⚡ LIMITED TIME OFFER
By Joanna M. | Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy
If you've been comparing custom retainers and night guards online in the UK, you've likely come across both Smilero and NewSmile. Both companies let you skip the dentist's chair and order from home — a genuine convenience for anyone who's already completed orthodontic treatment or who grinds their teeth at night. But the two brands differ in meaningful ways: pricing structure, materials, turnaround, and the level of clinical oversight behind each order.
This comparison covers what each provider actually offers so you can make a confident, informed decision.
Smilero (smilerodental.co.uk) is a UK-based dental products company offering clear retainers and night guards through a postal impression kit. They advertise a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and position themselves as a no-clinic-visit alternative to traditional dentists. Their current pricing is listed as [INSERT CURRENT PRICE FROM smilerodental.co.uk] — we recommend verifying directly on their website before purchasing, as promotional prices can change.
NewSmile operates custom clear retainers and custom night guards across the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. In the UK, both a retainer pair and a night guard pair are priced at £109. Orders are fulfilled using Essix-style dental-grade thermoplastic, fabricated from impressions you take at home with the included kit. A telehealth clinical team reviews each case before production begins.
| Category | Smilero UK | NewSmile UK |
|---|---|---|
| Retainer pair price | [INSERT CURRENT PRICE] | £109 |
| Night guard pair price | [INSERT CURRENT PRICE] | £109 |
| Impression method | Postal impression kit | Postal impression kit |
| Clinic visit required? | No | No |
| Clinical review | Not prominently stated | Telehealth team reviews every order |
| Material | Clear thermoplastic | Dental-grade Essix thermoplastic |
| Satisfaction guarantee | 30 days | Fit guarantee included |
| UK-specific operation | Yes | Yes — dedicated UK store |
A retainer or night guard is only as good as the material it's made from. Thin, non-dental-grade plastic may feel comfortable initially but tends to warp under body heat, crack under grinding pressure, or discolour quickly. NewSmile fabricates its appliances using dental-grade Essix thermoplastic — the same category of material used in private dental practices across the UK for post-orthodontic retention.
Smilero lists clear thermoplastic appliances on their site, consistent with standard at-home retainer offerings. If material grade is a priority for you, it's worth contacting them directly before ordering to confirm the specification of what you'll receive.
Both providers use a postal impression kit, meaning you press your teeth into putty-style trays at home, then return the moulds by post. This removes the need for an in-person appointment — a significant time and cost saving compared to going through a high-street dentist or orthodontist for a standard retainer.
With NewSmile, once your impressions are received, a telehealth clinical team assesses the moulds before production begins. If there's an issue with your impression — poor definition, bite misalignment, or incomplete coverage — you'll be contacted to redo it before a device is fabricated. Production then begins and your retainer or night guard is dispatched as soon as it's complete.
Bruxism — teeth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep — is common in the UK adult population. The NHS advises that a custom-fitted mouth guard is one of the primary ways to protect teeth from the damage bruxism causes over time. Over-the-counter boil-and-bite guards from pharmacies lack the precision fit of a lab-fabricated device, which affects both comfort and protective coverage.
The NewSmile night guard is a custom-fabricated, dental-grade appliance made directly from your impressions. At £109 for a pair, it sits at a fraction of the cost of a dentist-made night guard — which typically ranges from £200 to £500 through private UK practices — while using the same class of material.
Regardless of which brand you choose, retainer hygiene directly affects how long your appliance lasts and how safe it is to wear. The NHS recommends keeping dental appliances free from bacteria and plaque buildup. For NewSmile retainer wearers, the Petal Ultrasonic Cleaner paired with Petal Cleaning Pods provides a thorough, hands-free clean — far more effective than surface scrubbing, and safe for Essix thermoplastic.
Get a Custom Retainer or Night Guard for £109 — No Dentist Visit Needed.
NewSmile UK makes precision Essix retainers and dental-grade night guards from your home impression kit.
Yes — Smilero operates as a UK-based dental products provider via smilerodental.co.uk. They offer custom retainers and night guards through a postal impression process and include a 30-day guarantee. As with any at-home dental appliance company, it's worth reviewing their clinical oversight policies before ordering.
NewSmile UK charges £109 for a retainer pair and £109 for a night guard pair. Smilero's current pricing should be verified directly at smilerodental.co.uk, as promotional pricing can change. NewSmile's flat £109 structure has no hidden add-ons for the appliance itself.
No. Both NewSmile and Smilero operate direct-to-consumer and do not require a dentist's referral or clinic visit. You receive an impression kit by post, complete your impressions at home, return them, and your appliance is fabricated and dispatched. NewSmile's telehealth team reviews your impressions clinically before production begins.
Custom retainers made from dental-grade Essix thermoplastic — whether ordered online or through a practice — are fabricated from the same class of material. The quality of the impression you take at home is the primary variable. NewSmile includes clear instructions and will flag poor impressions before fabricating your device.
NewSmile includes a fit guarantee with every order. If your appliance doesn't fit correctly due to a fabrication issue, contact the support team to arrange a resolution. The telehealth review stage before production is specifically designed to catch impression problems before they lead to a poorly fitting device.
By Joanna M. | Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy
Quick Answer: Both Smilero and NewSmile UK offer at-hom...&media=//www.newsmilelife.co.uk/cdn/shop/articles/generated-image-1781435099870-0_f5673575-2815-4e73-a7a6-f4fa58fca38d_600x.jpg?v=1781437654){kind=link}