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FAQ - Orthodontic Retainers

What is a retainer?

An orthodontic retainer is a device that is placed in the back of your mouth, made out of latex or of surgical hypoallergenic plastic or resin in the case of allergies. It is basically a thin, removable wire apparatus placed inside a hard plastic casing. 

What is it used for?

Orthodontic retainers are used at the end of orthodontic treatments to make sure that the teeth that have been so painstakingly (and expensively) aligned do not revert back to their previous, oftentimes pathological, position. 

When do I need it?

You will need it at the end of your orthodontic treatment. No orthodontic treatment is complete without it,a s the teeth will shift back to their previous position over time.  

How long will I need to wear it?

Some patients only need to wear orthodontic retainers for only a few months after the treatment is finished. In other cases, retainers will need to be worn indefinitely. Usually the retainer needs to be worn for a few years after the orthodontic treatment is finished. Usually orthodontic treatment takes place during one’s adolescence, and the retainer needs to be worn until the wisdom teeth come in.

What does the price include?

The prices noted besides the braces include the price of the device as well as the activation fees and adjustments. These prices do not include the retainer, the orthodontic consultation necessary to begin the treatment, and also do not include any extraction of teeth that may be necessary for the realignment process.

What does the price depend on?

The prices besides the individual devices come in intervals, and it depends on how you choose to make the payments. If payed all at once, the lowest price will be charged, whereas the higher price is charged if you pay by installments.

Can I pay in monthly installments?

Of course. In the case of monthly installments, the payments should be made as follows: half of the price needs to be payed as a lump sum when the device is mounted, while the remainder of the price will be divided by the number of probable activations that will take place, the payment of which should be made during the monthly activation sessions. If you would like to pay in some different way, then this can be discussed at the consultation session.

Why is the orthodontic consultation more expensive than the usual dental consultation session?

The orthodontic consultation session is much more complex and takes more time than a usual consultation. To make a precise treatment plan, our doctor requires a study model and a panoramic x-ray. We provide panoramic x-rays during the consultation session, but an OPG (this is the acronym for the panoramic x-ray) that is no older than 3 months will also be accepted. We take an impression of the patients teeth for the study model, which our dental laboratory then examines and makes a lifelike model of the patients teeth. The orthodontic consultation thus costs (only 10 GBP) more, to cover the costs of these technical works.

Is it possible to receive a free consultation?

In a sense, yes. If you choose to start treatment within 3 months, the consultation price can be deducted from the total cost. Due to the price of the study model and the x-rays that are absolutely necessary to make a treatment plan, we need to charge a consultation to be able to cover the price of the technical work should you choose not to proceed with treatment. We do offer an option called a pre-consultation, which is a few minute talk that the patient can have with the doctor, during which your questions can be asked, and your options can be talked over. Since this does not count as a dental procedure, we can offer it for free.