In the orthodontic world, there are three main types of retainers cost to choose from: fixed, removable, and partial. While fixed retainers are bonded to your teeth and need to be removed by an orthodontist, removable and partial retainers can be taken out by you whenever you want. A removable retainer typically gets removed after your braces come off and serves as a way to keep your teeth straight until they’re ready to move on their own accord; when should you get one? Find out in this blog post!

How much does a removable retainer cost?

It varies based on your insurance coverage and whether you choose to go through your dentist or another orthodontist, but there’s one thing that’s not negotiable: If you want your teeth to look nice and straight, it’s going to cost you money. Do yourself a favor and check into all of your options before signing up for an appointment. That way, you can make sure you’re getting a good deal, whether that means paying out-of-pocket for braces or using insurance to cover some of them. Make sure you know how much does removable retainers cost! This is just a quick guide to help you get started with finding answers.

The first step in starting your search is finding a price range. Luckily, WebMD has put together an easy-to-read chart detailing how much do removable retainers cost across four different providers.

Is it worth it?

One of your primary concerns when thinking about whether or not to get a removable retainer is, what if you lose it? First, try to understand that if you were in my office and I asked you how confident you were in your ability to keep track of something small and slim like your retainer, what would be your response? Be honest. If we’re all being honest here, I’d wager you’re concerned about losing your retainer. The truth is no matter who you are or how much attention to detail you have there’s always a chance—however remote—that it can slip out of place. It could fall off your bedside table while you’re asleep, become lodged between two cushions on your couch, or maybe even fall into a toilet bowl! It happens. But don’t let fear stop you from considering getting a removable retainer because there are ways to avoid these mishaps. For example

How do you take care of them?

Even with these removable retainers, you’ll want to make sure you are taking good care of them. After your appointment to get fitted, be sure that you take it easy on your teeth and gums. Try not to bite into anything too hard or chomp down on ice cubes; it may be tempting, but will only cause unnecessary strain on your new retainer. The last thing you want is for one of your teeth to chip off in your mouth just because you were being careless! Just keep up with regular dental appointments and don’t overdo it – that should be all you need for keeping them looking great!

What if you lose it?

If you take out your removable retainer, you risk losing it. If that happens, you’ll either have to make an additional investment in an expensive custom-made retainer or live with gaps in your teeth until they grow back together on their own. Both can be inconvenient and can increase how much money you spend on future orthodontic work. Plus, once your teeth are back together, they may not fit as well as they did before; if that’s true, there’s a chance that your new braces won’t provide as good of results at straightening your teeth as expected. It’s best to leave your removable retainer in when you aren’t wearing braces. This way, you don’t have to worry about misplacing it or getting rid of it. As long as you keep your retainer safe, it will last for years. However, since it does eventually wear down over time, eventually you will need to replace it with a new one. When that time comes, talk to your dentist about how much does a removable retainer cost so you know what kind of investment is required for another one.