--- title: "Essix vs Hawley Retainer: Which Should You Get?" description: "Essix (clear) vs Hawley (wire and acrylic) retainers compared: look, comfort, durability, adjustment, cleaning and 2026 London prices, plus when to choose each." canonical: https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/essix-vs-hawley-retainer last_updated: 2026-10-08 --- # Essix vs Hawley Retainer: Which Should You Get? Updated 21 October 2026. By Orthodontists London. Short answer ## Which is better, an Essix or a Hawley retainer? Essix retainers are clear, thin and cheaper, so most adults prefer them, but they wear out faster. Hawley retainers are tougher, adjustable and let the teeth meet naturally, but they show a wire across the front teeth. Both hold teeth well if you wear them as instructed. After braces or aligners, your teeth need a retainer to stop them drifting back. If your orthodontist offers a removable retainer, it will usually be one of two designs: an Essix retainer, the clear plastic tray that looks like an aligner, or a Hawley retainer, the classic acrylic plate with a wire across the front teeth. Both are proven, and the right one depends on your bite, your habits and how much the look matters to you. | | Essix (clear) | Hawley (wire and acrylic) | | --- | --- | --- | | Appearance | Nearly invisible | Wire visible across front teeth | | Comfort | Thin, covers biting surfaces | Bulkier on palate; teeth meet naturally | | Speech | Little effect after a few days | Can cause a lisp at first | | Durability | 1–3 years; can crack or wear through | Several years; repairable | | Adjustable | No; a new one is made | Yes; wire can be adjusted | | Grinding at night | Wears through faster | Not affected in the same way | | Typical London price | £110–£145 per arch | £150–£300 per arch | | Turnaround | Often a few days; faster from a digital scan | Usually one to two weeks (lab-made) | ## What is an Essix retainer? An Essix retainer is made by heating a sheet of clear plastic and vacuum-forming it over a model of your teeth. It covers all the teeth in the arch, or sometimes canine to canine, and holds every surface in place. Because it is thin and clear, most people cannot tell you are wearing one. Branded versions made from thicker material, such as Vivera, are often supplied in sets; see [retainer costs](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/retainer-cost) for set prices. Compare typical fees for every treatment, in central and outer London, in our [London Invisalign and braces price index](https://orthodontistslondon.com/tools/london-invisalign-braces-price-index). ## What is a Hawley retainer? A Hawley retainer has a pink or coloured acrylic base that sits against the roof of the mouth (upper) or behind the lower teeth, with stainless steel clasps around the back teeth and a labial bow, a wire running across the front of the teeth. The wire holds the front teeth in position while the back teeth can still settle together naturally. ## Pros and cons of Essix retainers **Pros** - Discreet, which suits adults and anyone wearing a retainer during the day - Holds every tooth, including rotations, very precisely - Quick and inexpensive to replace, especially from a stored digital scan - Easy to clean **Cons** - Can crack, split or wear through, particularly if you grind your teeth - Covers the biting surfaces, so the back teeth cannot settle into the bite - Warps if cleaned with hot water or left in a hot car - Cannot be adjusted ## Pros and cons of Hawley retainers **Pros** - Durable and long-lasting - Wire can be adjusted to make small corrections - Lets the bite settle, which can help in some cases - Can carry small additions, such as a replacement tooth or bite plane **Cons** - More visible - Bulkier, and may affect speech for the first few days - Lab-made, so replacement can take longer - Less precise at holding rotated teeth ## Which retainer is better after Invisalign? Most people finishing aligner treatment are given clear retainers, often combined with a [permanent bonded retainer](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/permanent-retainer) behind the front teeth. Clear retainers match the trays you are used to and hold the exact positions achieved. A Hawley may be chosen if you grind heavily or the bite needs to settle. ## Which retainer is better after braces? Either can be used. Some orthodontists prefer a Hawley after fixed braces when the bite needs to settle on the back teeth, then switch to an Essix for long-term night-time wear. Others use an Essix from the start plus a bonded wire. Your orthodontist will choose based on your original problem; for example, closed gaps and rotated teeth are often held best with a bonded wire plus an Essix. ## How should you wear and clean each type? | | Essix | Hawley | | --- | --- | --- | | Typical wear at first | Nightly, sometimes full time for a short period | Nightly, sometimes full time at first | | Long term | Several nights a week, often for life | Several nights a week, often for life | | Daily cleaning | Rinse in cool water, brush gently, no toothpaste abrasives | Brush plate and wire with soap or retainer cleaner | | Avoid | Hot water, drinks other than water while wearing | Bending the wire, leaving it in tissue | | Storage | Always in its case | Always in its case | Never drink anything except water while wearing an Essix retainer, because sugary or acidic drinks are held against the teeth. Our guide to [cleaning Invisalign aligners](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/cleaning-invisalign-aligners) has cleaning tips that apply equally to clear retainers. {{CTA}} ## How much do Essix and Hawley retainers cost in London? Typical London prices for replacement retainers are £110 to £145 per arch for a clear Essix-style retainer and £150 to £300 per arch for a Hawley. Branded clear retainer sets cost about £300 to £600. Many orthodontic quotes include your first set; replacements are charged separately. For replacing a lost or broken retainer, see [replacement retainers in London](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/replacement-retainers-london). ## Signs your retainer needs replacing - Cracks, splits or holes, especially over the back teeth - A loose fit, or a retainer that no longer clicks into place - Cloudy or stained plastic that does not clean up - A bent or broken Hawley wire or loose clasp - Teeth that feel tight when you put the retainer in after a few nights off, which suggests movement ## Can you switch from Hawley to Essix? Yes. Many people move from a Hawley to a clear retainer for convenience or appearance. Ideally, the new retainer is made from a fresh scan while the teeth are still in their correct position. If your teeth have moved, a short course of aligners may be needed first. ## What about permanent retainers? Removable retainers are only one part of the picture. A thin bonded wire behind the front teeth is often added because it works around the clock. A typical modern plan is a bonded wire behind the lower front teeth, and sometimes the upper ones, plus a clear Essix-style retainer worn at night. If you only want a removable retainer, an Essix suits most adults; a Hawley suits people who grind heavily, need adjustments or need the bite to settle. ## Quick decision guide - **You want discretion and wear it at night only**: Essix - **You grind your teeth heavily**: Hawley, or a thicker clear retainer - **You need small adjustments after treatment**: Hawley - **You had rotated teeth or closed gaps**: Essix plus a bonded wire - **You lose things easily**: a bonded wire, plus a stored digital scan so a spare Essix can be made quickly ## Can you have both? Yes, and some people do: a Hawley worn for the first months to let the bite settle, then a clear retainer for long-term night wear. Others keep a Hawley as a durable spare. The aim is the same either way, which is to keep the teeth exactly where treatment left them for as long as you want straight teeth. If you are replacing a lost or broken retainer, the choice is a good moment to reconsider which type suits you now. ## Not sure which you need? We can check your current retainer, scan your teeth and recommend the right type. [Request a consultation](https://orthodontistslondon.com/#enquire) through our form. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is an Essix retainer? A thin, clear, vacuum-formed plastic tray made from a mould or scan of your teeth, worn mainly at night after braces or aligners. ### What is a Hawley retainer? A removable retainer with an acrylic plate against the palate or behind the lower teeth and a metal wire across the front teeth. ### How long does an Essix retainer last? Usually 1 to 3 years with care. Grinding your teeth or cleaning with hot water shortens its life. ### How long does a Hawley retainer last? Often several years, because the acrylic and wire are tough and can be repaired or adjusted. ### How much do Essix and Hawley retainers cost in London? Clear Essix-style retainers typically cost £110 to £145 per arch; Hawley retainers typically cost £150 to £300 per arch. ## Related guides - [How Much Do Braces Cost in London and the UK? (2026)](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/braces-cost-london) - [Invisalign Cost in the UK and London: 2026 Prices](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/invisalign-cost-uk) - [Permanent (Bonded) Retainer: Pros, Cons and Cost](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/permanent-retainer) - [Replacement Retainers in London](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/replacement-retainers-london) - [Retainer Costs After Braces and Invisalign](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/retainer-cost) - [London Invisalign and Braces Price Index 2026](https://orthodontistslondon.com/tools/london-invisalign-braces-price-index) - [Orthodontists in London: Invisalign and braces](https://orthodontistslondon.com/) - [Areas of London we cover](https://orthodontistslondon.com/london-areas) Next step ## Talk to a London orthodontist Tell us what you are looking for and we will be in touch to arrange a consultation. There is no obligation to go ahead. 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