Retainer Statistics 2026

Retainers are an important part of post-orthodontic treatment. To maintain your teeth’s alignment, you must wear retainers after braces or clear aligner treatment. This ensures long-lasting results and prevents the need for further orthodontic treatment in the future. 

Let’s look at some retainer statistics in this article:

Retainers Statistics and Facts

1. Retainers help bones around your teeth solidify while preserving their new alignment after braces come off.
2. Retainers have two types⁠—removable and fixed.
3. Removable retainers have two kinds⁠—wire retainers with wire and plastic-like materials to secure teeth and clear retainers with a transparent, teeth-hugging design.
4. Fixed retainers are fashioned from a sleek, tailor-made wire that bonds to the hidden side of teeth.
5. Wearing retainers every night for a lifetime maintains a perfect smile.
6. The orthodontic retainers market could grow to $487.05 million by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.32%.2
7. Clear plastic and molded acrylic retainers range from $200 to $600, while bonded retainers can set you back anywhere from $500 to $1,000.3

How Many People Wear Their Retainers?

Retainers are an important part of orthodontic treatment. However, not all people who need to wear them practice patient compliance.

One study covered different people’s compliance with wearing their retainers after orthodontic treatment. The study had a random sample of 1,200 patients from four different practices.

When self-administered questionnaires were sent out, there was a response rate of 36% during a 6-week period.

Here are some notable statistics from the study:

1. In the first 3 months, 60% wore retainers for more than 10 hours a day.
2. During the first 3 months, 69% of respondents wore their retainers every night.
3. Between 19 and 24 months after retainer treatment, 19% of respondents weren’t wearing their retainers anymore.
4. 81% of respondents said they wore their retainers, even if it was only one night a week.
5. Patient compliance was the highest during the period of 4 to 6 months after treatment.

More Reading

• Types of Retainers
• What to Do When You Lose Your Retainers
• Ordering Retainers Online