Retainers
Maintaining Your Smile after Braces

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A comparison chart showing costs, durability, pros, and cons of Essix, Vivera, Hawley, and fixed retainers for dental retention.
A dental aligner case shaped like a mouth with clear aligners inside, next to a pink ice cream cone with colorful sprinkles on a white marble surface.

🦷 Why Do I Need To Wear Retainers?

After braces treatment, wearing retainers is essential to maintain your teeth in their new, straight positions. Retainers help prevent teeth from being crooked again - a process known as relapse.

Some retainers also serve a secondary purpose: protecting your teeth from damage caused by grinding (bruxism), a fairly common condition among adults today.


⏰ How Often Should I Wear My Retainers?

Every patient is different, and we’ll guide you on the right schedule during your consultation.

For most cases:

  • Full-time wear (20–22 hours per day) for the first 1–3 months after treatment

  • Night-time wear or 8 to 12 hours thereafter, as advised by your dentist

Consistent wear helps keep your teeth stable and prevents even subtle shifting over time.

🧼 How Do I Take Care of My Retainers?

  1. Rinse with cool water after each use

  2. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and water (avoid hot water)

  3. Use retainer cleaning tablets occasionally for a deeper clean

  4. Store in a ventilated case when not in use

  5. Bring your retainers to each dental check-up for cleaning, fit checks, and adjustments

🧩 What Are the Different Types of Retainers Available?

There are four commonly used types, each with unique advantages and considerations. On this page, you’ll find more information on pricing, durability, and design features.

Do note: It’s always best to seek advice from our dentists to determine which retainer is most suitable for you.

Standard Retainers (Essix)

Illustration of a row of adult teeth with dental braces.

Essix retainers are clear plastic retainers that fit over your teeth to keep them straight after braces. They have been used reliably for many years and remain one of the more popular types of retainers today.

Most locally made retainers in Singapore are Essix retainers. Because they’re manufactured locally, they can often be produced within a few days, or even on the same day for added convenience.

Lifespan: 6 months to 1.5 years

Vivera Retainers

An open round jewelry box with a flower design inside the lid, containing a pearl necklace.

Vivera retainers are the gold standard of all clear retainers. Made with an advanced multi-layered plastic, they are significantly stronger than most locally-made retainers.

If you find your Essix retainers breaking too quickly, Vivera retainers are a more durable and reliable option.

Lifespan: 1.5 to 2.5 years

Fixed Retainer

An illustration of the upper jaw and roof of a mouth showing teeth and a wire orthodontic retainer.

A fixed retainer, also known as a permanent retainer, is usually made of a thin stainless steel wire that is custom-fitted to the back of the front teeth. Because it sits behind the teeth, it is invisible when you talk or smile.

Fixed retainers are designed to stay in place indefinitely, helping to keep your teeth from shifting back to their original positions.

Lifespan: Several years, regular checks required.

Hawley Retainer 

Illustration of a dental model showing the upper and lower teeth, with the lower teeth and gums visible.

A Hawley retainer is a removable retainer used after orthodontic treatment. It is made of a thin metal wire that runs across the front of your teeth, held in place by an acrylic (plastic) base.

The wire can be adjusted by the dentist to ensure a proper fit and to make minor corrections if needed.

Lifespan: 3 to 5 years, with 6 monthly adjustments at the clinic

Brighter, healthier smiles.