Frequently Asked Questions

Click 'Order Your Retainers' on any page to open our 6-step configurator. Choose your arch, thickness, quantity and any add-ons, agree to our terms, then proceed to checkout. The whole process takes under 5 minutes.

Yes. You can order an upper retainer only (£69), lower only (£69), or the upper + lower set together (£109 — a saving of £30.98 vs buying separately). Each is a separate product and they're all custom-made to your impressions.

Yes — add our 'Keep on File' option (£20) to your order and we'll digitally store your dental impressions. Future replacement orders can then be dispatched without you needing to send new impressions.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. All payments are securely processed via Stripe.

Yes. Our checkout is powered by Stripe, a PCI DSS Level 1 certified payment processor. Your card details are never stored on our servers — they go directly to Stripe's encrypted systems.

After ordering, we post you a dental impression kit containing dental-grade putty, trays (S, M, L), gloves and a pre-paid return envelope. You mix the putty, press it into a tray over your teeth for 3 minutes, and post it back. We have a full guide with photos and a video tutorial to help.

Yes. We use professional-grade dental impression putty that is non-toxic, latex-free and FDA-registered. It is not edible but is completely safe to use in your mouth following the included instructions.

We include spare putty in every kit for this exact reason. If you're still not satisfied with your impressions after a second attempt, contact us and we'll post replacement putty free of charge.

The putty begins to firm after about 2–3 minutes and fully sets within the 3-minute hold time. We recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after removing the impression before packing it to post.

Yes — if you have existing dental moulds or STL digital scan files, contact us before ordering and we can discuss using these as the basis for your retainers.

We use the same professional Essix PET-G (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) thermoplastic used by orthodontic practices across the UK. This is the same material your dentist or orthodontist would use.

1.0mm retainers are thin and discreet — ideal for everyday or nighttime wear. 1.5mm retainers are thicker and more durable, making them better suited to people who grind their teeth (bruxism) or who want a longer-lasting option. The 1.5mm upgrade costs £8.99 per set.

With proper care, clear retainers typically last 12–18 months. If you grind your teeth, 1.5mm retainers will last significantly longer. How long they last depends on how often they're worn, how well they're cleaned, and whether you grind your teeth.

Yes — we use the same materials and the same type of professional pressure-forming equipment used in commercial dental labs. Our technicians are qualified dental lab professionals. The only difference is we remove the clinical appointment and dental practice margin.

Yes, if worn as directed. Retainers hold teeth in position after orthodontic treatment. For the best results, wear them every night. If you haven't worn a retainer for some time, your teeth may have shifted — in which case a retainer may not fit as expected and you should consult your dentist.

Vivera retainers (made by Invisalign) are premium clear retainers available only through an Invisalign provider, typically costing £400–£600. Our custom Essix clear retainers use the same medical-grade PET-G material, are made in a certified UK dental lab, and cost from £69. For a full comparison, see our Vivera retainers guide.

Yes — our most common customers are people who have recently finished braces or Invisalign and need a replacement or first set of clear retainers. You take impressions at home, post them back to our UK lab, and receive your retainers in 7–10 days. No dentist visit needed. See our full retainers after braces guide.

In some cases, yes — if the movement is minor and recent, a retainer can gently guide teeth back toward their original position. However, if significant time has passed or your teeth have moved substantially, the retainer may no longer fit and a new one will be needed. Always consult your dentist or orthodontist if you're unsure. For more detail, read our blog article on whether retainers can move teeth back.

From ordering to receiving your finished retainers usually takes 7–10 working days. This includes: 2–3 days for your kit to arrive, 1–2 days to take and post impressions, 1–2 days in transit back to our lab, 1 day for lab production, and 1–2 days for delivery of your finished retainers.

Our standard timeline is already fast — 1-day lab production is included in every order. If you need retainers urgently, contact us before ordering and we'll do our best to help.

Currently we ship impression kits to UK mainland addresses only and deliver finished retainers to UK mainland addresses. We're working on international shipping — sign up to our mailing list to be notified when available.

Finished retainers are dispatched via tracked Royal Mail. You'll receive an email with your tracking number when your order is dispatched. You can track your parcel at royalmail.com.

If your retainers don't fit correctly, contact us within 60 days of receiving them and we'll remake them free of charge. This covers cases where impressions were accurate but the retainers don't fit as expected. We'll keep remaking until the fit is right.

If impressions are clearly inaccurate (major air bubbles, missing teeth, severe distortion) we'll contact you before starting production. In most cases we'll ask you to retake the impressions and post new ones.

Because retainers are custom-made to your dental impressions, we cannot accept returns once made. However, our 60-day fit guarantee means if they don't fit correctly, we'll remake them free of charge.

Contact us within 48 hours of receipt with photos and we'll send replacement retainers free of charge. This is extremely rare as we package retainers carefully for transit.

Rinse with cold water morning and evening. For a deeper clean, soak in retainer cleaning tablets (like Retainer Brite) for 15–20 minutes, or use an ultrasonic cleaner. Gently brush with a soft toothbrush and mild soap if needed. Avoid toothpaste — it's too abrasive.

We don't recommend mouthwash for cleaning — it can stain or discolour clear retainers over time, especially alcohol-based formulas.

Rinse daily. Perform a deeper clean (soak or ultrasonic) at least once a week.

Cloudiness is typically caused by calcium build-up from saliva. Soak in a retainer cleaner or white vinegar solution (1:1 with water) for 30 minutes. Regular cleaning will prevent this.