Orthodontic Retainers · All Types In-House · Last reviewed May 2026
Keep Your Smile Aligned for Life.
Picasso Dental makes all orthodontic retainer types in-house: clear (Essix), Hawley, fixed bonded retainers, and Vivera retainers from Align Technology. For Picasso patients and any patient with completed orthodontic treatment elsewhere, we make replacement retainers using iTero scanning and supply them within 7 days.
Why Retainers Matter
Teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their original positions after orthodontic treatment, especially in the first year. Retainers hold them in the new aligned positions while the bone, gum and surrounding ligaments stabilise. Without retainers, relapse over 10 years is the rule, not the exception. Lifelong nightly wear preserves the result. Skipping retention is the single biggest cause of orthodontic relapse in adulthood.
The Four Retainer Types
Clear (Essix) Retainer
What: Thin transparent plastic tray covering all teeth, almost invisible when worn.
Pros: Lowest cost. Discreet. Easy to make and replace.
Cons: Wears out faster ( 2 years). Cannot be adjusted; if it stops fitting, replace.
Hawley Retainer
What: Wire across the front teeth, acrylic plate over the palate (upper) or lingual to the lower teeth.
Pros: Most durable ( 10 years). Adjustable by the orthodontist. Most reliable for keeping bite as well as alignment.
Cons: Visible front wire. Bulkier in the mouth. More speech adaptation initially.
Fixed (Bonded) Retainer
What: Thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth (typically lower 3-3 or upper 3-3, six teeth).
Pros: 24/7 retention without compliance dependency. Invisible. Lasts 20 years before rebonding or replacement.
Cons: Slightly more demanding hygiene around it. Can debond, occasional rebonding visits.
Vivera Retainer (Align Technology)
What: Premium clear retainer made by the makers of Invisalign. Stronger SmartTrack-equivalent material.
Pros: Lasts 4 times longer than standard clear. Comes in packs of 4, so replacements are ready. Same-day replacement if you lose one.
Cons: Higher cost.
Retainer Lifespan by Type
Per-jaw and both-jaws pricing for each retainer type is published on our cost guide. Pricing is itemised in your written quote.
| Type | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Clear (Essix) | 1–2 years |
| Hawley | 5–10 years |
| Fixed (Bonded) | 10–20 years |
| Vivera (4 sets, single arch) | 5–10 years (4 retainers) |
| Vivera (4 sets, both arches) | 5–10 years (4 retainers) |
| Vivera Premium (4 sets + replacements) | 10+ years coverage |
| Combined: Fixed + Clear (recommended) | 10+ years (fixed) + replace clear |
For most patients, a fixed retainer behind the lower front teeth combined with clear retainers worn nightly gives the best long-term retention. Vivera is recommended for patients who travel often or who have lost previous retainers.
How to Choose Your Retainer Type
The right retainer depends on your case, lifestyle and retention reliability.
Choose Clear (Essix) If
Budget is the priority. You're comfortable with a 2 year replacement cycle. You want the most discreet option. You can be reliable with nightly wear.
Choose Hawley If
You want maximum durability and adjustability. Your case has bite components that benefit from acrylic palatal coverage. You don't mind the visible wire across the front teeth.
Choose Fixed If
You have struggled with compliance or have lost previous retainers. You want continuous retention without thinking about it. Particularly common for the lower front teeth (the most prone to relapse).
Choose Vivera If
You want the most durable clear retainer. You want backup retainers ready at all times. You travel frequently and don't want to be without a retainer.
Choose Combined (Fixed + Clear) If
You want the best of both. Fixed retainer holds the lower front teeth permanently. Clear retainer worn nightly protects everything else. The most reliable long-term retention strategy.
What We Recommend by Default
Combined Fixed (lower 3-3) + Clear (both arches, nightly). This combination gives near-foolproof retention for most patients. See our cost guide for the combined-package price.
Caring for Your Retainer
Daily care extends the life and prevents drift.
Daily Cleaning
Clean with cool water and a soft toothbrush. Soak in retainer cleaning solution or denture solution daily. Brush gently around fixed retainers as you would around natural teeth.
Avoid Heat
Heat warps clear retainers. Never use hot water, dishwashers or boiling. Don't leave in a hot car. Don't drink hot drinks while wearing.
Avoid Bleach
Bleach damages clear plastic and metal components. Avoid hydrogen peroxide too unless specifically approved. Use products designed for retainers (Polident, Retainer Brite, etc.).
Storage
When not in mouth, always in the case. The single most common cause of lost retainers is wrapping them in a napkin at a restaurant, then accidentally throwing them away.
If Damaged or Tight
If your retainer cracks, warps or stops fitting comfortably, contact us. Continuing to force a non-fitting retainer can damage teeth or push them out of position. We replace promptly.
Travel
Always pack your retainer case in your hand luggage. If you only have one set and you lose it overseas, contact us, we can airmail a replacement using your iTero records on file.
Replacement Retainers (For Any Clinic's Patients)
If you completed orthodontic treatment anywhere in the world and need new retainers, we make all types in-house at Picasso Dental.
Why Replace?
You lost your previous retainer. The plastic cracked or warped. It no longer fits comfortably. You have moved to Vietnam and need local retainer service. Common scenarios for both expats and Vietnamese residents.
How We Replace
iTero 3D scan or impression of your current alignment. Produce the retainer type you prefer (clear, Hawley, Vivera). Fit and adjust at delivery. No need for prior records from your original clinic, we work from your current dentition.
Turnaround Time
Clear (Essix): 7 days. Hawley: 10 days. Fixed: same-day bonding (after iTero, 2-hour appointment). Vivera: 3 weeks (manufactured by Align Technology).
If You've Already Drifted
Mild shifting can be addressed by retainer-as-aligner (a clear retainer with a small movement built in). Moderate shifting may need a short Invisalign Lite course to re-align before retention, see our Invisalign cost guide. Significant relapse may need comprehensive retreatment.
Ongoing Maintenance
Once you have Picasso retainers, we maintain them with 6-monthly check-ins. Plastic retainers are replaced as they wear; fixed retainers checked for debonding. International patients retain digital records for remote replacement orders.
For Any Patient
You don't need to be a Picasso orthodontic patient. We make retainers for anyone needing them, locals, expats, international patients living in Vietnam, patients in transit. Just book an iTero scan appointment.
The Specialist Orthodontic Team
Specialist Orthodontist
Dr. Thuan Phung
Specialist orthodontist. Plans retention strategies as part of every comprehensive orthodontic case and supervises retainer fitting and follow-up.
Specialist Orthodontist
Dr. Toan Le (Dr. Mathew)
Specialist orthodontist. Particular focus on long-term retention, fixed retainers, and managing retreatment of cases that relapsed due to skipped retention.
Founding Clinical Director
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founder of the original clinic in 2013. Sets clinical standards for retention protocols and quality benchmarks group-wide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to wear retainers?
Teeth naturally tend to drift back toward their original positions after orthodontic treatment, especially in the first year. Retainers hold them in their new aligned positions while the surrounding bone, gum and ligaments stabilise. Without retainers, relapse over 10 years is the rule, not the exception.
How much do retainers cost in Vietnam?
Pricing varies by retainer type: clear (Essix), Hawley (wire and acrylic), fixed (bonded), and Vivera (Align Technology, 4 sets). Per-jaw and both-jaws pricing for each option is published on our cost guide.
How long do I need to wear retainers?
Lifelong, nightly. Modern orthodontic guidance is that retention is permanent. Most patients can drop from full-time wear in the first 6 months down to nightly wear thereafter, but skipping retainers entirely leads to gradual relapse.
What's the difference between clear and Hawley retainers?
Clear (Essix) retainers are thin transparent plastic trays that cover all teeth, almost invisible when worn. Hawley retainers have a wire across the front teeth and acrylic over the palate (or under the tongue for the lower), more visible but more durable and adjustable.
What is a fixed retainer?
A fixed retainer is a thin wire bonded to the back of the front teeth (typically lower 3-3 or upper 3-3, six teeth across). It cannot be removed, providing 24/7 retention without compliance dependency. We typically pair fixed retainers with removable ones for total reliability.
What are Vivera retainers?
Vivera retainers are made by Align Technology (the makers of Invisalign) using their proprietary SmartTrack-equivalent material. They are stronger and more durable than standard clear retainers, typically lasting 4 times longer. Vivera packages include 4 sets of retainers manufactured at the same time.
How often do clear retainers need replacement?
Standard clear (Essix) retainers typically last 2 years before showing signs of wear. Vivera retainers last 4 years. Hawley retainers last 10 years with care. Fixed retainers can last 20 years before needing rebonding or replacement.
What if I lost my retainer?
Contact us promptly. The longer you go without a retainer, the more your teeth drift. We can usually take a new iTero scan and produce a replacement clear retainer within 7 days. If you have Vivera, we can use the next set in your package.
Can I get retainers if I had braces or Invisalign elsewhere?
Yes. We make retainers for patients of any clinic. We do an iTero scan or impression of your current alignment and produce retainers in the type you prefer.
Should I wear retainers all day or just at night?
Initially full-time wear (22+ hours daily for 6 months) for newly aligned cases. Then nightly wear indefinitely. Some specialists recommend full-time wear for the first year. Your specialist orthodontist gives you a specific protocol based on your case.
What if my teeth have already shifted since treatment?
Mild shifting can sometimes be corrected with a new aligner-based retainer that incorporates a small movement. Moderate shifting may need a short Invisalign Lite course before retention, see our Invisalign cost guide. Significant relapse may require comprehensive retreatment.
Can I clean my retainers in the dishwasher or hot water?
No. Heat warps clear retainers. Clean with cool water and a soft toothbrush. Soak in retainer cleaning solution or denture solution daily. Avoid bleach, hot water, dishwashers and direct sunlight.
Related Pages
Orthodontics Hub
The complete orthodontic treatment overview, braces, Invisalign, ceramic, lingual, all options compared.
Invisalign
Picasso is a Platinum Elite Invisalign Provider. Invisalign cases include final retainers; we also make retainers for Invisalign patients of other clinics.
Crooked Teeth Treatment
If you have already drifted and want to correct it, the symptom-led decision page covering retreatment options.
Start Here
Get Replacement Retainers
Within 7 Days.
Tell us what you have and what you need. Lost retainer, worn out, or want to upgrade. Book an iTero scan, choose your retainer type, and we deliver promptly. Available for Picasso patients and patients of any other clinic.