Digital Scans & Own Moulds Accepted
Production timelines, broken down by submission method.
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At-home Impressions
Order before 3pm today and your kit will be with you Next Working Day. Send it back and production takes one day. Your retainers ship the very next day and are with you the day after.
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Sending Digital Files
Send us your scans before 11:00am, and your retainers are made and shipped the same day. They’ll be with you the next working day.
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Sending Physical Models
We’ll email you a QR code to drop your models at any DPD ParcelShop at no cost. As soon as they arrive with us, it’s just one day in the lab, then straight out for shipping to arrive with you the next working day.
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1 Day Turnaround
14-day Fit Guarantee
Thickness Options
The UK's Fastest
Faster & Cheaper Than Your Dentist
Clinical-grade retainers made with UK and German medical materials by GDC technicians. Same quality your dentist orders. Wait days instead of weeks. Half the price, zero compromise on fit or durability.
Who Are These Retainers For?
Our custom essix retainers are designed for anyone who needs to maintain their orthodontic results or prevent teeth from shifting. Whether you've just finished treatment or completed it years ago, retainers are essential for keeping your smile straight.
✓ Post-Braces Patients
Just had your metal or ceramic braces removed? Congratulations! Now comes the crucial retention phase. Your teeth have spent months or years being guided into new positions, and they need time to stabilize in the surrounding bone. Essix retainers hold your teeth exactly where your orthodontist positioned them while the bone remodels around the new tooth positions. Most orthodontists recommend full-time wear (20-22 hours daily) for the first 3-6 months, then nightly wear indefinitely.
✓ Post-Invisalign & Clear Aligner Users
Completed Invisalign, Smile Direct Club, or another clear aligner treatment? Your teeth are now in their ideal positions, but without retention, they'll gradually shift back toward their original positions, a process called orthodontic relapse. Essix retainers (similar to Vivera retainers) are the gold standard for maintaining aligner treatment results. They're virtually identical to your final aligners but made from more durable medical-grade material designed for long-term wear.
✓ Replacing Lost or Damaged Retainers
Lost your retainer down the drain, left it on a restaurant table, or let the dog find it? You're not alone—retainer loss is incredibly common. The problem? Every day without a retainer allows your teeth to shift slightly. By day 3-4, patients often notice their retainer feels tight when they try to wear it again. By week 2, some retainers won't fit at all. Don't risk losing months or years of orthodontic work. Get replacement retainers made quickly using your existing dental scans, impressions, or our free impression kit.
✓ Long-Term Orthodontic Maintenance
Finished orthodontic treatment 5, 10, or even 20 years ago? Your retention journey isn't over. Teeth naturally shift throughout life due to age-related changes, wisdom teeth pressure, teeth grinding, bone remodeling, and everyday bite forces. Many adults who stop wearing retainers notice their teeth gradually crowding or spacing, especially lower front teeth. Wearing retainers 2-3 nights per week (or as your orthodontist recommends) helps maintain your investment and prevents the need for re-treatment.
✓ Preventing Orthodontic Relapse
Already experiencing slight tooth movement after stopping retainer wear? Acting quickly is crucial. Teeth shift gradually at first, then accelerate if left unchecked. Custom essix retainers can help stabilize teeth at their current positions and, with consistent wear, may guide slightly shifted teeth back toward their original positions. The sooner you resume retention, the better your chances of avoiding costly re-treatment. If you have old impressions or scans (less than 2 years old), we can use them. Otherwise, our free impression kit captures your current tooth positions.
✓ Minor Alignment Maintenance
Never had braces but want to prevent minor shifting? While retainers aren't a substitute for orthodontic treatment, they can help maintain relatively straight teeth and prevent age-related changes. Some patients use retainers preventatively to stop minor crowding from worsening, especially lower front teeth that tend to crowd with age. Consult with a dentist or orthodontist first to ensure retainers are appropriate for your situation.
✓ Orthodontist-Prescribed Retention
Your orthodontist prescribed retainers but quoted £200-£400 for essix retainers? You can get the same quality retainers for half the price by ordering direct from our GDC-registered laboratory. We accept referrals from dental professionals and work with the same digital workflows they use. Upload STL files from your practice's intraoral scanner or send physical models. Many dentists and orthodontists now recommend our service to their cost-conscious patients.
✓ Gap Closure Maintenance
Had gaps between your teeth closed with braces or bonding? Gaps have a strong tendency to reopen without proper retention, especially the space between upper front teeth (diastema). Essix retainers apply gentle, consistent pressure to keep closed spaces shut while bone fills in around the moved teeth. This is particularly important in the first year after gap closure when relapse risk is highest.
✓ International Patients & Expats
Living in the UK but had orthodontic treatment abroad? Or are you a UK resident who completed treatment overseas and need maintenance retainers? We can work with your existing records regardless of where treatment was completed. Send us your STL files, 3D printed models from your previous provider, or use our free impression kit. No need to find a new orthodontist just for retainers.
Retainer FAQs
Essix retainers typically last 6 to 18 months, depending on how they’re used and cared for. The 1 mm option may wear out sooner, especially if worn during the day or while clenching. The 1.5 mm offers a bit more durability.
Heat, harsh cleaning products, biting pressure, and poor storage can all wear a retainer down faster. Clean it gently and always store it in its case.
If your appliance doesn’t fit as expected, simply let us know within 14 days of delivery. We’ll assess your case and, if needed, remake your appliance free of charge to ensure a perfect fit. This guarantee applies as long as your impressions or scan data meet our required quality standards.
Replace your retainer if it becomes loose, warped, cracked or discoloured. If it doesn’t fit properly or doesn’t stay in place, it’s no longer doing its job.
1 mm is lower profile and more discreet. 1.5 mm offers more durability and is better for stronger bite pressure. Both are clear and comfortable. Choose what fits your routine best.
No. Retainers hold your teeth in place after straightening. They’re not designed to move teeth. If your teeth have shifted, a new treatment may be needed before getting retainers.
They’re made from high-quality, medical-grade plastic. It’s BPA-free, clear, and designed to be strong, safe and comfortable for everyday wear.
Yes. If you need an invoice for dental, health, or other insurance claims, we can provide a detailed invoice showing your order, product type, and payment confirmation. Simply email our support team after placing your order, and we’ll issue the invoice in the format required for insurance submission.
You’ll receive an email after purchase: simply reply with your scan files, or use your free prepaid label to post your 3D models.
Our retainers cover your teeth up to and including your second back teeth. They do not extend to wisdom teeth. This provides optimal retention and comfort while maintaining the alignment of your visible smile.
Your kit includes materials for three attempts, so you’ve got plenty of chances to get it right. If you need more, we’ll happily send extra.
Your comfort matters. If your retainers aren’t the right fit, we’ll provide one free remake to make sure they’re perfect for you.
GDC Registered
UK based dental technicians registered with the GDC
MHRA Compliant
Our lab products are registered and comply with the MHRA
Made for Dentists
We have the same type of lab that UK dentists buy from
The UK's Fastest
We pride ourselves on being the fastest on the UK market
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