Types of retainers compared

Page updated October 14, 2026. Medically reviewed by Dr. Abraham Thomas and Dr. Jennifer Loucks-Buren.

There are three main types of retainers: Hawley retainers (acrylic and wire, removable), clear plastic retainers such as Essix, Vivera and Zendura (removable), and permanent retainers (a wire bonded behind the teeth). All three hold your teeth in place after braces or aligners; they differ in look, comfort, durability and price.

Why everyone needs a retainer

Braces and aligners can move teeth because the bone around them is malleable. The same property works against you once treatment ends: left alone, teeth drift back toward where they started (AAO). Healthline says it can take at least four to six months for the new position to become permanent, and that the drift back is called relapse (Healthline). Even after that, chewing, growth and everyday wear can move teeth, so your orthodontist may recommend a retainer for the rest of your life (Healthline).

Every retainer is custom-made from impressions or scans of your teeth, tight enough to hold them but not so tight it hurts (AAO). You may get one type for the top teeth and another for the bottom (Healthline).

Hawley vs Essix vs Vivera vs permanent: comparison

Healthline notes that the retainer is often bundled into the overall cost of braces, and that location and the dental work you need are the biggest factors in price (Healthline). For newer figures, CareCredit's 2022 ranges and 2024 averages are on our retainer cost page.

Hawley retainers

Also called wire retainers, Hawley retainers have an acrylic base shaped to the roof of your mouth or along the inside of the lower teeth, and a metal wire that runs across the front of the teeth to hold them in line (Healthline). The AAO calls them the classic plastic-and-metal retainer (AAO).

• Pros: can be adjusted for a better fit, or for slight realignment later; slightly more durable than clear plastic; your top and bottom teeth touch naturally (Healthline). They can often be personalized with colors and designs (AAO).
• Cons: the wire is visible, and Healthline says they affect speech more than clear retainers (Healthline). The AAO describes them as more visible (AAO).

Clear plastic retainers: Essix, Vivera and Zendura

Clear retainers, also called molded, thermoplastic or vacuum-formed retainers, are made by heating a thin sheet of plastic and sucking it down over a model of your teeth (Healthline). The main difference between the three common brands, Vivera, Essix and Zendura, is the plastic they're made of (Healthline). Vivera is made by the company behind Invisalign, but Invisalign is an aligner that moves teeth, not a retainer (Healthline). Healthline puts a single clear tray, upper or lower, at about $100 to $285 on average (Healthline).

• Pros: virtually invisible, so people are more likely to wear them; less bulky and may be more comfortable than a Hawley; less likely to affect speech (Healthline). The AAO calls them lighter and much harder to see (AAO).
• Cons: can't be adjusted; can discolor over time; top and bottom teeth don't touch naturally; can trap liquids against the teeth, which can cause cavities (Healthline).

Permanent (bonded) retainers

A permanent retainer is a solid or braided wire curved to your teeth and bonded to the inside of the front teeth, most often the lower ones (Healthline). Orthodontists may choose one when teeth are very likely to relapse, when a patient finds it hard to keep up with a removable retainer, or when the original problem was severe (AAO) (Healthline). It's common to pair a bonded lower retainer with a removable one for the top teeth (AAO).

You never have to remember to wear it, but flossing is harder, so plaque and tartar can build up (Healthline), and despite the name it can still break or come loose (AAO). Full details on permanent retainers.

How long you wear each type

Instructions vary, so follow your orthodontist's. Common patterns from the sources:

In that 2010 survey, over 58% of orthodontists preferred removable retainers after braces, and 40% said they prescribe permanent lingual retainers (Healthline). A bonded retainer is worn all day and night by default (Healthline). Expect check-ups after your braces come off; Healthline lists 1, 3, 6, 11 and 24 months as usual (Healthline).

Which type should you choose?

Your orthodontist recommends a type based on why you needed treatment and your teeth (Healthline), but your preferences count too: you'll wear it for months or years, so pick one you'll actually use (Healthline).

• You want it invisible: clear plastic or bonded.
• You tend to lose things or forget: bonded, because removable retainers only work when worn, and lost or unworn retainers are the main reason for relapse (Healthline).
• You want something adjustable and durable: Hawley (Healthline).
• You grind your teeth: ask about clear retainers; the AAO says they're designed to prevent tooth grinding (AAO).
• You're planning major dental work: crowns or other work that changes a tooth's shape can mean new impressions and a new removable retainer (Healthline).

Common retainer problems

• Lost, cracked or warped: a retainer left in a hot car can warp. Don't keep wearing one that's sharp, painful or badly distorted; see your orthodontist for a replacement as soon as you can (AAO).
• Feels tight: normal at first and right after an adjustment; your mouth soon adapts (AAO).
• No longer fits: usually a sign your teeth have shifted, which means a new retainer (AAO), and in some cases more treatment (AAO).
• Bonded wire loose: tell your orthodontist straight away, because the teeth can begin to shift (AAO).

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, see retainer vs night guard.

Care, cleaning and replacement

Clean a removable retainer every time it comes out: scrub it with a dedicated toothbrush and a little mild soap, and soak it once a week in a retainer cleaning solution for about 15 to 20 minutes (AAO). Never boil it, which can warp the plastic (AAO), and don't put it in the dishwasher (Healthline). Keep it in its case whenever it's out of your mouth; removable retainers are easy to lose (Healthline). Clean a bonded retainer with a floss threader under the wire (Healthline).

See your orthodontist as soon as possible if a retainer is lost, cracked or broken, so it can be replaced before your teeth move (Healthline). If you skip wearing it for weeks or months, your teeth may shift and it may stop fitting (Healthline). The first retainer is often included in your treatment fee, but replacements may cost extra (AAO); ask what replacement costs before you choose a type.