---
title: "Replacement Retainers in London: Prices and Turnaround"
description: "Lost, cracked or loose retainer? How replacement retainers work in London: 2026 prices by type, how quickly they are made, what to do meanwhile and how to book."
canonical: https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/replacement-retainers-london
last_updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Replacement Retainers in London

Updated 21 October 2026. By Orthodontists London.

Short answer

## How quickly can I get a replacement retainer?

Usually within a few working days for a clear retainer, about one to two weeks for a Hawley, and longer for branded sets. Until then, keep wearing any old retainer that still fits.

Retainers get lost in napkins, chewed by dogs, cracked in bags and worn thin by night-time grinding. Whatever happened to yours, the priority is the same: get a replacement before your teeth start to drift. We make replacement retainers for patients across London, whether your original treatment was with us, with another practice or abroad, and we keep your digital scan on file so future replacements are quicker.

| Retainer type | Typical London price | Typical turnaround | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Clear removable (Essix-style), one arch | £110–£145 | Often a few working days | Fastest option from a scan |
| Clear removable, upper and lower | £220–£290 | Often a few working days | Most common replacement |
| Branded clear retainer set (e.g. Vivera) | £300–£600 per set | Around 2–4 weeks | Several trays per set |
| Hawley retainer, one arch | £150–£300 | Around 1–2 weeks | Lab-made; adjustable |
| Bonded wire repair | £60–£150 | Often same appointment | Depends on damage |
| New bonded wire, one arch | £250–£300 | One appointment (custom wires may take longer) | Fitted directly |

## What happens at a replacement retainer appointment?

1. **Check**: we look at your teeth, gums and old retainer, and check for any movement.

2. **Scan**: a 3D intraoral scan replaces messy impressions for most patients.

3. **Choose**: we discuss the right retainer type for you and give you a written price.

4. **Fit**: when the retainer is ready, we check the fit and explain how often to wear it.

If your teeth have moved, we will explain whether a new retainer can still be made now or whether a short corrective course is needed first.

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 should you do if you have lost your retainer?

- **Do not wait**: teeth can move within days, especially in the first year after treatment.

- **Wear an older retainer** if you have one and it still fits, even if it is tight.

- **Book a replacement** and mention that the retainer is lost so we can prioritise.

- **Avoid forcing a retainer** that no longer goes in fully; ask us first.

## What if your retainer is cracked or loose?

A small crack in a clear retainer may still hold the teeth for a short time, but cracked plastic can split further and rough edges can irritate the gums. A loose retainer is not holding the teeth properly. A bent Hawley wire can move teeth in the wrong direction. In each case, book a check. Our guide to [Essix vs Hawley retainers](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/essix-vs-hawley-retainer) explains how each type wears and when to replace it.

## What if your bonded retainer has come loose?

If one bond on a fixed retainer has come away, that tooth is no longer held and can move. Wear your removable retainer full time if you have one, and book a repair. Repairs usually take one short appointment. If the wire is broken or bent, it may need to be replaced. Our guide to [permanent retainers](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/permanent-retainer) explains the pros, cons and care of bonded wires.

## Can you replace a retainer if treatment was done elsewhere?

Yes. A retainer is made from the current position of your teeth, so we do not need records from your original provider. It helps to bring any information you have, such as what type of retainer you had and how often you were told to wear it. If you had treatment abroad and have no aftercare arranged in London, we can take over your retention checks.

## Teeth moved after losing a retainer: what now?

| What you notice | Likely option |
| --- | --- |
| Retainer feels tight but goes in fully | Keep wearing it full time for a few days, then book a check |
| Retainer will not seat fully | Do not force it; book; a new retainer or short aligner course may be needed |
| Visible crowding has returned | Short course of aligners, then new retainers |
| Gap has reopened | Aligners to close, then a bonded wire plus clear retainer |

A short course of aligners can often correct minor relapse in a few months. See [Invisalign cost in the UK and London](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/invisalign-cost-uk) for typical fees.

## How often should retainers be replaced?

Clear retainers typically last one to three years. Hawley retainers last longer, often several years. Bonded wires can last many years with checks. Signs it is time to replace include cracks, holes, cloudy plastic that will not clean, a loose fit or a bent wire. Our [retainer costs](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/retainer-cost) guide covers each type, its lifespan and how prices compare across the UK.

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## How to make your next retainer last longer

- Keep it in its case whenever it is out of your mouth

- Clean it with cool water and a soft brush; never use hot water

- Do not drink anything except water while wearing a clear retainer

- Keep it away from pets, which are attracted to the smell

- If you grind your teeth, ask about thicker material or a Hawley

- Ask us to keep your scan on file for quick spares

## Do you need a spare retainer?

Many people who have lost a retainer once order a spare. A second clear retainer made from the same scan means you can swap immediately if one is lost or damaged, and is usually cheaper than paying for urgent replacements later. Spares are particularly useful for students, frequent travellers and anyone with a teenager who wears one.

## Retainers for teenagers

Teenagers lose and break retainers more often than any other group, and their teeth are still settling after treatment. If your child's retainer is lost, book quickly, ask for a spare and consider a bonded wire if wearing a retainer at night is a struggle. It also helps to agree a routine: retainer in the case on the bedside table every morning, never wrapped in a tissue at lunch.

## Do retainers need to be worn forever?

Most orthodontists now recommend long-term retention, because teeth keep moving slightly throughout life. After the first year, many people wear a removable retainer a few nights a week. A replacement is a small cost compared with having treatment again.

## Why are replacement retainers charged separately?

Your original orthodontic fee usually covers the first set of retainers and a period of retention reviews. After that, retainers wear out like any other appliance, and replacements are charged per retainer. The fee covers the appointment, the scan, the laboratory or in-house manufacture and the fitting check. Keeping your scan on file reduces the cost and time of future replacements.

## Which areas do you cover?

We arrange retainer appointments for patients across central, west, north, south and east London. When you enquire, tell us where you live or work and the times that suit you. See all [areas of London we cover](https://orthodontistslondon.com/london-areas).

## Keeping a spare retainer

Many patients keep a spare retainer for travel or emergencies. Ask us whether a spare can be made from the same scan, which is usually quicker and cheaper than starting again.

## Book a replacement retainer

Tell us what happened to your retainer, which type you had and when your treatment finished, and we will arrange a scan. [Request an appointment](https://orthodontistslondon.com/#enquire) through our online form and choose your preferred area of London.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much is a replacement retainer in London?

Typically £110 to £145 per arch for a clear removable retainer, £150 to £300 for a Hawley, £300 to £600 for a branded set, and £60 to £150 to repair a bonded wire.

### Can I get a replacement retainer if I had treatment elsewhere?

Yes. We can scan your teeth and make a new retainer whether your braces or aligners were done with us, at another practice or abroad.

### What should I do while waiting for a new retainer?

Wear any old retainer that still fits, even if it is a little tight, and avoid long gaps without one. If none fits, book quickly.

### My teeth have moved; can I still get a retainer?

A retainer will hold teeth where they are now. If they have moved noticeably, a short course of aligners may be needed first to bring them back.

### Do I need a consultation to replace a retainer?

You need a short appointment to check your teeth and take a scan or impressions. The fit is then checked when the retainer is ready.

## 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)
- [Essix vs Hawley Retainer: Which Should You Get?](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/essix-vs-hawley-retainer)
- [Permanent (Bonded) Retainer: Pros, Cons and Cost](https://orthodontistslondon.com/guides/permanent-retainer)
- [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.

[Request a consultation](https://orthodontistslondon.com/#enquire)