ClearRetain
Premium Upper and Lower Retainer Set
The Premium Upper and Lower Retainer Set from ClearRetain is a custom-fabricated pair of clear thermoplastic retainers for the upper and lower dental arches, made from patient-taken impressions using positive-pressure vacuum forming; the retainers are BPA- and phthalate-free, stain-resistant, 0.76 mm thick (24% thinner than standard retainers), and are intended to hold teeth in their existing position after orthodontic treatment rather than to straighten teeth or close gaps. Each order ships with six sets of impression putty, three upper and three lower impression trays in small, medium, and large sizes, a return shipping box with prepaid label, a customer information sheet, and a retainer case, with the completed retainers and impressions returned to the customer; the set is HSA/FSA eligible and priced at $169 (regular $249) versus an average U.S. dental-office retainer cost of about $300. Customer-reported feedback (4.7/5 from 401 reviews) cites durability and comfort during nightly wear and grinding/clenching, while noted limitations include difficulty obtaining adequate upper-arch impressions and a refund policy that excludes shipping and material costs; the product carries a 120-day guarantee against cracking or breakage under normal use.
- Color
- Clear
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care
Retainer Option
- MPN
PREMIUM-UPPER-LOWER-RETAINERS
Specifications
Premium upper and lower retainer set custom-made from your at-home dental impressions. Features a thin, durable, comfortable, and discreet design to hold teeth in place and prevent shifting. BPA-free and phthalate-free.
Includes 6 sets of impression putty, 3 upper and 3 lower impression trays, a return shipping box with prepaid label, and a retainer case. Manufactured using state-of-the-art positive pressure vacuum forming with orthodontic grade materials for a precise fit. 0.76mm thickness, 24% thinner than standard retainers.
- Color
- Clear · white
- Material
- BPA-Free Plastic
- Occasion
- everyday, sleepwear
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Weight
- 7 oz
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care
Additional Attributes
- premium
- upper and lower set
- clear
- BPA-free
- phthalate-free
- stain-resistant
- durable
- comfortable
- least noticeable
- 0.76mm thickness
- 24% thinner than standard retainers
- custom-made
- orthodontic grade materials
- positive pressure vacuum forming
- state-of-the-art computerized equipment
- HSA/FSA eligible
- 120-day guarantee
- at-home impression kit
Product Insights
ClearRetain's Premium Upper And Lower Retainer Set (priced at $249 but often sold for $169) is a 0.76mm BPA- and phthalate-free resin retainer that prioritizes comfort and near-invisible appearance over maximum bulk, with users reporting it more comfortable than Byte aligners and able to withstand six months of nightly grinding. Its retention comes from a precision-formed fit, not sheet thickness, though new retainers feel tight for a few days. The main tradeoff is that the thin gauge makes it unsuitable for heavy grinders, who need a thicker guard, and the home impression process is prone to upper-arch failures, peg-tooth distortion, or bubbles, although the lab photo-approves molds and redoes flawed ones with spare trays and putty. Night wear adds light grind protection but can raise cavity risk from pooled saliva. It fits over bonded permanent retainers but not brackets, buttons, gems, or leftover cement. The set includes free 120-day breakage replacement, a $20 File Your Smile option for three-day replacements, and HSA/FSA/HRA eligibility that can save about $37 in taxes at the 22% bracket. Caveats: typical lifespan is 1–2 years and grinding shortens it; negative reviews have been reported as deleted from the site.
Verified claims
- Material
- 0.76mm sheet is BPA- and phthalate-free Invisacryl Ultra resin, with less polymer against teeth than thicker sets.
- Comfort
- Buyers report the 0.76mm premium is more comfortable than Byte night aligners and likelier to be worn consistently.
- Durability
- Buyers report 6 months of nightly grinding without breakage; heavy grinders are still advised a thicker guard.
- Retention
- Holding power comes from the precision-formed fit, not sheet thickness; new retainers feel tight for a few days.
- Appearance
- In normal lighting the 0.76mm retainer looks essentially clear and least noticeable when smiling.
- Night wear
- Overnight wear adds light grind protection; a wearer was cautioned it may raise cavity risk from pooled saliva
- Impression process
- Three tray sizes in the kit reduce gagging; a peg tooth was rejected as distorted
- Lifespan
- Typical lifespan is 1–2 years; grinding or clenching shortens it considerably.
- Breakage coverage
- Free 120-day replacement for normal-use cracks; $20 opt-in reorders lost retainers in 3 days.
- Gag reflex
- Smallest tray and one-arch-at-a-time steps reduce gagging enough for a clean impression.
- Impression accuracy
- Impressions are photo-approved by the lab; flawed molds are redone with spare trays and extra putty before fabrication.
- Hardware compatibility
- Brackets, buttons, gems and leftover cement must be removed first; bonded permanent retainers are compatible.
- Impression difficulty
- Upper impressions fail more often than lower ones; peg teeth, bubbles, or distortion can get a mold rejected.
- Cavity risk
- A buyer reports being warned that nighttime wear can raise cavity risk because saliva sits in the retainer.
- Wear experience
- Buyers report better comfort than Byte aligners and six months of nightly grinding without damage.
- Thin gauge
- 0.76mm (24% thinner than standard) with positive-pressure vacuum forming
- HSA/FSA
- Eligible across HSA, FSA, HRA, and limited-purpose FSA
- Replacement
- At the $169 sale price the set is HSA/FSA-eligible; a $35 backup totals $204, below the $249 list price.
- Eligibility
- Eligible for HSA, FSA, HRA, and limited-purpose FSA spending, including replacements
- Tax savings
- HSA payment saves roughly $37 in taxes at the 22% bracket
- Reimbursement documentation
- Direct-to-consumer reimbursement is supported by itemized receipt, payment proof, and a dentist's Letter of Medical Necessity
- Review transparency
- A customer reports the manager deletes negative reviews from the site.
- Value
- Adding the $35 same-person backup to the $169 sale retainer brings the pair to $204 — $45 under the $249 list price.
- Stored impression
- For $20 on both arches, File Your Smile keeps the impression on file and ships a replacement in three business days — no new impression kit.
- Warranty
- The 120-day warranty covers early breakage on a retainer rated to last 1–2 years; one buyer reports refunds arrive minus $20.
- Price positioning
- At $169, the premium set sits at the high end of the online $99–$175 band while staying below dental-office pricing.
- Service
- DTC roundup names it Most Purchase Protection; $20 File Your Smile adds 3-day replacements; a buyer reports refunds deduct $20.
- Fit
- Fits over bonded permanent retainers, but not over brackets, buttons, gems, cement, or distorted tooth anatomy.
- Purchase protection
- A buyer reports refunds minus $20 and that the site deletes negative reviews.
Product record
- Title
- Premium Upper And Lower Retainer Set
- Brand
- ClearRetain
- Price
- $249 USD
- Availability
- In stock
- Rating
- 4.7 stars, 402 reviews, scale 5
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 4 sourcesUses
Clear retainers designed to hold teeth in place
These clear upper and lower retainers are designed to hold your teeth in place and prevent shifting — not to close gaps or straighten teeth, as aligners would. You take impressions of your teeth yourself with the included putty and trays (small, medium, and large for each arch), send them back, and ClearRetain creates the custom set; one customer reported using her son's existing molds from his orthodontist instead of taking new impressions. Many verified customer reviews report a good or perfect fit and comfortable feel, though one Reddit user found the lower retainer easier than the upper and reported being told it wasn't going to work for their peg tooth.[1,2]
Replacing retainers after braces
This upper and lower set is an option when you want to replace the retainers from past braces treatment. One verified customer reported the fit was better and the material thinner than his original post-braces retainers, and another said that when he needs a new retainer, he can order it from the stored digital record ClearRetain keeps on file.[1]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Premium Upper And Lower Retainer Set: Choose this if you want a slim upper-and-lower retainer set made at home from your own impressions: the kit includes 6 sets of putty, 3 upper and 3 lower trays, a prepaid return label, and a retainer case, and ClearRetain describes the .76mm BPA- and phthalate-free retainers as 24% thinner than standard ones. ClearRetain describes these as its thinnest, most comfortable, and most durable retainers, and a 120-Day Guarantee offers a free remake or refund (excluding shipping and material costs); reviewers report the impressions were pretty easy and the retainers fit perfectly. Note the retainers are meant only to hold teeth in place, not to close gaps or straighten them, ClearRetain says over 98% fit perfectly but a bad impression can mean a remake, and a Reddit user reported the upper impression was not easy and was told their peg tooth would not work.[1,2] | Upper And Lower Retainers Set: Choose this if you want a complete upper-and-lower clear retainer replacement made from a kit you take impressions with at home, then mail back with the included prepaid shipping label. Each 1mm-thick set is ultra-clear, stain-resistant, BPA and phthalate-free, and backed by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee covering free remake or refund and free replacement for defective or normally-cracked retainers within that window. It's made to hold teeth in place, not straighten them or close gaps, so it's for people whose teeth haven't shifted after losing their original retainer.[3] | Upper And Lower Retainer-Night Guard Set: Choose this if you wear retainers at night and also grind or clench your teeth and want both arches covered: the set includes one upper and one lower guard, with hard premium material the brand says protects against heavy grinding while holding teeth in position like a traditional retainer, made from BPA- and phthalate-free orthodontic-grade material and custom-fit from impressions you take at home. Note it will not fit correctly if brackets, buttons, cosmetic gems, or leftover cement remain on your teeth, and one verified reviewer reported the lower guard did not fit. Fit is backed by a 120-day remake-or-refund guarantee.[4] |
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
Two transparent dental retainers shown resting on a single teal hard-shell oval case. Case has a rounded top, visible seam and a small snap-style latch on the front-right edge.
- Upper retainerClear/translucent upper dental retainer (U-shaped) placed on top of the case, showing tooth impression details and smooth glossy surface.
1 region
x 0.32 · y 0.10 · w 0.45 · h 0.28 (high) - Lower retainerClear/translucent lower dental retainer (U-shaped) positioned in front of the case, showing individual tooth impressions and a glossy finish.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.53 · w 0.64 · h 0.40 (high) - Case shapeOpaque hard-shell oval case with rounded edges and a slightly domed top, shown closed with a visible horizontal seam around its perimeter.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.20 · w 0.56 · h 0.55 (high) - Case latchSmall rounded snap-style latch on the front-right edge of the case where the lid meets the base.
1 region
x 0.66 · y 0.55 · w 0.08 · h 0.08 (medium)
Other
Studio-style product shot on a white background with soft shadows and a marketing overlay label at the top-left.
- Shot compositionCentered product shot on a clean white background with soft shadow beneath the case and retainers.
- Lighting and shadowEven, diffuse lighting producing soft shadows under the case and retainers and slight glossy highlights on plastic surfaces.
- Marketing overlay text“Best Seller”
1 region
x 0.02 · y 0.03 · w 0.40 · h 0.18 (high)
Colors
teal· case exterior#00B2B5clear / translucent· retainers#00C2C6- Upper retainerClear/translucent upper dental retainer (U-shaped) placed on top of the case, showing tooth impression details and smooth glossy surface.
- 02
Product
Two clear, molded dental retainers (upper and lower) are shown resting on and in front of a teal hard plastic storage case. The retainers are translucent and show tooth impression detail.
- Upper retainer geometryClear molded dental tray shaped for an upper arch with visible individual tooth impressions and scalloped gumline around the perimeter; rests on top of the case.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.06 · w 0.50 · h 0.30 (high) - Lower retainer geometryClear molded dental tray shaped for a lower arch with clearly defined tooth impression pockets and a continuous thin rim; positioned in front of the case and slightly overlapping the foreground surface.
1 region
x 0.15 · y 0.55 · w 0.70 · h 0.40 (high) - Retainer surface textureTranslucent smooth plastic with subtle glossy highlights and internal impressions from teeth; material appears uniform and thin.
- Occlusion and overlapUpper retainer sits atop the case lid; lower retainer overlaps the front edge of the case and extends down toward the image bottom.
Packaging
Teal hard plastic clamshell storage case with rounded triangular/oval shape, visible hinge and snap closure on the right side.
- Case shapeRounded triangular/oval hard plastic case with smooth domed lid and a flat base; lid is teal and slightly glossy.
1 region
x 0.15 · y 0.18 · w 0.70 · h 0.55 (high) - Hinge and snapVisible molded hinge and a small snap-style closure on the right front edge of the case where lid and base meet.
1 region
x 0.68 · y 0.58 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Studio shot with plain light background, soft shadow under the case, even top lighting and slight reflections on plastic surfaces.
- Background and lightingUniform off-white background with soft, diffused lighting producing gentle shadows beneath the case and soft highlights on plastic surfaces.
- ShadowSoft, pale gray shadow visible beneath and slightly right of the case and lower retainer, indicating top-left light source.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.68 · w 0.48 · h 0.20 (medium) - Image crop and focusProduct is centered and fills most of the frame; edges of the lower retainer are fully visible and image is in sharp focus on product.
Colors
clear / transparent· upper and lower retainers#C3CCCCteal· storage case lid and basePackaging#00AEB2- Upper retainer geometryClear molded dental tray shaped for an upper arch with visible individual tooth impressions and scalloped gumline around the perimeter; rests on top of the case.
- 03
Product
Two clear, U-shaped dental retainers (transparent thermoformed trays) are shown resting over and in front of two teal clamshell cases; retainers are glossy and semi-translucent with visible tooth impressions.
- Upper retainer on top caseTransparent U-shaped dental tray resting on top of the upper right teal case, showing molded tooth impressions and a smooth glossy surface; tray follows the arch shape and is semi-translucent.
1 region
x 0.58 · y 0.05 · w 0.36 · h 0.29 (high) - Lower retainer in front of top caseSecond transparent U-shaped tray positioned in front of and slightly below the upper right case, showing tooth impressions on inner surface and a curved open U form.
1 region
x 0.60 · y 0.24 · w 0.30 · h 0.35 (high) - Upper retainer on bottom caseTransparent U-shaped dental tray placed on the left-lower teal case, displaying molded tooth outlines and glossy finish matching the other tray.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.55 · w 0.40 · h 0.30 (high) - Lower retainer in front of bottom caseTransparent U-shaped tray positioned in front of and slightly below the lower-left case, curved open shape with visible cusp and occlusal detail.
1 region
x 0.05 · y 0.73 · w 0.42 · h 0.24 (high) - Surface texture and finishAll trays have a smooth glossy finish and are semi-translucent, allowing light to pass and revealing detailed tooth impression geometry.
- Quantity visibleTwo identical teal clamshell cases and four transparent trays (two trays per case, one resting on each case and one in front of each case).
Packaging
Two hard clamshell cases in a bright teal color with a rounded triangular lid and a visible front snap hinge; each case holds or is paired with a clear retainer.
- Case shapeRounded triangular clamshell case with a gently domed lid and slightly flattened base, oriented with the pointed corner toward image center.
2 regions
x 0.55 · y 0.05 · w 0.39 · h 0.37 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.50 · w 0.42 · h 0.39 (high) - Case closure detailSmall rounded snap hinge or clasp visible on the front edge of each teal case where the lid meets the base.
2 regions
x 0.75 · y 0.36 · w 0.06 · h 0.05 (medium); x 0.32 · y 0.80 · w 0.06 · h 0.05 (medium)
Other
Studio-style product shot on a clean white background with soft shadows; two product sets arranged diagonally across the frame.
- Background and stagingEven white background with subtle soft shadows beneath cases and trays, isolating the products.
- CompositionTwo identical sets arranged diagonally from lower-left to upper-right, cropped with some negative space on the right and top edges.
- LightingBright, diffuse lighting producing soft shadows and highlights on glossy surfaces; reflections visible on the trays and cases.
Colors
bright teal· case exteriorPackaging#00B2B5clear / translucent· retainer trays#00C3C6- Upper retainer on top caseTransparent U-shaped dental tray resting on top of the upper right teal case, showing molded tooth impressions and a smooth glossy surface; tray follows the arch shape and is semi-translucent.
Variants
2 SKUs| SKU | Title | Price | Avail |
|---|---|---|---|
| PREMIUM-UPPER-LOWER-RETAINERS | Premium Upper and Lower Retainer Set - Premium Upper and Lower Retainer Set | $169.00$249.00 | Yes |
| 4765552191 | Premium Upper and Lower Retainer Set - Add A Backup Retainer Set For Just $49 (Duplicate Copy. Not for 2 People) | $218.00$419.00 | Yes |
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
401 total401 reviews · out of 5
Retainers fit correctly. A+
Reddit Insights
3 threads · r/orthodontics, r/Atlanta, r/smiledirectclubOverall, Reddit users have mixed but leaning positive experiences with ClearRetain retainers, praising comfort and affordability while noting potential issues with upper impressions, refunds, and cavity risk.
Multiple users report positive durability/comfort (e.g., six months sturdy, premium comfortable), but others mention upper retainer impression difficulties, refund issues, and cavity risk.
Themes
Use Cases
- Nighttime retainer wear after orthodontic treatment
- Replacement for lost retainers
- Protection for teeth grinding/clenching at night
- Comfortable premium option vs standard
Watch Out For
Community Q&A
- How long do they take to reply to impression picture emails?
- About a week, with some users finding it annoying and reporting difficulty getting refunds.
- Can ClearRetain retainers hold up to teeth grinding/clenching?
- Yes, users report they remained sturdy after six months of nightly use.
- Are the premium ClearRetain retainers more comfortable than standard?
- Yes, some users find the Premium more comfortable.
Compared To
vs Byte night aligners
ClearRetain premium retainers are way more comfortable than Byte night aligners.
vs Old school thick plastic retainers
ClearRetain is much more comfortable than old school thick plastic retainers.
vs Sporting Smiles
Clear Retain's customer service is night and day compared to Sporting Smiles, though durability wasn't yet tested.
Source Threads
Upper retainer issues and refund/cavity cautions
I tried clear retain. I would not try it unless you only need a lower retainer. The lower retainer is easier. The upper retainer is not easy. They do have customer service available to assist, but I was told that my teeth were distorted. I was told that one tooth was distorted and when I explained that it is a smaller tooth because it is a peg tooth, they told me that it was not going to work. If you need a refund it is the amount you paid minus $20. Additionally, the manager told me that she deletes all negative reviews on their site. I’m not sure if this would be considered a negative review. Finally, I was told that a number of individuals are at a higher risk for cavities because the saliva sits in the retainer at night.
u/OfvaluenotofsuccessView thread →
Positive experience with ClearRetain for grinding
I was worried they wouldn't be sturdy enough because I grind/clench my teeth at night, but I have had them for like six months now and they've been fantastic. Not just sturdy but much more comfortable than the old school thick plastic ones I had from decades ago.
u/lovebylettersView thread →
Premium ClearRetain comfort vs Byte aligners
I did the premium retainers from Clear Retain. They are way more comfortable than the night Byte aligners.
u/TenderheartedFloofView thread →
Provenance
- Merchant Link
- https://clearretain.com/products/premium-upper-and-lower-retainer-set
- Platform
- shopify
- Updated