The most important step after orthodontic treatment is maintaining the position of your teeth to preserve their beautiful alignment. This requires appropriate methods and duration to prevent teeth from returning to their original state after braces are removed. The device used in this phase is called a "retainer" or "dental retainer," which comes in various types such as clear retainers, wire retainers, and metal retainers, allowing you to choose based on your specific needs and preferences. Retainer prices in Thailand are quite affordable compared to many other countries.
Your Guide to Dental Retainers in Thailand
A retainer is a device worn by patients after completing orthodontic treatment to keep teeth in their new, beautiful position. There are several types, including wire retainers, clear retainers, fixed retainers, and metal retainers, all designed to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions. Orthodontic patients must wear retainers for a period recommended by their orthodontist. Common questions include "Which type of retainer is best?" and "How many years should I wear a retainer?" which we will explain in this article.
Retainers are necessary due to the following factors:
After braces are removed, even though teeth look aligned, the bone and tissue around the tooth roots need approximately one year to build strong bone around the roots and complete tissue formation.
Teeth that fit together well have less chance of shifting. However, if orthodontic treatment exceeded certain limits, such as excessive jaw expansion or imbalance between forces from the tongue, lips, and cheeks, teeth may shift back.
The lower jaw continuously experiences bone resorption, especially around the lower front teeth, causing the jawline to gradually narrow. This is the main reason why front teeth crowd as people age.
The tongue, lips, cheeks, and chewing muscles affect tooth position. Certain behaviors like tongue thrusting, lip sucking, or abnormal muscle use can cause teeth to shift. Those with short lips, weak muscles, or abnormally large tongues have a higher risk of teeth moving back.
Maintain Your Perfect Smile — Get Retainers
Retainers come in both removable and fixed varieties. The choice depends on the condition of your teeth and orthodontist recommendations. Here are the details:
Wire retainers consist of:
Wire retainers come in several designs, such as Wrap around retainers and Hawley retainers. The Hawley retainer is a classic design with a wire that wraps around the front teeth, while the Wrap around retainer provides full coverage around all teeth for better stability. Your orthodontist will select the most appropriate wire retainer design for your dental condition. There are also palate-free retainers and gum-free retainers available.
Advantages | Limitations |
---|---|
Highly durable | The thickness of the acrylic plate may affect speech clarity initially |
The wire can be adjusted for a tighter fit over time | The wire is visible from the outside |
Clear retainers are made from high-quality transparent plastic that fits perfectly over your teeth. They can be produced either in-clinic/lab or manufactured by leading companies using dental scans, such as Vivera retainers by Invisalign. Those looking for affordable clear retainers can inquire about prices at nearby orthodontic clinics or search for "retainers near me" to find service providers.
Advantages | Limitations |
---|---|
Nearly invisible when worn | Shorter lifespan compared to wire retainers |
Protects teeth from grinding in patients with bruxism | Cannot be adjusted when they become loose |
Fixed retainers are attached to the back of teeth using metal wire bonded to the front teeth (typically the 6 front teeth, upper or lower). They are often used in cases with high risk of teeth shifting back to their original position, or for those who don't want to worry about forgetting to wear or losing their retainer.
Advantages | Limitations |
---|---|
No need for removal, constantly attached to teeth, eliminating concerns about forgetting to wear or losing it | Difficult to clean, requires special tools like interdental brushes |
Does not affect appearance as it's attached to the back of teeth, invisible from the outside | May cause initial discomfort, irritation to the tongue or gums |
Requires regular orthodontist checkups to monitor the condition of the wire and bonding | |
Risk of detachment or damage when eating hard or sticky foods |
Secure Your Smile Results
The tissue around tooth roots will be completely reorganized approximately 1 year after braces removal. During this period, you should wear your retainer at all times, except when eating and brushing your teeth.
Generally, you should wear your retainer full-time for about 1 year, then gradually reduce wearing time according to your orthodontist's instructions. For those who had significant dental irregularities corrected, such as severely rotated teeth or gaps throughout the mouth, longer retainer wear may be required.
A common question is "How many years should I wear a retainer?" The answer is that you should strictly wear your retainer for at least the first year, and afterward, you may wear it only at night as recommended by your orthodontist. Some orthodontists may recommend lifelong wear with reduced frequency to prevent teeth from becoming misaligned again.
Keep Your Teeth Beautifully Aligned — Get Retainers
We offer a variety of colors and designs for wire retainers. You can choose your preferred color and inform your orthodontist. Beautiful, quality Hawley and Wrap around retainers for only 2,000 THB each.
At CDC Dental, we use high-quality medical-grade plastic DURAN® imported from Germany. It's clear, strong, resistant to wear, flexible, and safe for oral use. We use advanced technology to form retainers that fit your teeth perfectly.
Vivera is a retainer produced by Invisalign, the world leader in clear aligners treatment.
At CDC Dental, we use digital scanning technology to capture your dental information, reducing discomfort from traditional impressions. Scan files are stored in our system, so if you need additional Vivera retainers in the future, we can use the original file immediately (if teeth haven't shifted significantly).
Special promotion: Vivera retainers, 3 pairs at 18,900 THB (from 30,000 THB) average price 3,150 THB each (Valid until September 30, 2025)
Smile Maintenance Made Easy — Order Retainers
If you need a retainer urgently and don't want to wait, CDC Dental can make clear retainers for you within 1 day. Our same day retainer Bangkok service is perfect for tourists or residents who need quick solutions.
Note: Please make an appointment in advance so our orthodontists can prepare for the fastest production.
If you need a retainer but are missing some teeth, retainers with artificial teeth are an option that helps maintain the position of your remaining teeth while adding prosthetic teeth where teeth are missing.
Caution: It is not recommended to eat while wearing retainers with artificial teeth. Always remove them before eating to prevent breakage and extend their lifespan.
Lock In Your Results — Schedule Retainer Fitting
Retainer Type | Price Range (THB) |
---|---|
Wire retainer (Hawley, Wrap around) | 2,000-2,500 |
Clear retainer (Standard) | 2,000-2,500 |
Clear retainer (Premium/Vivera) | 3,150+ |
Fixed retainer | 3,000-4,000 |
Choosing the right retainer depends on individual needs and dental conditions. Whether it's a clear retainer or a wire retainer like the popular Hawley retainer or Wrap around designs, your dentist will recommend the most suitable type to ensure long-lasting orthodontic results. The retainer price Thailand offers is quite reasonable compared to many Western countries, making it an excellent option for dental tourists. Learning about the types and prices of retainer teeth will help you make the best decision for your needs and budget.
LINE official: @BangkokDentist
Email: [email protected]
Add as Friend Follow us on Facebook Email Us
Chatuchak Dental Center Branch
Near BTS Saphan Khwai, close to Chatuchak, Ari, Phahonyothin, Pradiphat, Sutthisan
Tel: 097-925-2424
Ladprao 109 Branch (Formerly Parinya Dental Clinic)
Near Bang Kapi, Ladprao 109, Ladprao 107, Ladprao 101, RBAC, Ramkhamhaeng
Tel: 097-925-2442
Dentist