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Published September 2026

1 of 5When braces come off, something has to hold the teeth in their new place
  1. When braces come off, something has to hold the teeth in their new place
  2. A thin wire can be bonded behind the front teeth, out of sight
  3. Or a clear removable tray is worn at night and taken out by day
  4. Skip it for long enough and teeth slowly drift back
  5. Worn on and off for years, a retainer is a long-term habit, not a quick fix

Who usually does it

orthodontist. Done by the orthodontist; a general dentist can adjust or repair one.

One question worth asking

How long should this be worn, and what does a replacement cost here?

Repairing a removable retainer, lower

Braces and alignersBasicD8699

D8699. Fixes a cracked or bent removable lower retainer.

After braces come off, a retainer holds the teeth in place. It may be removable or a thin wire bonded behind the teeth. Codes cover the retainer at the end of treatment, adjusting it, and repairing either type.

A removable retainer is worn at night, and a fixed one is a thin wire bonded behind the front teeth that stays put. Teeth drift for years after treatment, so retainers are a long-term habit rather than a short one. Codes cover the retainer made at the end of treatment, adjusting it, and repairing either kind. Most plans file this as Basic. What they actually pay varies by plan.

Codes for this

D8680MajorRetainers at the end of bracesBraces are removed and retainers fitted; usually included in the total braces fee.per visit · Done oftenD8681BasicAdjusting a removable retainerA small adjustment to a retainer that no longer fits well.per visit · Done sometimesD8696BasicRepairing a bonded retainer, upperFixes the thin wire glued behind the upper front teeth.per arch · Done sometimesD8697BasicRepairing a bonded retainer, lowerFixes the thin wire glued behind the lower front teeth.per arch · Done sometimesD8698BasicRepairing a removable retainer, upperFixes a cracked or bent removable upper retainer.per arch · Done sometimesD8699BasicRepairing a removable retainer, lowerFixes a cracked or bent removable lower retainer.per arch · Done sometimes
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Part of these flowsFull braces or aligners, start to retainerBraces or aligners as an adultOrthodontic check at seven and phase oneStuck (impacted) canine

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Repairing a removable retainer, lower (D8699): what happens, step by step | TruthMolar