What are Essix clear retainers?

Essix retainers are thin, clear plastic retainers that fit snugly over your teeth to hold them in position after orthodontic treatment. They're the most popular type of retainer recommended by orthodontists and dentists worldwide.

Made from a clear PET-G (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) thermoplastic, Essix retainers are virtually invisible when worn and are custom-moulded to the exact shape of your teeth for a precise, comfortable fit.

Unlike fixed (bonded) retainers, Essix retainers are removable — making them easy to clean and comfortable to wear overnight.

The Retainers at Home process

Configure your order

Use our 6-step configurator to choose your arch (upper, lower, or both), thickness (1.0mm or 1.5mm), quantity (1–3 sets) and any add-ons. The whole process takes under 2 minutes and you'll see a live price update at every step.

✓ Choose upper only, lower only, or full set
✓ Select standard (1.0mm) or durable (1.5mm) thickness
✓ Multi-set discounts: 10% off 2 sets, 13% off 3 sets

Receive your impression kit

Within 2–3 business days, your impression kit arrives in the post. It contains everything you need: dental-grade putty, impression trays (S, M, L), mixing gloves, and a pre-paid Royal Mail return envelope.

✓ 2–3 day delivery from our UK warehouse
✓ Dental-grade materials — safe and non-toxic
✓ Full video and written instructions included

Take your impressions

Follow our step-by-step guide (or video) to take accurate impressions of your teeth at home. The process takes about 15 minutes and most customers get it right first time. If not, you have spare putty for a second attempt.

✓ Takes about 15 minutes
✓ Spare putty included for retakes
✓ Video tutorial available online

Post back — free

Once your impressions have set (30 minutes), pack them in the pre-paid return box and drop them at any Royal Mail post box or post office. Return postage is completely free.

✓ Free Royal Mail return postage included
✓ Drop at any post box or post office
✓ We email you when impressions arrive at our lab

Lab production (1 day)

Our qualified UK dental technicians scan your impressions and use professional pressure-forming equipment to thermoform your retainers to the exact shape of your teeth. Every retainer is trimmed, polished and quality-checked by hand.

✓ Made by qualified UK dental technicians
✓ Professional pressure-forming equipment
✓ Quality checked before dispatch

Delivery to your door

Your finished retainers are dispatched with tracked Royal Mail delivery. They arrive in a branded storage case, accompanied by full care and wear instructions. Most customers receive their retainers within 7–10 days of ordering.

✓ Tracked Royal Mail delivery included
✓ Arrives in branded storage case
✓ Full care and wear instructions included

Same quality as your dentist — for 80% less

Same material

We use the same Essix PET-G thermoplastic used by orthodontic practices across the UK and worldwide.

Same process

Professional pressure-forming equipment identical to that used in commercial dental labs — operated by qualified technicians.

Lower price

You save because you skip the clinical appointment, the dental practice margin, and the traditional lab markup.

How Clear Retainers Work