The Benefits of Custom Retainers

Your mouth is always busy. During the day, talking, eating, and even whistling all move your jaw muscles in different ways. Even while you sleep, your mouth and jaw are never fully at rest. Every tiny movement can incrementally shift the position of your teeth. Over time, you could notice that your smile isn’t quite the same as when you first went through alignment.

Retainers are the ideal solution. A retainer is fitted to your teeth, using the data held on file after your alignment. If you were a past SmileDirectClub (SDC) customer or you’ve been through the SmileSet alignment journey, we can start making your retainers straight away. Otherwise, we’ll send you an imprint kit so we can craft a retainer that’s custom-built for your mouth.

Clear dental retainers, such as those provided by SmileSet, are some of the most advanced retainers on the market. SmileSet’s patented Comfort-Edge technology ensures the retainer follows your natural gumline for:

• An improved appearance

• Superior comfort

• Better smile maintenance

• More natural speech

You simply slip the retainer over your teeth before you go to bed to ensure that your teeth stay in position. If your retainers get worn or damaged, you can get them replaced, and you can even order them on a subscription basis. But what do retainers cost?

Dental Retainer Cost: Breaking It Down

Your dental retainer cost will normally consist of the cost of the device itself, plus any additional care items. Understanding these costs helps you pick the right plan.

One-off Retainers

A single purchase of a SmileSet retainer set (upper and lower teeth), based on your existing Smile File, costs just $199. Considering dental retainer costs reach up to $1,000 according to recent research, that’s very competitive.

If you don’t have an existing set of dental records with us, you need an impression kit. The cost is the same for a one-off purchase — just $199. For customers who only need retainers for their upper or lower teeth, the cost is $149.

Retainer Subscriptions

When you order a SmileSet subscription, you automatically get 40% off your first order and 45% off all future orders. This means your first retainer costs $119.40 and subsequent deliveries cost just $109.45. That’s a saving of $79.60 on your first order and $89.55 thereafter. Over five years, you save a total of $855.55 compared to buying each retainer set as a one-off purchase.

For single retainers (i.e., those for only upper or only lower teeth), the cost is $89.40 for the first order and $81.95 for future orders.

Retainer Care and Cleaning

You can use normal toothpaste and a warm water rinse for daily retainer cleaning. For deeper cleaning, you might want to invest in effervescent cleaning tablets, which cost as little as $29.99 for a pack of 90. You should also invest in a case for your retainer to keep it safe, which sets you back just $14.99.

How to Keep Your Dental Retainer Costs Down

In most cases, you’ll only need new retainers every six months. However, without proper care, your retainers could wear out early, leading to the additional cost of purchasing an interim retainer.

You should replace your retainer if you notice:

• Chips, which can hurt your mouth

• Cracks, which harbor bacteria and can quickly grow

• Staining that doesn’t come off when you clean your retainer

• A poor fit, indicating that your retainer has warped and is no longer helping secure your smile

Here are just a few ways you can ensure your retainer lasts for the recommended six months.

Keep It Clean

Your retainer, just like your teeth and gums, needs cleaning every day. Rinse it and clean it with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. You can also use specialist cleaning tablets or invest in the SmileSet Premium Ultra Sonic Cleaner.

Maintain Regular Oral Hygiene

Bacteria can build up in the smallest hairline crack, potentially making your retainer unsanitary. As well as cleaning your retainer, you should keep up with your regular oral hygiene routine. Brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash increase the cleanliness of your mouth and ensure no food particles get stuck in your retainer.

Store It Safely

As mentioned, a case for your retainer is the best way to store it safely. It won’t get dusty and is less likely to get knocked or damaged.

Maintaining your beautiful smile is so much simpler when you invest in cost-effective, comfortable retainers. Contact a SmileSet expert or visit our website to sign up for a recurring retainer replacement subscription.