How many
Coverage
Where you live
Rough range
$150–$600
National range, narrowed by area. Exams, x-rays, sedation and follow-ups are often billed separately.
Not a quote. Ask the dental office for a written estimate with procedure codes before you agree to anything.
Add the rest of your treatment plan →Low end
$150
Average
$300
High end
$600
- Without insurance
- $150–$600
- With insurance · out of pocket
- $50–$200
- Typical coverage
- Varies by plan
With dental insurance that covers it, out-of-pocket cost is often around $50–$200, depending on your plan, deductible and annual maximum.
What you are paying for
What goes into the cost of a retainer
A retainer usually costs between $150 and $600 without insurance, with about $300 typical. The fee covers taking the impression or scan, making the appliance and the fitting visit. Before budgeting, check two things. First, whether you owe anything at all: the first set of retainers is frequently included in the overall fee for braces, and the price above mostly applies to replacements or to retainers obtained separately. Second, whether a quote is for one arch or for upper and lower together, because offices state it both ways. Costs that come later are the ones people overlook. Clear retainers wear out and get lost, fixed wires occasionally need re-bonding, and some orthodontists charge for periodic retainer checks once active treatment has ended.
Ways the bill can come down
Ask your orthodontist whether retainers and any replacements are included in your treatment fee, and for how long. Ask whether the office keeps your scan so that a replacement can be made without a new appointment for records. Some offices sell several clear retainers together at a lower price each, or run a replacement program for a flat fee. If your dental plan has an orthodontic benefit, check whether retainers count toward it. The biggest saving is not losing or damaging them: keep a removable retainer in its case whenever it is out of your mouth, never wrapped in a napkin, and away from hot water, car dashboards and pets. Replace a lost one promptly, before teeth move.
Table 1 — Factors that affect retainer cost
Factors That Affect Retainer Cost
- 01
Type of retainer
Clear plastic trays are generally the least expensive to make. Wire-and-acrylic retainers involve hand work by a technician and cost more. Fixed wires are priced for the bonding appointment as well as the wire.
- 02
One arch or both
Upper and lower retainers are separate appliances, each made on its own model. Needing both roughly doubles the cost unless the office offers a set price.
- 03
First set or replacement
An initial set bundled into orthodontic treatment may cost you nothing further. A replacement after loss or breakage is charged, as is a retainer made by a new office that did not treat you.
- 04
Whether a new scan is needed
If the office has your digital model on file and your teeth have not moved, a replacement can be made from it. If not, a new scan or impression visit is added.
- 05
Repairs to a fixed retainer
Re-bonding a wire that has come loose from one tooth is a small charge. Replacing a broken wire across all the front teeth costs more.
Table 2 — Payment options
Payment Options
Dental Insurance
Plans usually pay part of the cost of covered procedures after a deductible, up to an annual maximum. Ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
Payment Plans
Many dentists offer in-house financing or work with CareCredit.
Dental Discount Plans
A yearly membership that gives reduced fees at participating dentists. Not insurance; check what it covers.
Dental Schools
Dental school clinics charge lower fees for care by supervised students. Appointments take longer.
Cost disclaimer
Cost estimates are based on national averages and may vary significantly based on your location, dentist, insurance coverage, and specific treatment needs. These figures are for informational purposes only and are not quotes or guarantees of pricing. Ask your dental office for a written estimate before treatment.