Crooked teeth are not uncommon. Some are just less obvious than others, and people might not necessarily need to have them fixed.
For some people, however, the orthodontic problem that could possibly lead to more serious complications.
As well as helping to align teeth, retainers can be used:
- After a period of wearing braces to make sure the teeth retain their new position
- To help address a speech impediment
- To close spaces between teeth
- For other medical problems relating to the teeth (e.g. ‘tongue-thrust’).
Retainers and braces have to be custom-fitted to the individual patient. Everyone’s teeth and jaws are different, so the braces and retainers have to reflect this.
They can cost as much as you can afford and more. No that’s not a very helpful answer, but the truth is that there is no fixed price.
If you are having to pay for them yourself (rather than through state funding), then you can reckon on them costing from several hundred to several thousand dollars/ pounds/ euros.
The cost will depend on what type of treatment you need – the more severe, the more expensive. And the type of braces or retainers you choose from those available for your condition. For example, you could go for the cheaper ‘train-track’ option. Or you could investigate the possibility of ‘clear’ retainers (e.g. Invisalign and its various competitors) or ones that use ‘smoother’ materials and might therefore be more comfortable (and expensive).
