How Much Do Retainers Cost to Replace?

Find out how much retainers cost to replace—plus we’ll discuss where you can get a new retainer and the potential consequences of not wearing one

If you have had braces or Invisalign treatment recently, you know how important it is to wear your retainer. Your retainer keeps your teeth in place after they’ve been moved to their correct position, and without a retainer, your teeth will shift out of place. But, what if you’ve lost or broken your retainer? What are the next steps to replace your retainer and make sure you preserve your smile?

That’s exactly what we’ll be exploring today! We’re covering everything from how much retainers cost to replace to where you can buy a new retainer and a few other key points you should keep in mind—just in case. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

When Do I Need to Replace My Retainer?

Before we can discuss retainer replacement costs, we need to talk about when you should replace your retainer

Losing or breaking your retainer is common—it will likely happen to everyone who wears a retainer at least once. When you lose or break your retainer, the most important thing is that you get a replacement as soon as possible. As we just mentioned, your retainers are there to keep your teeth in place—and without the retainer, your teeth begin to move immediately. The longer that you wait before getting a replacement, the more your teeth will move. That means that all the hard work you put into straightening your teeth will be lost and you’ll likely have to undergo  a second round of braces or Invisalign.

How Long Do Retainers Last?

To find out how much retainers cost to replace, we need to learn about the different types of retainers and their lifespan

Though clear retainers are the most common variety, there are other types of retainers out there.

Up until now, we’ve only spoken about retainers in general. In fact, there are several types of retainers that are commonly used to keep teeth in place. These different types all last for different lengths of time before they need to be replaced and have different associated costs. We’re going to be taking a look at the 3 major types of retainers and how they last before we answer the question—“How much do retainers cost to replace?” Let’s take a look!

1. Clear Plastic Retainers - Clear plastic retainers are the most common of the 3 types and only tend to last anywhere from 1-3 years. After 1-3 years, you can expect clear plastic retainers to become weakened and start collecting plaque and bacteria. Clear retainers are also more prone to breaking as they age. 
2. Hawley Retainers - Hawley retainers tend to last longer than clear plastic retainers—you can count on them for anywhere from 5-8 years.
3. Permanent Retainers - Permanent retainers last much longer than the previous two types of retainers. As long as your permanent retainer stays in place and doesn’t break, it can last up to 20 years without replacement.

Now that we know about the 3 major types of retainers and how much they cost, let's find out how much retainers cost to replace.

How Much Do Retainers Cost to Replace?

Let’s find out how much retainers cost to replace so you can decide which option is right for you

Since there are 3 main types of retainers, there are 3 different price ranges to explore. To find out how much retainers cost to replace, let’s start with the clear plastic variety.

A replacement clear plastic retainer will run you anywhere from $150 to $800. The price range will depend on how you straighten your teeth, your orthodontist, and where you live. For example, retainers developed for Invisalign treatment tend to be more expensive than retainers for people who straighten their teeth using braces.

Hawley retainers tend to be the lowest cost option for a retainer replacement. If you are in need of a replacement Hawley retainer, expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $300 to your orthodontist.

Lastly, we need to discuss permanent retainers. If your permanent retainer has broken or has become unglued, you need to visit your orthodontist as soon as possible. Never attempt to fix your permanent retainer yourself! If you need to replace a broken permanent retainer, you can expect to pay your orthodontist anywhere from $200 to $500.

How do I Get a Replacement Retainer?

Now that we know the cost to replace a retainer, let’s discuss how you can get one

Your orthodontist can either create a mold or take a scan of your teeth to replace your retainer.

To get a new retainer if yours is lost or broken, all you need to do is schedule a visit with your orthodontist. Depending on the circumstance, they may be able to get you a new retainer based on your old teeth molds. But, if your teeth have shifted, then your orthodontist will have to take new molds of your teeth.

If you have more questions about replacing retainers or have more questions about general retainer care, check out our Movemints blog to answer all of your questions! Your perfect smile could be just around the corner.