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Hawley Retainers

December 2024

Why we need retainersHawley retainers prosHawley retainers consHow long will I wear a retainerHawley retainers costHawley retainers vs Vivera

Hawley retainers are among the most popular types of retainers.1 Made from a combination of acrylic plastic and a metal device, they are removable and easily adjustable.2 They sit on the roof of your mouth and provide support to your teeth3 to keep them in place, preventing movement after orthodontic treatment such as braces or clear aligners.4

Why do we need retainers anyway?

If you’re currently wearing (or expecting to wear) braces or clear aligners, you should expect to wear a retainer once your treatment is complete. We need retainers because our teeth are constantly shifting throughout our lives.5 Retainers keep smiles straight and beautiful after braces or aligners by preventing teeth from moving back to their original position3 and giving the bones and other parts of your mouth time to stabilize and adjust after straightening.6

Benefits of Hawley retainers

Hawley retainers are recommended by orthodontists for a variety of reasons:

  • Removable – Hawley retainers are quick and easy to remove at any time.7

  • Cleaning – Because they are removable, Hawley retainers can be easier to clean than other types, especially fixed retainers.7

  • Oral health – Taking care of your teeth is easier with Hawley retainers when compared to fixed retainers.7

  • Customizable – Make your retainer an extension of your personality with custom color choices.8

Hawley retainer drawbacks

In addition to their benefits, there are also many different drawbacks to Hawley retainers

  • Easy to lose – Being removable, Hawley retainers can easily be misplaced. Anyone who has had to dig through the trash looking for their retainer can attest to that.

  • Compliance – If patients don’t wear their retainer as instructed, they could risk having their teeth shift back to their original positions.

  • Maintenance – If Hawley retainers aren’t cleaned regularly or properly, bacteria can build up.

  • Appearance – The metal wire on Hawley retainers may make it more noticeable that you are wearing a retainer.9

How long do you wear Hawley retainers?

Only your orthodontist can say for sure how long you’ll have to wear a retainer. It’s not uncommon for people to wear retainers for the rest of their lives.10 Fortunately, the frequency with which you need to wear them typically decreases over time.10

For the first four to nine months of wearing your Hawley retainer, expect to wear it all the time, except for the times you’re eating or cleaning it.11 After a while, you may transition to only wearing it at night.11 Always consult your orthodontist before making any changes to how you use your retainer.

How much do the retainers cost?

The cost of your first set of retainers will likely be included in your treatment plan.3 Replacement retainers will typically require an additional fee, ranging between $150 and $340 for one retainer.9 Your insurance may cover some of the cost, so it’s a good idea to consult your insurance provider for more information.

How do Hawley retainers compare to Vivera™ retainers?

Vivera retainers use the same state-of-the-art technology that makes Invisalign® aligners. They are the #1 dentist-recommended retainer for teens,12 with over 4 million people worldwide having been treated with Vivera.13

Dentists and orthodontists often prefer Vivera retainers over lab-made options like Hawley retainers due to factors such as durability, comfort, strength, patient compliance, and patient satisfaction.14

Vivera retainers are more comfortable than other retainers

Nine out of ten surveyed users agree that Vivera retainers are the most comfortable retainers they have ever used.15

Vivera is more discreet compared to other retainers

Vivera retainers offer the same virtually invisible look that Invisalign aligners are known for. They are made with high-grade, biocompatible acrylic material that resists discoloration and tarnishing.

Talk to your orthodontist

If you want to learn more about retainers or know what the next step of your treatment plan is after braces or aligners, talk to your orthodontist. They can answer any questions you have and walk you through your treatment plan. Interested in exploring Vivera retainers? Use the Invisalign Doctor Locator tool to find a provider near you.


Disclaimer: The information contained in this website are for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you may have regarding any dental or medical-related condition and never disregard or delay seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website.

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  1. Lyros I et al (2023 Feb 10) Orthodontic Retainers – A Critical Review Children (Basel). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9954726/
  2. Glidewell. Hawley Retainers. (https://glidewelldental.com/solutions/occlusal-appliances/retainers/hawley-retainers) Accessed 8/14/24
  3. American Association of Orthodontists. Understanding Retainers: the Key to Maintaining Your Smile. (https://aaoinfo.org/treatments/retainers/) Accessed 8/14/24
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Teeth Retainer. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10899-teeth-retainer) Accessed 8/14/24
  5. American Association of Orthodontists. Smile Preservation: Ensuring Your Teeth Stay Put Post-Treatment. (https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/will-my-teeth-stay-where-my-orthodontist-moved-them/) Accessed 8/14/24
  6. American Association of Orthodontists. Are Retainers Necessary After Orthodontic Treatment? (https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/will-i-need-to-wear-retainers/) Accessed 5/9/24
  7. Robinson K (2023 May 5) Permanent vs. Removable Retainers: Understanding the Pros and Cons GoodRx Health. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/dental-care/permanent-retainer-vs-removable-retainer
  8. Graham Tool. Hawley Retainer, At-Home (https://www.grahamtool.com/at-homedental/upper-hawley-retainer-custom-built-to-order-with-pink-acrylic-and-gold-plated-stainless-steel-wires) Accessed 8/14/24 Excel Orthodontics Inc. Color Chart. (https://excelorthodontics.com/color-chart/ https://patrickdeandent.com/products/hawley-retainer) Accessed 8/14/24 Healthline. What to Know Before You Get a Retainer. (https://www.healthline.com/health/retainer-types) Accessed 8/14/24
  9. Healthline. What to Know Before You Get a Retainer. (https://www.healthline.com/health/retainer-types) Accessed 8/14/24
  10. American Association of Orthodontists. Your Orthodontic Journey: Questions Uncovered. (https://aaoinfo.org/resources/faqs/page/8/) Accessed 8/14/24
  11. Watson, K (2020 March 30) Wearing Retainers After Braces: What to Know Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/retainers-after-braces
  12. Data on file at Align Technology, as of November 8, 2021.
  13. Data on file at Align Technology, as of December 31, 2023.
  14. Data on File at Align Technology as of July 2021. Based on survey data of dentists in USA and Canada, who have used both lab-made clear retainers and Vivera retainers (n=88), who were asked to answer the question, “Which retainer do you prefer on the following dimensions?” <insert dimension from list> overall preference, durability, patient comfort, strength, retain teeth in position, patient compliance, patient satisfaction, fit in mouth, long lasting, positive patient experience, value, ordering process.
  15. 93% of surveyed users agree that Vivera retainers are the most comfortable retainers that they’ve ever used. Based on survey data of Vivera retainer users (n=74) in the USA who have used at least two different retainers in the last five years who were asked, “Please indicate your agreement to the following statement: My Vivera clear retainer is the most comfortable retainer I have ever used.” Data on File at Align Technology, as of January 25, 2022.