A new retainer typically costs $100 to $500 per arch in the US without insurance. Clear plastic retainers usually run $100 to $300, wire-and-acrylic Hawley retainers $150 to $350, and replacing a bonded wire retainer $250 to $500. Brand-name clear retainers sold in sets, such as Vivera, cost more. Most dental insurance does not pay for replacements.
Quick verdict
- Lowest upfront cost: a clear plastic (Essix-style) retainer from your orthodontist, about $100 to $300 per arch.
- Best long-term value for many people: a Hawley retainer, about $150 to $350 per arch. In a large review of trials it failed less often than clear plastic retainers.
- If you finished Invisalign: Vivera retainers are sold as a set of several retainers and are often quoted at $400 to $1,000 a set, but you get spares.
- Who should skip mail-order retainers: anyone whose teeth have already shifted, or who has a broken bonded wire. Those need an orthodontist to check the fit first.
Replacement retainer cost by type
| Retainer type | Typical US cost to replace (per arch) | How long it usually lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear plastic (Essix-style) | $100 to $300 | 1 to 3 years | Cheapest; cracks and wears faster |
| Hawley (wire and acrylic) | $150 to $350 | 5 to 10 years | Adjustable; more visible |
| Bonded (fixed) wire | $250 to $500 to replace or re-bond | 5 to 20 years | Needs a dentist or orthodontist visit |
| Vivera (Invisalign brand) | $400 to $1,000 per set (several retainers) | Each set rotated over time | Ordered through an Invisalign provider |
| Mail-order clear retainer | From about $100 per set | 1 to 3 years | Made from a mail-in or past impression |
These are typical US ranges, not quotes. Prices vary by office, by region, and by whether a new scan or impression is needed. Many orthodontists offer a lower price for a second set made at the same time.
What drives the price of a new retainer
The type of retainer. Clear plastic retainers are formed over a model of your teeth in one step, which keeps the cost down. Hawley retainers involve bending wire and processing acrylic, and bonded wires need chair time to attach.
Whether you need a new scan or impression. If your orthodontist still has a recent digital scan or model that matches your teeth, a replacement can be cheaper and faster. If your teeth have moved, a new scan is needed and the cost goes up.
Your provider and region. Orthodontists in large cities usually charge more than practices in smaller towns. Some offices include one free replacement or a discounted spare in the original treatment fee, so check your treatment contract.
Upper, lower or both. Prices are usually per arch. Replacing both upper and lower retainers roughly doubles the cost.
Repairs instead of a full replacement. A Hawley retainer with a bent wire, or a bonded retainer with one loose spot, can sometimes be repaired for less than a new one.
What a retainer does and why replacing it matters
After braces or aligners, the bone and gum fibers around your teeth keep remodeling, and teeth tend to drift back toward where they started. A retainer holds them in their new position. The American Association of Orthodontists says most people will likely need to wear retainers for life, often full time at first and then at night.
That is why a lost retainer is not something to put off. Every day without it gives teeth a chance to move. If they move a little, a new retainer may be all you need. If they move a lot, your orthodontist may suggest a short course of braces or aligners, which costs far more than a $200 retainer.
What each type looks like
Clear plastic retainers look like a thin, transparent aligner that covers the teeth. They are nearly invisible and easy to clean, but the plastic can crack, warp in heat, or wear through over time. A 2023 Cochrane review found clear plastic retainers failed more often than Hawley retainers in the trial that compared them.
Hawley retainers have a molded acrylic plate that sits against the roof of the mouth or behind the lower teeth, with a thin wire across the front teeth. They are more visible, but the wire can be adjusted, and they tend to last longer.
Bonded (permanent) retainers are a thin wire glued to the back of the front teeth. You can’t lose them, but the bond can come loose, and the wire needs careful cleaning with floss threaders or a water flosser. Many people have a bonded wire plus a removable retainer worn at night.
For a full comparison of how each type feels and works day to day, see our guide to retainers after braces.
Where to get a new retainer
Your orthodontist. This is usually the best first call. They have your records, can check whether your teeth have shifted, and can make the right type. Most can turn around a clear retainer within a few days to two weeks.
A general dentist. Many dentists can scan your teeth and order a clear retainer, especially if your orthodontist has moved or retired.
An Invisalign provider. Vivera retainers are ordered through a dentist or orthodontist who offers Invisalign.
Mail-order companies. Some companies make clear retainers from an impression you take at home. This can cost less, but no one checks your bite or whether your teeth have moved. If your old retainer no longer fits, a mail-order copy of your current position will hold teeth where they are now, not where they were after treatment.
How to pay less for a replacement retainer
- Check your treatment contract. Some orthodontists include a replacement or reduced-price spare for a set period after treatment.
- Order a spare. A second set made from the same scan often costs less than an emergency replacement later.
- Use HSA or FSA funds. The American Association of Orthodontists notes that flexible spending and health savings accounts may help cover a replacement.
- Ask about insurance. Most plans don’t cover replacement retainers, but a few orthodontic riders do. Ask your insurer before paying.
- Try a dental school. Orthodontic residency programs may offer lower fees, though wait times can be longer.
- Protect the one you have. Keep removable retainers in their case, never in a napkin or pocket, and keep them away from hot water, dishwashers and pets.
If you are still deciding on treatment, factor lifelong retainers into the total. Our guides to how much braces cost and how much Invisalign costs cover what’s usually included.
How to get a new retainer: what to expect
1. Call your orthodontist or dentist and tell them whether the retainer is lost, broken, or just loose. 2. They check your teeth and bite. If teeth have shifted, they may discuss options before making a new retainer. 3. They take a digital scan or impression, or use one already on file. 4. A clear retainer is usually ready within a few days to two weeks. Hawley and bonded retainers can take a similar amount of time. 5. At the fitting, they check the fit and explain how often to wear it.
When to see a dentist
Contact your orthodontist or dentist promptly if your retainer is lost, cracked, or no longer fits, if a bonded wire feels loose, sharp or broken, or if you notice your teeth or bite changing. The American Association of Orthodontists advises not waiting, because each day without a working retainer allows more movement. See a dentist sooner if a broken wire is cutting your cheek or tongue.
Frequently asked questions
How much is it for a new retainer without insurance?
Most people in the US pay about $100 to $500 per arch without insurance. Clear plastic retainers are usually $100 to $300, Hawley retainers $150 to $350, and replacing a bonded wire $250 to $500. Brand-name sets like Vivera cost more because you get several retainers at once.
Does dental insurance cover a replacement retainer?
Usually not. The American Association of Orthodontists notes that most insurance plans don’t cover replacements. Some orthodontic riders or treatment contracts do include one replacement, so it is worth asking. HSA and FSA funds may help pay for a new retainer.
How long does it take to get a new retainer?
A clear retainer is often ready within a few days to two weeks after a scan or impression. Hawley and bonded retainers take a similar amount of time. If your teeth have shifted, your orthodontist may need to address that first, which can add time.
Can I wear my old retainer until the new one is ready?
If an old retainer still fits without pain, your orthodontist may suggest wearing it in the meantime. If it no longer fits, is cracked, or hurts, don’t force it. Ask your orthodontist what to do while you wait.
What happens if I don’t replace my retainer?
Teeth tend to drift back toward their old positions over time, especially in the first year after treatment. A small shift may be corrected with a new retainer. A larger shift may need a short round of braces or aligners, which costs much more than a replacement retainer.
