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Now here’s where it gets a little confusing: a lot of people mix up aligners with retainers. It’s an easy mistake after all, they look pretty similar. But they serve very different purposes.
Aligners are used during your treatment. They apply gentle, consistent pressure to move your teeth into better alignment over time. Think of them as the active phase of your smile journey.
Retainers, on the other hand, come into the picture after your treatment is done. Their main job? To keep your teeth in their new positions and prevent them from drifting back to where they used to be.Even though aligners and retainers might look alike, they’re actually doing two very different things one moves your teeth, the other keeps them in place.
So in this blog, we will break down the aligners vs retainers differences—from their purpose to their advantages, cost and everything else—so you can confidently choose the right option for you and your teeth.
1. What are Aligners and Retainers?
Let’s start easy.
What are Aligners?
You’ve probably heard of clear aligners, those transparent plastic trays that slowly straighten your teeth. Invisalign is one of the most well-known brands, but there are many others out there doing the same thing.
What Are Retainers?
Retainers follow your treatment. When your teeth are in the right position, retainers will retain your teeth in that position, so your teeth do not move back to where they started.
There are two types:
Removable retainers that you generally wear at night
Fixed retainers, which are bonded to the back of your teeth
Your orthodontist will tell you which one is right for you and how often you will need to wear it. But here is the main thing: retainers do not move your teeth—they retain the end result of your treatment with aligners or braces.
2. Aligners vs Retainers Differences: Function, Fit & Purpose
Differentiating aligners vs retainers gives you good insight into what to expect.
| Feature | Aligners | Retainers |
| Purpose | Moves teeth into correct alignment | Maintains teeth in their corrected position |
| Material | Clear, slightly flexible plastic | Plastic (Hawley), clear plastic, or wire |
| Wear Time | 20–22 hours per day | Typically worn at night |
| Customised Movement | Yes – designed to apply controlled pressure for tooth movement | No – designed to hold teeth in place |
| Frequency of Replacement | Replaced every 1–2 weeks as treatment progresses | Meant for long-term use; replaced only if damaged |
| Phase of Treatment | Worn during orthodontic correction | Worn after treatment to maintain results |
Invisalign Aligner vs Retainer: Are They The Same?
A common misconception is that Invisalign aligners are just another type of retainer. It’s true they may look similar — both clear and removable; however, functionally they are completely different.
Invisalign aligners:
• Apply gentle pressure to create movement of teeth
• Are part of active treatment
• Are replaced every few weeks
• Are specifically made to move teeth into new position as they gradually change.
Invisalign Retainers (Vivera Retainers):
• Used post treatment to hold teeth in place
• Thicker than aligners for strength
• Worn mainly at night
• Can last for years with care
In summary, aligners move teeth, retainers hold them!
3. Aligners vs Retainers cost India
Next, let’s look at the other part of this orthodontic decision from a financial perspective. There is a substantial difference in cost from aligners to retainers, which is demonstrated below:
Cost of Aligners (India):
• Invisalign: ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000
• Other clear aligners: ₹60,000 – ₹1,50,000
• Cost includes multiple trays and regular dental appointments
Retainers Cost in India:
• Clear removable retainers: ₹3,000 – ₹8,000
• Hawley wire + acrylic retainers: ₹2,500 – ₹6,000
• Fixed retainers: ₹4,000 – ₹10,000/ arch
Invisalign is expensive because it is active orthodontic treatment as opposed to retainers whose cost reflects a one off post treatment cost.
At Partha Dental, we offer payment plans for both aligner treatments and retainers to keep advanced orthodontics affordable and available for everyone.
4. Benefits of Aligners:
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, there are some benefits of aligners over traditional metal braces.
• Almost invisible
• Comfortable and no irritation (no wires and brackets)
• Removable – eat, brush and floss!
• Great for busy professionals, also great for teens dislike their dental situation or are interested in a more discreet treatment option.
• Good for affiliated lightweight mild to moderate alignment issues – gaps, crowded teeth, bite issues.
Partha Dental is an accredited provider of Invisalign and other new age aligner systems and creates a unique treatment plan developed by a licensed orthodontist in order to maintain accuracy.
Why Retainers Can Matter
Though often discussed after treatment completion, retainer development is essential to preserving your new smile following the months of treatment.
– It prevents relapse – retains teeth in their new position
– It stabilizes bone and tissue after orthodontic treatment
– It is easy to maintain and wear
– It is custom made to suit you and comfortable
– Long-term cost investment in your smile stability
If retainers are not worn, what has been accomplished in orthodontics and your hard work can be undone in a matter of months, which we do not like to see at Partha Dental.
How To Know Which One You Need
If your goal is to straighten your teeth, you will need aligners.
If you aim to maintain alignment after treatment, you will need retainers.
This is not a clear cut answer for all patients because if you have relapse and are returning to your orthodontist, the dentist may wish for you to utilize aligners for a short time prior to development of your retainer.
What to Expect at Partha Dental
At Partha Dental, the timeline will be different for each patient during your orthodontic consultation such that we will provide information based on:
– Whether aligners versus retainers is appropriate for your situation.
– The costs associated with potential treatment and how long it will take you to straighten your teeth potentially versus using retainers.
– What will be the best type of retainers for you after treatment – clear, Hawley, or fixed retainers.
– More comprehensive follow-ups.
With 120+ clinics and a network of qualified orthodontists, we are able to deliver progressive care, guaranteed advice and flexible treatment options.
5. Aligners or Retainers – Which Do You Need?
So here’s a quick summary of the main differences between aligners vs retainers:
• Aligners will straighten your teeth – ideal if you’re still feeling unhappy with your smile.
• Retainers will keep them straight – important after finishing orthodontic treatment.
Both have a different, and important, part to play along your smile journey.
At Partha Dental, we always want to be able to support you along the journey, whether you’re having aligners for the first time or need a quality retainer to protect your results.
Call us now – 04041420000 to book a free consultation today at your nearest Partha Dental clinic and we will tell you which solution is right for you.
Let us help you straighten, protect and smile with confidence.
7. FAQs
1. Can retainers straighten teeth?
No. Retainers are not meant to straighten teeth. Retainers are meant to hold teeth in position, but not reposition them. Teeth need aligners or braces to move.
2. Do I have to wear retainers after aligner therapy?
Yes. You have to wear a retainer after you complete aligner therapy to retain the teeth’s new position and not allow the teeth to shift back to their previous place. If you do not wear retainers, you can lose all of your hard work!
3. Can I wear my old aligners as retainers?
No. Aligners are not meant to be used for extended periods of time. They become loose as you progress into the stages of therapy. Aligners will stop keeping teeth in position over time with wear and tear.
4. Which is more expensive; aligners or retainers?
Aligners are more expensive because they are an active part of orthodontic therapy and you get multiple trays and adjustments as therapy progresses. Retainers are passive devices you wear after finished orthodontic treatment with aligners and therefore cost significantly less.
5. How long will I need to wear retainers?
In the beginning, retainers must be worn throughout the day. Eventually, most people wear them at night. Unfortunately, many dentists would define tooth movement as “relapse”, therefore it is always better to say that you need to wear them for life – to avoid relapse! Read more
Disclaimer:
The prices mentioned in this blog are indicative and may vary based on the severity of the condition, technology used, and materials suggested by the Dentist. They are accurate as of the date of publishing and subject to change as per clinic policy. Third-party or AI-generated estimates may not reflect actual clinic pricing. For accurate costs, please visit your nearest Partha Dental clinic.
