Types of Retainers
Once your braces come off or your Invisalign treatment is complete, a retainer is what keeps your teeth in their new position. Without one, teeth have a natural tendency to drift back over time. The type that suits you best depends on your teeth, your treatment, and how you’re likely to manage it in your everyday life.
In Summary:
- The three types of orthodontic retainers are: Hawley, Essix, and fixed.
- Most patients finish with a combination of both: a fixed retainer on the lower teeth and a removable one for the upper arch.
- Retainers are included in every treatment plan here at Orthodontics at Parramatta, with no additional costs.
Why Does Your Retainer Type Matter?
After orthodontic treatment, the bone and tissue around your teeth are still settling into their new position. A retainer holds everything in place during that process, and ideally long after. The right type makes that easier to stick to, which is why it’s worth understanding your options.
The Three Main Types of Retainers
Hawley Retainer
The Hawley retainer is one of the oldest designs in orthodontics, and it’s still widely used for good reason. It’s a removable appliance with a hard acrylic base custom-moulded to the roof of the mouth and a metal wire that runs across the front teeth to hold them in position.
- Cons: The wire is visible when worn, and it’s bulkier than a clear retainer.
- Pros: Durable, adjustable, and repairable if damaged.
Essix Retainer
The Essix retainer is a thin, clear plastic tray that fits over the full arch with no visible wire. It’s near-invisible when worn, and if you’ve been through Invisalign treatment, the look and feel will already be familiar. It needs to be removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, and cleaning.
Our Essix retainers are made using an in-house 3D scanner, built from a precise digital model of your teeth in their corrected position.
- Cons: Can crack or warp with heat, cannot be adjusted after it’s made, and needs replacing over time.
- Pros: Near-invisible when worn, comfortable, and no metal components.
Fixed (Permanent) Retainer
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of the teeth, typically the lower front six. Because it’s bonded in place, it works continuously without the patient needing to do anything, making it a reliable long-term option.
Our fixed lingual retainers are fitted for all patients completing treatment, custom-made from a 3D scan of the teeth in their corrected position and bonded with tooth-coloured material that sits flat against the tongue.
- Cons: Flossing requires a threader or water flosser, and a loose wire needs professional repair.
- Pros: Invisible, works passively, and is well-suited to teeth with a higher risk of shifting.
Removable vs Fixed: Which Is Better?
Most patients end up with both: a fixed retainer handles the lower teeth without any daily effort, while a removable retainer looks after the upper arch.
| Removable (Hawley or Essix) | Fixed/Permanent | |
| Visibility | Hawley has a visible wire; Essix is near-invisible | Completely hidden |
| Maintenance | Remove and clean separately | Floss threader or water flosser required |
| Cost | Needs replacing over time | One-off cost, long-lasting if maintained |
| Durability | Essix cracks over time; Hawley is very durable | Long-lasting if bonding stays intact |
| Who it suits | Upper arch; patients who prefer a removable option | Lower arch; higher relapse risk |
How Do You Care for Each Type of Retainer?
Hawley
- Rinse with cool water each time you remove it
- Clean daily with a soft toothbrush and mild soap rather than toothpaste
- Keep it in its case when not worn and away from heat
Essix
- Rinse every time you take it out
- Clean with mild soap or a dedicated retainer cleaner
- Avoid mouthwash, which degrades the plastic over time
- Keep it away from heat
Fixed
- Regular check-ups allow the bonding to be examined and any issues to be caught early
- Brush carefully along the wire twice a day
- Use a floss threader or water flosser to clean between the teeth under the wire
How Much Do Retainers Cost in Australia?
At Orthodontics at Parramatta, retainers and 24 months of post-treatment care are included in every treatment plan, with no additional costs once treatment is complete.
For patients seeking retainers independently, general market rates in Australia are roughly:
| Retainer Type | Approximate Cost |
| Essix (clear removable) | $200 to $500 per arch |
| Hawley (wire and acrylic) | $300 to $600 per arch |
| Fixed/permanent | $300 to $600 per arch |
Talk to a Specialist About Your Retainer Options
Retention is planned from the very start of every treatment we do. If you’d like to see the kind of results we achieve, our smile gallery is a good place to start, and you can find out more about retainers or our team whenever you’re ready.
To get started, book a consultation online or call us on 02 7803 7803.
Book Your Braces Consultation With Us Today
From our clinic in Parramatta, our team can offer guidance to help you decide if braces are right for you.
Book an appointment online, or call 02 7803 7803 to discuss your treatment pathways with our team
FAQs
Most patients leave with a fixed retainer bonded behind the lower teeth and a removable clear retainer for the upper arch. Your orthodontist will recommend what suits your specific treatment outcome.
- First few months: around 22 hours a day, removed only for eating and cleaning.
- After six to twelve months: most patients move to nights only, depending on how their teeth are settling.
Get in touch with your orthodontist as soon as you can, as a tooth can start shifting within days of the wire lifting.
Use a floss threader to guide dental floss underneath the wire between each tooth. A water flosser is also effective and easier to build into a daily routine.
A fixed retainer is completely invisible since it sits behind the teeth. In the removable options, an Essix retainer is near-invisible when worn, while a Hawley retainer has a visible wire across the front teeth.
