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Written by Joanna Marie Macute, Director of Telehealth Clinical Operations | Fact-Checked for Clinical Accuracy
If you've just had your braces removed — or if it's been years since your last retainer — you may be wondering exactly what a retainer is, why you need one, and which type is right for you. This guide covers everything UK patients need to know in 2026.
A retainer is a custom-made dental appliance designed to maintain the position of your teeth after orthodontic treatment. When braces or clear aligners are removed, your teeth have a natural tendency to shift back toward their original positions — a process called relapse. Retainers prevent this by holding teeth in place while the surrounding bone and tissue stabilise.
Without a retainer, teeth can begin shifting within days of treatment ending. This is true regardless of whether you had NHS braces, private braces, or clear aligners like those from NewSmile.
"The most common reason patients need to redo orthodontic treatment is not wearing their retainer consistently after the first course was complete."
The Essix retainer is the most widely prescribed type in 2026. It's a thin, clear thermoplastic tray that fits snugly over your teeth — similar in appearance to a clear aligner. It's nearly invisible when worn, comfortable, and easy to remove for eating and cleaning. Essix retainers are available from NewSmile from £109 with at-home impressions.
The Hawley retainer uses a metal wire that sits across the front of your teeth, attached to an acrylic plate that rests against your palate or along the inside of your lower jaw. It's durable and adjustable, and has been used for decades. Some patients prefer Hawleys for their longevity, though they are more visible than Essix retainers.
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back surface of your teeth — usually the lower front teeth. It's permanent and invisible from the front. The advantage is that you can't forget to wear it; the disadvantage is that cleaning around the wire requires extra care and the wire can occasionally debond. Fixed retainers are typically placed by your orthodontist at the end of treatment and are not available as an at-home option.
Lost, broken, or worn-out retainers are one of the most common dental purchases UK adults make. If your retainer no longer fits (because you haven't worn it for a period), you'll need new impressions taken — which NewSmile handles entirely by post.
Most orthodontists advise wearing retainers full-time for the first 3–6 months after treatment, then nightly for life. Teeth never fully stop shifting — lifetime retention is the standard of care in 2026.
Teeth will gradually shift back toward their pre-treatment positions. The longer the gap, the greater the relapse. Even a few weeks can cause a retainer to no longer fit.
Yes — for replacement Essix retainers. NewSmile provides at-home impression kits that allow you to take your own dental impressions and have a custom retainer fabricated without a clinic visit. This is suitable for replacement retainers, not for retainers following active orthodontic treatment.
Rinse with cool water after removal. Clean daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or retainer cleaning solution. Avoid hot water (which can warp the plastic) and toothpaste (which is abrasive).
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