How Much Do Retainers Cost With & Without Insurance?

Retainers vary in cost depending on the type of retainer you get, ranging from $300 to $5,000. Like braces or aligners, retainers might be partially covered by your dental insurance.

Quick Facts about the Cost of Retainers

• Without dental insurance, retainers can cost around $300, with the most expensive options costing around $5,000.
• If you have coverage for orthodontic treatment, the cost of your retainer may be fully or partially covered by insurance.
• Factors that affect the cost of retainers include the provider you choose for aligners, the durability of your retainer, and how much it will cost to replace.
• Many at-home clear aligner providers offer retainers after treatment. Some (including Byte) will provide you with your first retainer for free and offer hassle-free protection plans for fast and affordable retainer replacement.

The Cost of Retainers Without Dental Insurance

When you first look at the cost of a retainer, you may see the upfront cost, which does not include any coverage provided by your dental insurance. The cost can vary depending on what type of retainer is recommended. The lowest cost is around $300, while the highest cost is as much as $5,000.

Check with your orthodontist for a discount at times of $50 to $150 off the total for ordering two sets of retainers at once. You’ll then have a backup set.

Here is the cost breakdown for different types of retainers:

Retainers Might Be Partially Covered by your Dental Insurance

Dental insurance may treat your adulthood orthodontics treatment as a cosmetic (rather than a medical) procedure, so you may struggle to get the right amount of financial coverage for your needs. Some dental insurance plans cover up to half the cost of your overall orthodontics treatment, which should include the cost of retainers. 

Combining insurance coverage with a payment plan can help you manage the cost over a few months or years, depending on the extent of orthodontics treatment you need. 

Some dental insurance plans allow you to add a health savings plan or a discount plan, which can help lower the cost of orthodontics treatment when you use in-network, well-respected orthodontists.

Additionally, some dental insurance companies offer specific coverage for braces and retainers, called orthodontic insurance. These plans can support the cost of braces, aligners, retainers, and other orthodontic devices that might be needed.

Why Should I Pay for a Retainer?

If you had braces as a child, you may be familiar with retainers. These are typically metal and plastic devices that fit around your teeth to keep them from shifting after braces have been removed or treatment with other orthodontic treatment like clear aligners has been completed. 

Children and teenagers who need retainers may wear them for a few months and then no longer need them. However, it is common for teeth to shift over your life. You may find that, as an adult, you return to orthodontic treatment with clear teeth aligners or braces and then need a retainer.

You may consider opting out of getting a retainer if you pursue orthodontics treatment simply because of the added cost. Rather than paying for an expensive device, you may decide to quit once your teeth have been aligned. 

Retainers are important for keeping your teeth aligned, so you do not need to pursue another round of orthodontics treatment later in life. Even if a retainer appears costly upfront, it can save you money in the long run.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Retainers

When beginning orthodontic treatment, your retainer (and especially the cost of your retainer) may be the last thing on your mind. However, retainers are a necessity after any type of orthodontic treatment, and their cost is something you should consider before even beginning your braces or aligner treatment.

Factors that affect the cost of retainers may include the following:

• Your retainer provider: Many individuals will get their retainers from the same provider they received treatment from, often an orthodontist or clear aligner provider. While many at-home clear aligner providers tend to be straightforward about their retainer pricing, in-office providers may not provide you with many options unless you ask.\ \ Whether you’re going with clear aligners or traditional braces, be sure that you have a full understanding of your retainer options and what your retainer will cost.
• Fixed or removable: Fixed retainers, installed by an orthodontist, may be more costly than your average removable retainer. However, insurance may cover some of the costs, depending on your plan.
• Durability and replacement: How easily your retainer is damaged or broken — and how much it will cost to replace — should also be considered when weighing the costs of different retainers. For example, acrylic Essix retainers are generally easier to damage than Hawley retainers, and they are often more costly to replace.
• Retainer protection plans: Some retainer and/or clear aligner providers, including Byte, offer affordable protection plans to ensure that a new retainer will be sent to you fast, without a huge surprise cost, if you lose or damage your existing retainer.
• Insurance coverage: Check with your insurance provider regarding how much your out-of-pocket costs will be on your retainer and also how much a replacement will cost.

At-Home Aligner Treatment May Give You a Free Retainer

Although your dental insurance may cover some cost of your orthodontics treatment, including retainers, you may find that standard treatment is too expensive. Fortunately, there are several companies that now offer at-home, over-the-counter orthodontics treatment with customized clear plastic aligners. 

These aligners may not be covered by your insurance, but an aligner treatment plan often costs less than most braces or traditional aligners. Many companies offer a free retainer once your treatment is complete.

References

Retainers for Teeth: What Are They and Why Wear Them? Colgate. Date fetched: May 24, 2021. 

How Much Do Retainers Cost? Costhelper. Date fetched: May 24, 2021.

Best Dental Insurance for Braces. (May 2021). Investopedia. Date fetched: May 24, 2021.

Retainer Replacement: How Much Is It and When Do You Need It?  (November 2021). Dentaly.org.