Retainers don't last forever. Whether yours cracked, warped, or disappeared into a napkin at lunch, the moment you realize it's gone is usually followed by a familiar thought: how much is this going to cost me? If you've looked into getting a replacement through your orthodontist, you already know the answer isn't cheap. The good news is you can now buy replacement retainer options online, custom-fit, professional-grade, and delivered to your door, for a fraction of what most dental offices charge.
Direct-to-consumer brands have changed how people replace retainers. Instead of booking an appointment, sitting in a chair, and paying $300–$800+, you can take impressions at home and receive a custom retainer made in a dental lab within days. At Remi, this is exactly what we do, we make custom clear retainers alongside our dental team at a price that actually makes sense. But we also think you deserve to see all your options before deciding.
This article breaks down nine of the best places to buy replacement retainers online, covering cost, quality, turnaround time, and what makes each one worth considering.
1. Remi
Remi is a direct-to-consumer dental brand based in San Francisco that makes custom clear retainers and night guards alongside an in-house dental team. If you want to buy replacement retainer options without scheduling a dental visit, Remi is built specifically for that purpose. The company cuts out the intermediary costs that inflate dental office prices, so you pay for the product, not the overhead.
Retainer types and options
Remi offers custom clear removable retainers, the same style that orthodontists prescribe after braces or aligner treatment. These are made from professional-grade materials in a dental lab, not shaped from a generic boil-and-bite template you find at a pharmacy. You receive a retainer shaped precisely to your teeth, which matters for both comfort and long-term effectiveness in maintaining your alignment.
How ordering works
The process starts when you order an at-home impression kit from Remi's website. The kit arrives with putty, trays, and step-by-step instructions so you can take molds of your upper and lower teeth at home. You mail the impressions back using a prepaid return envelope, and Remi's lab technicians fabricate your retainers from those molds. The support team is available by phone or chat if you hit any snags during the impression process.
Skipping the dental office doesn't mean skipping the quality; Remi's retainers are still made in a professional dental lab from your actual tooth impressions.
Who it fits best
Remi works best for adults who completed orthodontic treatment and need a replacement retainer because their original wore out, cracked, or was lost. It also suits anyone who wants a backup pair on hand or who is managing long-term retention independently. If you are comfortable following straightforward at-home instructions and want a professional result without the office visit markup, Remi is a strong fit.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
A single arch retainer starts at around $99, and you can order for the upper arch, lower arch, or both. The price covers the impression kit, lab fabrication, and two-way shipping. Turnaround after Remi receives your impressions runs 5 to 7 business days, putting finished retainers at your door in under two weeks total. That timeline beats most dental offices, which typically outsource lab work and require a separate pickup visit.
Fit, remake, and support policies
Remi stands behind the fit of its retainers. If your retainer does not fit correctly, the team works with you on a remake at no extra charge, which is a meaningful guarantee for a mail-order product. Remi also puts real emphasis on human customer support, so you are not navigating a chatbot when something feels off. For a combination of affordability, professional quality, and reliable support, Remi earns the top spot on this list.
2. Retainers Direct
Retainers Direct is a direct-to-consumer dental lab that focuses specifically on replacement retainers. If you want to buy replacement retainer options from a company with a narrow, dedicated product lineup, Retainers Direct keeps things simple and focused.
Retainer types and options
Retainers Direct offers both Essix-style clear retainers and Hawley wire retainers, giving you two distinct styles to choose from. Clear retainers sit flush over your teeth and stay nearly invisible, while Hawley retainers use a wire across the front with an acrylic base that tends to hold up longer with daily wear.
How ordering works
You order an at-home impression kit from their website, take molds at home, and ship them back using a prepaid label. Step-by-step instructions come included in the kit to walk you through the process, which is straightforward enough for most people to complete without any prior experience.
Taking clean, accurate impressions at home is the single most important step in getting a well-fitting retainer from any mail-order service.
Who it fits best
Retainers Direct works well for people who want a choice between retainer styles and already know from past orthodontic treatment which type they preferred wearing. It also suits budget-focused shoppers who want a dedicated retainer provider rather than a broader oral care brand.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
Single arch retainers start at around $77, with both arches available together for under $150 depending on the style you select. The impression kit is included in the purchase price. Turnaround runs approximately two to three weeks from the date the lab receives your impressions.
Fit, remake, and support policies
Retainers Direct offers a remake option if your retainer does not fit correctly after the lab processes your molds. Customer support runs through email, which works fine for routine questions but may feel slower if you need quick help during the impression process.
3. SportingSmiles
SportingSmiles is a dental lab-direct company that originally built its reputation making custom mouth guards for athletes before expanding into retainers. If you want to buy replacement retainer options from a brand with deep lab experience across a range of dental appliances, SportingSmiles brings that background to the table.
Retainer types and options
SportingSmiles offers clear Essix-style retainers as their primary retainer product. These are vacuum-formed over a model of your teeth and sit flush against the surface, making them the same type most orthodontists prescribe post-treatment. The material quality is consistent with professional dental lab standards, which is what you would expect from a company that has been making custom-fit appliances for years.
How ordering works
You order a DIY impression kit from the SportingSmiles website, complete your upper and lower molds at home, and mail them back using the included prepaid label. Their website provides clear instructions and short video guides to walk you through each step of the impression process, which reduces the chance of errors before your molds reach the lab.
Clear instructional videos can make a real difference in impression quality, and better impressions lead to better-fitting retainers.
Who it fits best
SportingSmiles is a good match for people who want a reliable clear retainer from an established lab and appreciate having video guidance during the impression stage. It also works well for people who are already familiar with the company through its athletic mouth guard products and want to stick with a brand they trust.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
Single arch retainers start around $66 to $75, with both arches available together for under $140. The impression kit is included. Turnaround runs two to three weeks after the lab receives your impressions.
Fit, remake, and support policies
SportingSmiles offers customer support via email and phone. If your retainer does not fit properly, the company reviews each case and addresses remakes on a case-by-case basis depending on the quality of the impressions submitted.
4. ClearRetain
ClearRetain is a direct-to-consumer retainer brand that focuses on delivering custom clear retainers through a straightforward mail-order process. If you want to buy replacement retainer options without any in-person appointments, ClearRetain keeps the experience simple and focused.
Retainer types and options
ClearRetain specializes in Essix-style clear retainers, the same thin, transparent style most orthodontists prescribe for post-treatment retention. These retainers are custom-formed from dental-grade thermoplastic material and built to match the impressions you provide, so the fit reflects your actual tooth shape rather than a generic template.
How ordering works
You start by ordering an at-home impression kit, which arrives with trays, putty, and step-by-step instructions. After completing your molds, you mail them back using a prepaid return label. The lab then fabricates your retainers from those impressions and ships the finished product directly to you.
Taking your time with the impression process pays off; clean, accurate molds are what allow the lab to produce a well-fitting retainer.
Who it fits best
ClearRetain works well for people who have finished orthodontic treatment and need a reliable replacement without complex appliance requirements. It suits anyone who prefers a focused, single-product brand over a company that sells a wide range of dental appliances alongside retainers.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
The impression kit is included in the purchase price. Here is what you can expect on cost and timing:
- Single arch: starts around $80
- Both arches: approximately $150
- Lab turnaround: two to three weeks after impressions are received
Fit, remake, and support policies
ClearRetain addresses fit issues through its customer support team, and remakes are available if your retainer does not seat correctly. Support runs through email, so plan for a response window of one to two business days for most questions or concerns.
5. ALIGNERCO
ALIGNERCO is best known as a direct-to-consumer teeth aligner brand, but the company also offers custom clear retainers for post-treatment maintenance. If you want to buy replacement retainer options from a brand that understands the full alignment journey from start to finish, ALIGNERCO brings that context to its retainer products.
Retainer types and options
ALIGNERCO offers clear Essix-style retainers made from dental-grade thermoplastic material. These are the transparent, close-fitting type that sit directly over your teeth, matching the style most people receive after completing aligner or braces treatment. The retainers are custom-formed from your impressions, not shaped from a generic mold.
How ordering works
You order an at-home impression kit through the ALIGNERCO website and complete your molds at home using the included putty and trays. Once you mail the impressions back with the prepaid return label, the lab fabricates your retainers and ships them directly to your address.
If you previously used ALIGNERCO for aligner treatment, the impression process will feel familiar since it follows the same core steps.
Who it fits best
ALIGNERCO works best for people who completed a clear aligner program and want to stay within the same brand ecosystem for their retention phase. It also suits anyone looking for a clear retainer option from a company that focuses specifically on the teeth-straightening and alignment market rather than a broad dental products catalog.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
- Single arch: starts around $99
- Both arches: approximately $179 to $199
- Turnaround: two to three weeks after impressions are received
The impression kit is included in the purchase price, and shipping is covered in both directions.
Fit, remake, and support policies
ALIGNERCO offers customer support through email and live chat for fit-related concerns. If your retainer does not fit correctly, the team reviews the case and handles remakes based on the quality of the impressions you submitted.
6. BiteKnight
BiteKnight is a direct-to-consumer dental brand that focuses on custom-fit retainers and night guards for people who want to skip the dental office entirely. If you want to buy replacement retainer options from a brand that keeps its product lineup tight and its process straightforward, BiteKnight delivers on both counts.
Retainer types and options
BiteKnight offers clear Essix-style retainers made from dental-grade thermoplastic material. These are the same transparent, close-fitting style that orthodontists typically prescribe after braces or aligner treatment. Each retainer is custom-formed from your submitted impressions, so the fit reflects your actual tooth shape rather than an approximation.
How ordering works
You start by ordering an at-home impression kit from the BiteKnight website. The kit comes with trays, putty, and written instructions to guide you through the mold-taking process at home. After completing your impressions, you mail them back using a prepaid return label, and the lab fabricates your retainers from those molds before shipping them directly to your door.
Accurate impressions are the foundation of a well-fitting retainer, so follow the included instructions carefully before sealing the package.
Who it fits best
BiteKnight suits adults who have completed orthodontic treatment and need a straightforward replacement without complex customization requirements. It also works well for people who want a focused retainer option from a brand that does not bundle the product with a large catalog of unrelated dental accessories.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
- Single arch: starts around $80 to $90
- Both arches: approximately $150 to $160
- Turnaround: two to three weeks after the lab receives your impressions
The impression kit is included in the purchase price, and return shipping is covered.
Fit, remake, and support policies
BiteKnight handles fit concerns through its customer support team, and remakes are available when impressions meet the lab's quality standards. Support runs through email, so budget one to two business days for a response on most inquiries.
7. Revived Smiles
Revived Smiles is a direct-to-consumer dental lab that offers custom clear retainers through an at-home impression process. If you want to buy replacement retainer options from a company that keeps its focus on retainers specifically, Revived Smiles delivers a straightforward path from impression to finished appliance.
Retainer types and options
Revived Smiles offers Essix-style clear retainers made from dental-grade thermoplastic material. These are the same transparent, form-fitting style most orthodontists prescribe after completing braces or aligner treatment. Each retainer is custom-fabricated from your impressions, so the fit follows your actual tooth contours rather than a standardized template.
How ordering works
You order an at-home impression kit from the Revived Smiles website, complete your upper and lower molds using the included putty and trays, and mail the impressions back with a prepaid return label. The lab then fabricates your retainers and ships them directly to your address.
Completing your impressions carefully and following the included instructions gives the lab the best material to work with, which directly affects how well your finished retainer fits.
Who it fits best
Revived Smiles works well for adults who have finished orthodontic treatment and need a reliable replacement retainer without scheduling a dental office visit. It also suits people who want a dedicated retainer provider focused on a single product type rather than a broad oral care catalog.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
- Single arch: starts around $75 to $85
- Both arches: approximately $140 to $160
- Turnaround: two to three weeks after impressions are received
The impression kit is included in the purchase price, and return shipping is covered.
Fit, remake, and support policies
Revived Smiles handles fit concerns through its customer support team, and remakes are available when your impressions meet the lab's quality standards. Support runs primarily through email, so expect a response window of one to two business days for most questions.
8. Invisalign Vivera
Invisalign Vivera retainers come from Align Technology, the same company that makes Invisalign clear aligners. If you want to buy replacement retainer options backed by one of the most recognized names in orthodontics, Vivera sits at the premium end of the market with a process that differs from every other option on this list.
Retainer types and options
Vivera retainers are clear, custom-fit retainers made from Align Technology's proprietary SmartTrack thermoplastic material. This is the same material used in Invisalign aligners, which makes Vivera retainers 30% thicker and reportedly more durable than standard Essix-style retainers. Each order comes in a set of four retainers per arch rather than a single piece.
How ordering works
Vivera retainers are prescription-only, which means you cannot order them directly online without going through a licensed dentist or orthodontist. Your provider scans your teeth digitally and submits the order to Align Technology through their professional network. There is no at-home impression kit involved in this process.
If you completed Invisalign treatment, your provider already has your digital records on file, which can speed up the ordering process significantly.
Who it fits best
Vivera works best for people who completed Invisalign treatment and want to stay within the same brand ecosystem for their retention phase. It also suits anyone who values premium material quality and does not mind coordinating with a dental provider to place their order.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
Vivera retainers typically cost $400 to $1,000 or more for a full set depending on your provider's fees. Each order includes four retainers per arch, and turnaround runs one to two weeks after your provider submits the digital scan.
Fit, remake, and support policies
Since Vivera is ordered through a licensed dental provider, fit concerns and remakes go back through that provider rather than directly to Align Technology. Your dentist or orthodontist handles the process on your behalf, which gives you a professional point of contact but also means resolution timelines depend on their availability.
9. InRetention Retainers For Life
InRetention Retainers For Life takes a different approach to how you buy replacement retainer products online. Instead of ordering individual retainers one at a time, InRetention runs on a subscription model that ships replacement retainers on a regular schedule, so you always have a fresh pair ready without placing a new order every time one wears out or gets damaged.
Retainer types and options
InRetention offers clear Essix-style retainers made from dental-grade thermoplastic material. These are the transparent, close-fitting type that sit directly over your teeth and match the style most orthodontists prescribe after completing braces or aligner treatment. Each retainer is custom-fabricated from your impressions, so the fit follows your actual tooth shape rather than a generic mold.
How ordering works
You start by completing an at-home impression kit that InRetention ships to your address. After mailing your molds back with the included prepaid label, the lab fabricates your first set of retainers. Your subscription then activates, and InRetention ships replacement retainers at your chosen interval without requiring you to redo impressions for each new cycle.
A subscription model only saves you money if you consistently use the retainers you receive, so it works best when you already know you go through them regularly.
Who it fits best
InRetention works best for people who replace retainers frequently due to grinding, heavy wear, or a tendency to lose them. It also suits anyone who wants a set-and-forget system for long-term retention without repeatedly managing individual orders throughout the year.
Pricing, what's included, and timing
- Subscription plans: starting around $99 per year depending on the plan you select
- Included: impression kit, lab fabrication, and regular retainer shipments
- Turnaround: two to three weeks for the initial set after impressions are received
Fit, remake, and support policies
InRetention handles fit concerns through its customer support team, and remakes are available when your impressions meet the lab's quality standards. Support runs through email, with typical response times of one to two business days for most questions.
Final Thoughts
Every option on this list lets you buy replacement retainer products online without setting foot in a dental office, but the right choice depends on what you prioritize. If you want the lowest price possible, options like SportingSmiles or Retainers Direct bring costs down significantly. If you want a subscription so replacements arrive automatically, InRetention fits that need. For premium material and an office-managed process, Vivera covers that end of the spectrum.
For most people, the best combination of professional quality, affordable pricing, and reliable support lands at Remi. Your retainer is made in a dental lab from your actual impressions, the process runs entirely from home, and real support staff back up every order. If your retainer is cracked, lost, or simply worn down, there is no reason to wait on a dental appointment. Order your custom clear retainer from Remi and get your smile protected again.
