Retainer Cost in Dubai: Replacing a Lost, Broken or Fixed Retainer
A retainer is the cheapest part of orthodontics and the part people most often lose. This page explains what changes the cost of a new, replacement or repaired retainer.
- Specialist orthodontists
- Retainers for patients treated elsewhere
- Written, itemised plan
If your teeth have moved, the orthodontist explains whether a retainer alone is still enough.
How much does a retainer cost in Dubai?
Retainer cost in Dubai depends on the type, a bonded wire behind the teeth or a removable retainer, whether one or both arches need one, whether a new scan is needed, and whether your teeth have already moved. Replacing a lost removable retainer when teeth are still straight is the simplest case. At Creative Arts our specialist orthodontists check the fit and the teeth first, and each item appears on a written plan.
Who treats you here Dr. Muhannad Kazzaz Specialist Orthodontist · Dr. Valeriia Kozachenko Specialist Orthodontist
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What changes the retainer cost in Dubai?
Two people asking for "a new retainer" may need very different things. These are the items that move the total. Relative terms only, because the plan follows what the orthodontist finds.
| What changes | Why it changes the cost | Typical effect |
|---|---|---|
| Removable retainer, one arch | Made from a scan of your teeth; the simplest replacement | Lower |
| Removable retainers, both arches | Two appliances instead of one | Higher |
| Bonded (fixed) wire | A thin wire bonded behind the front teeth in the chair | Per arch |
| Repairing a bonded wire | Re-bonding one loose point is a smaller job than replacing the whole wire | Lower than replacement |
| A new scan | Needed if there is no recent digital record of your teeth in their corrected position | Adds a step |
| Teeth that have already moved | A retainer holds teeth where they are; it does not move them back | May need treatment before a retainer |
| Treated at another clinic | Previous records help; without them, a fuller assessment is needed | Assessment varies |
Published retainer prices in Dubai vary widely, partly because some quote one arch and others a pair, or include several spare sets. Our guide to dental costs in Dubai explains how quotes are built across treatments.
How much is a replacement retainer?
If your teeth are still where your orthodontic treatment left them, a replacement removable retainer is usually straightforward: your teeth are scanned, the retainer is made to that scan and fitted, and the fit is checked. The cost then depends mainly on whether you need one arch or both.
It becomes a bigger question when the old retainer has been lost for a while. A retainer made to teeth that have drifted will hold them in their new position, not the corrected one. Forcing an old, tight retainer back in can also be uncomfortable or damage it. So the first step at Creative Arts is to look at your teeth and bite and compare them with your records, if you have them. If the movement is small, a new retainer may be all you need; if not, our retainers page explains the options for teeth that have shifted, and the guide to teeth shifting in adults explains why it happens.
Fixed vs clear retainer price: what you are paying for
Neither type is right for everyone, and many people have both. Your orthodontist recommends retention for your bite and history.
| Bonded (fixed) retainer | Clear removable retainer | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A thin wire bonded behind the front teeth | A clear, close-fitting tray made from a scan |
| Wear | Always in place; nothing to remember | Worn as instructed, often nights only after the first phase |
| Upkeep | Cleaning around and under the wire with floss threaders or interdental brushes | Daily cleaning of the retainer; careful storage |
| Common problems | A bond point coming loose, sometimes unnoticed | Loss, cracking, warping from heat, or not wearing it |
| Cost over time | Occasional repair or re-bonding | Replacement when it is lost, cracked or worn |
A 2023 Cochrane review found the evidence on retainers to be low or very low certainty, with no single approach shown to be best. Part-time clear removable retainers allowed slightly more relapse than fixed retainers, but not a clinically significant amount, failed less often and were linked to better gum health. The comparison of fixed vs removable retainers explains the choice in more detail.
Are retainers included in braces or Invisalign fees?
It depends on the clinic and the plan, which is why it is worth asking before treatment starts. These are the questions that matter.
- The first retainersAsk whether the retainers fitted at the end of treatment are part of the braces or Invisalign fee. See braces cost and Invisalign cost.
- Spares and replacementsAsk whether a spare set is included, and what a replacement costs if one is lost or broken.
- Retention reviewsAsk how long retention check-ups continue after the braces or aligners come off.
- Repairs to a bonded wireAsk whether re-bonding a loose wire within the retention period is covered.
What if you lost your retainer abroad or while travelling?
- Wear an older retainer if it still fits without pain. If it feels very tight or rocks, do not force it.
- Contact your orthodontist promptly. Teeth can begin to move within days or weeks, especially in the first months after treatment ends.
- Ask your previous clinic for your records. A recent digital scan of your corrected teeth is useful to whoever makes the replacement.
- Book a check when you are back in Dubai. The orthodontist looks at your teeth, scans them and explains whether a new retainer is enough.
Keeping a spare removable retainer is cheap insurance for people who travel often. Clean and store retainers carefully; our guide on how to clean a retainer covers what damages them.
The cost of not wearing it
Teeth tend to drift towards their old positions after orthodontic treatment, and they keep changing slowly throughout life, which is why retention is long-term. A retainer costs a small fraction of a second course of braces or aligners. If yours is lost, broken or no longer fits, replacing it promptly is usually the least expensive choice.
The specialist orthodontists who fit and review retainers
Retainers, retention reviews and teeth that have moved are assessed by our two specialist orthodontists, including for patients treated at other clinics.
Sources
Clinical statements on this page are consistent with these independent sources. They describe averages from studies, not a promise for any one patient.
- Martin C, Littlewood SJ, Millett DT, et al.. Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2023.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a replacement retainer in Dubai?
It depends on whether you need one arch or both, whether a new scan is needed, and whether your teeth have moved since the old retainer was lost. If the teeth are still straight, a replacement removable retainer is the simplest case. At Creative Arts the teeth are checked first, and each item is listed on a written plan.
Is a fixed retainer more expensive than a clear retainer?
They are priced differently because they are different appliances: a fixed wire is bonded in the chair, while a clear retainer is made from a scan. Over the years, fixed retainers may need occasional re-bonding and removable ones replacing when lost or worn. Many people have both, and the orthodontist recommends what suits your bite.
Are retainers included in the braces or Invisalign price?
It varies between clinics and plans. Ask before treatment whether the first retainers are included, whether a spare set is provided, how long retention reviews continue, and what a replacement costs. At Creative Arts these points are set out on your written orthodontic plan.
I lost my retainer abroad. What should I do?
Wear an older retainer if it still fits without pain, but do not force a tight one. Contact your orthodontist promptly, because teeth can begin to move within days or weeks, especially soon after treatment. Ask your previous clinic for your digital scan, and book a check when you return so a new retainer can be made.
My teeth moved after I stopped wearing my retainer. Will a new retainer fix it?
A retainer holds teeth where they are; it does not move them back. If the movement is small, a new retainer may be enough to stop it getting worse. If the change bothers you, the orthodontist explains whether a short course of aligners or braces is needed first, then a new retainer.
Can I get a retainer in Dubai if I had braces at another clinic?
Yes. Our specialist orthodontists see patients treated elsewhere for retainers and for teeth that have shifted. Bring any records you have, such as a recent scan or treatment summary. Without records, the orthodontist assesses your teeth and bite as they are now before recommending a retainer.
Related treatments
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