wearing retainers varies depending on your specific orthodontic treatment. Typically, patients at London Dental Specialists are advised to wear retainers full-time (approximately 22 hours daily) for the first 3-4 months after braces removal. This may extend to 12 months for complex cases. After this initial period, most patients transition to wearing retainers only at night. For optimal results and to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original position, our specialists recommend wearing retainers nightly indefinitely. Regular check-ups at our clinic will allow us to monitor your progress and adjust your retainer schedule as needed.
London Dental Specialists offers several types of retainers to suit different patient needs:
During your consultation, our specialists will recommend the most suitable retainer type based on your specific orthodontic situation and lifestyle preferences.
Proper cleaning and maintenance of your retainers is essential for oral hygiene and retainer longevity. For removable retainers:
For fixed retainers, maintain excellent oral hygiene by brushing thoroughly around the wire and using floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean underneath it. Regular check-ups at London Dental Specialists will ensure your retainer remains in optimal condition.
Retainers can correct mild tooth misalignment without braces, but only in specific cases. At London Dental Specialists, our orthodontists may recommend retainers alone for:
For moderate to severe misalignments, including overbites, underbites, or crowded teeth, comprehensive orthodontic treatment with braces or clear aligners is typically necessary first. During your consultation, our specialists will assess your specific needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment approach for your situation.
Yes, you should definitely wear your retainers while sleeping. For the first three months after your orthodontic treatment at London Dental Specialists, we typically recommend wearing your removable retainers full-time (approximately 22 hours per day), only removing them when eating or brushing your teeth. After this initial period, most patients transition to wearing retainers only at night. Nighttime wear is crucial because teeth can shift during sleep, and consistent retainer use during this time helps maintain your treatment results. Even years after your orthodontic treatment, continued nightly wear provides the best long-term outcome for keeping your teeth properly aligned.
The lifespan of retainers varies depending on the type and how well they're maintained. At London Dental Specialists, we generally recommend:
Signs that indicate you need a replacement include cracks, breaks, warping, looseness, or if your retainer no longer fits properly. We recommend bringing your retainers to your regular dental check-ups at London Dental Specialists so our team can assess their condition and advise if replacement is necessary.
If you stop wearing your retainers, your teeth will likely shift back toward their original positions—a process called orthodontic relapse. This movement can begin within days of discontinuing retainer use and progresses over time. The risk is highest in the first year after orthodontic treatment, but teeth can shift even years later. The extent of relapse varies between individuals and depends on factors like the original tooth position and treatment complexity. If you've stopped wearing your retainers and notice shifting, contact London Dental Specialists promptly. In some cases, we can provide a new retainer to prevent further movement, while significant relapse might require additional orthodontic treatment.
When you first start wearing retainers from London Dental Specialists, you may experience some temporary speech changes, such as a slight lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds. This is completely normal and typically resolves within 1-2 weeks as your tongue adapts to the presence of the retainer. To help adjust more quickly:
Fixed retainers typically cause fewer speech issues than removable ones. If speech problems persist beyond two weeks, please contact our clinic for an adjustment appointment, as the fit may need refinement.
The cost of retainers at London Dental Specialists varies depending on the type of retainer and your specific treatment plan. Clear plastic retainers typically range from £150-£300 per arch, while Hawley retainers generally cost between £200-£350 per arch. Fixed retainers may range from £200-£400 per arch. These prices include the custom fabrication of your retainer and initial fitting appointment. For patients who have completed their full orthodontic treatment with us, retainers are often included as part of the comprehensive treatment package. We offer various payment options and plans to help make retainers affordable. For a precise quote based on your individual needs, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our specialists.
| Product | Brands | What it Takes Care of | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retainer Cleaning Tablets | Steradent, Retainer Brite, Invisalign Cleaning Crystals | Disinfection, Odour control | Removes bacteria and plaque buildup without damaging the retainer material. |
| Retainer Storage Case | Invisalign, Oral-B, Boots | Protection, Storage | Ventilated case that prevents damage and loss when retainer is not in use. |
| Retainer Brush | Oral-B, Colgate, DenTek | Targeted cleaning | Specially designed brush for removing debris from retainer surfaces and crevices. |
| Alcohol-Free Mouthwash | Corsodyl, Listerine Zero, Colgate Peroxyl | Oral hygiene | Gentle rinse that won't damage retainer material while maintaining oral health. |
| Ultrasonic Cleaner | Sonic Clean, VitalSonic | Deep cleaning | Uses sound waves to remove stubborn debris and bacteria from retainers. |
| Retainer Spray | Dentist Direct, WhiteFoam | On-the-go cleaning | Quick freshening solution when full cleaning isn't possible. |
| Soft Toothbrush | Oral-B Sensitive, Colgate Extra Soft | Gentle cleaning | For light cleaning of retainers without scratching the surface. |
| Retainer Removal Tool | Ortho Key, Aligner Removal Tool | Safe handling | Helps remove retainers without damaging them or injuring gums. |
| Travel Cleaning Kit | Boots, Superdrug, Invisalign | On-the-go care | Compact kit for maintaining retainer hygiene while travelling. |
| pH Balancing Rinse | Biotène, ACT | Oral environment balance | Helps maintain optimal pH in the mouth for retainer longevity. |
| Antibacterial Hand Soap | Carex, Dettol, Palmolive | Hygiene | For cleaning hands before handling retainers to prevent contamination. |
| Denture/Retainer Bath | Steradent, Boots, Superdrug | Soaking container | Dedicated container for soaking retainers in cleaning solution. |
