ClearRetain
Upper Retainer-Night Guard
The Upper Retainer-Night Guard by ClearRetain is a custom-made, dual-purpose dental appliance that combines an upper retainer and a hard night guard in a single piece, holding the upper teeth in their corrected position while providing a protective barrier against nighttime grinding (bruxism) and clenching. It is fabricated in the U.S.A. by a dental lab using state-of-the-art computerized equipment from a self-impression kit (upper tray, impression putty, and prepaid USPS return box) supplied after ordering, and is made from BPA- and phthalate-free orthodontic-grade thermoplastic described as the brand's thinnest, most durable, and least noticeable night guard material. Key specifications and terms: upper arch only, greater than 98% first-try fit rate, 120-day guarantee with free remake or refund excluding shipping and material costs, HSA/FSA eligible, not suitable if brackets, buttons, cosmetic gems, or leftover cement remain on tooth surfaces (a bonded permanent retainer requires contacting the company first), and buyers with loose fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, or significant decay are advised to consult the company because oral appliances may exacerbate existing issues; user reports describe the retainers as durable (lasting at least a year before cracking) and comfortable, while noting upper impressions can be difficult and may require retaking, with email impression approvals sometimes taking about a week.
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care
Retainer-Night Guard
Specifications
The ClearRetain Upper Retainer-Night Guard combines the teeth-retaining benefits of a retainer with the protection of a night guard in one custom-made appliance. It holds upper teeth in their corrected position while protecting against grinding and clenching.
Combines retainer and night guard; hard premium material protects against grinding and clenching; thinnest and least noticeable night guard material; BPA and phthalate-free orthodontic grade materials; custom-made using state-of-the-art computerized equipment; made in USA; HSA/FSA eligible; 120-day guarantee.
- Material
- BPA and phthalate-free orthodontic grade materials
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Weight
- 4.5 oz
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care
Additional Attributes
- BPA-free
- phthalate-free
- orthodontic-grade material
- custom-made
- made in USA
- HSA/FSA eligible
- 120-day guarantee
- hard protective material
- thinnest night guard material
- least noticeable
Product Insights
ClearRetain's Upper Retainer-Night Guard merges two jobs—holding alignment and protecting against grinding—that separate products handle poorly, doing both in one BPA- and phthalate-free hard acrylic arch for $189 (often $115 on sale, roughly 73% below dentist-office night guards and HSA/FSA-eligible). It is built for longevity over plush comfort: a single hard layer with no soft liner adds about 1mm to bite height, covers the upper arch only, and demands cleaning with a soft brush and mild soap since denture tablets can degrade the material. Its core promise is durable, affordable, dual-function protection for straightforward anatomies, validated by a 120-day crack-free warranty and reports of 2–5+ year lifespan, but buyers trade off the softness of lined guards, accept a home-impression process that can require redo, and should know heavy grinders may need a thicker option.
Verified claims
- Dual function
- Standard retainers are too thin for grinding; plain night guards don't hold alignment — this does both.
- Price vs office
- At $115, it runs ~73% below dentist-made night guards and is HSA/FSA-eligible
- Durability
- A long-term user reports each guard lasts at least a year before cracking.
- Build
- Single hard layer with no soft liner; clean with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap, not denture tablets.
- Thickness
- 1.02 mm at the biting surface raises bite height ~1 mm; heavy grinders are steered to a thicker grind-guard retainer.
- Fit
- Home impressions fit comparably to dentist-taken ones for straightforward anatomy.
- Impression process
- The single upper-arch impression is photo-reviewed before the lab fabricates the guard.
- Bite height
- The guard adds roughly 1mm to the bite surface while worn.
- Lifespan
- A repeat buyer reports the budget guard cracking at a year; this hard premium guard is the longer-lasting tier.
- Care
- Clean with a soft brush and mild soap; effervescent denture tablets may be harsh on the material.
- Guarantee
- Cracks from normal use are replaced free for 120 days, double the standard 60-day window.
- Backup price
- Priced $189 (sale $115); adding a $25 backup makes a two-guard set $140.
- Price positioning
- The $115 sale price is roughly 73% below the $430 dentist-office night-guard floor.
- Value
- HSA/FSA-eligible even bought mail-order without a prescription; effective pre-tax cost ~$80–92.
- Effective cost
- With HSA/FSA pre-tax dollars, the $115 price effectively costs about $86.25.
- Reimbursement timing
- HSA reimbursement has no deadline; can also absorb year-end FSA funds.
- Comfort
- Buyers report these are more comfortable than Byte night aligners.
- Arch coverage
- Upper-arch-only guard; covers all teeth through the back molars.
- Warranty
- 120-day guarantee covers normal-use cracks and breakage, not loss, pet damage, or heavy-grinding wear.
- Cleaning routine
- Clean with a soft toothbrush and mild soap or retainer cleaner; skip effervescent denture tablets.
- Longevity
- Hard acrylic resists grooving and typically lasts 2–5+ years; heavy grinding or poor care shortens that.
- Material
- BPA- and phthalate-free orthodontic-grade plastic — not merely a BPA-free label.
- Impression approval
- Impression approval can take about a week; rejected impressions require a full redo.
- Returns
- Refunds deduct shipping and material costs; fit and crack fixes are remakes, not refunds.
- Backup option
- Two variants offered, plus an optional $25 backup copy for a $140 two-guard set.
- Backup economics
- An extra copy of your guard is a $25 add-on — a $140 two-guard set that stays HSA/FSA eligible.
- Competitors
- Reddit buyers report it is more comfortable than Byte's night aligners.
Product record
- Title
- Upper Retainer-Night Guard
- Brand
- ClearRetain
- Price
- $189 USD
- Availability
- In stock
- Rating
- 4.8 stars, 4 reviews, scale 5
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 3 sourcesUses
Keep teeth straight and guard against grinding
This appliance is for people who wear a retainer at night and also grind or clench their teeth — ClearRetain describes it as one custom-made guard that both holds the upper teeth in their corrected position and provides a hard, protective barrier against grinding and clenching. It's fitted from a self-impression kit you take at home. Note that it won't fit correctly over brackets, gems, or leftover cement, and ClearRetain advises contacting them if you have a bonded permanent retainer.[1]
Product comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Upper Retainer-Night Guard: Choose this if you wear an upper retainer at night and also grind or clench: it holds your upper teeth in their corrected position like a traditional retainer while its hard premium material protects against heavy grinding, all in one custom-made appliance. ClearRetain calls it their thinnest, most durable, least noticeable night guard material, custom-made with computerized equipment for a precise fit (over 98% of their appliances fit on the first try). Note it won't fit correctly if you still have brackets, buttons, cosmetic gems, or leftover cement on your teeth — these must be removed before taking your at-home impression, and anyone with a bonded permanent retainer should contact ClearRetain before ordering.[1] | Upper And Lower Retainer-Night Guard Set: Choose this if you wear a retainer at night but also grind or clench your teeth and want both jobs in one custom appliance. The set includes one upper and one lower guard made from hard premium material—ClearRetain's thinnest, most durable, and least noticeable night guard material—that retains teeth in their corrected position while protecting against heavy grinding and clenching, and a self-impression kit is mailed to you after ordering. Note it won't fit correctly if you still have brackets, buttons, cosmetic gems, or leftover cement on your teeth, and one reviewer reported the lower guard did not fit, though ClearRetain says over 98% of its appliances fit perfectly on the first try.[2] | Hard Night Guard: Choose this for heavy nighttime clenching or grinding: it's a 2mm single layer of clear, hard laminate that the merchant says is designed for that use and also serves as an extra-durable retainer, in either an upper- or lower-arch version. Each guard is custom-made from impressions you take at home with the included kit, though the merchant notes some customers botch their first impression attempt. Multiple reviewers report a snug or tight fit at first that eases with wear — one needed a remake for a painful fit — so expect an adjustment period, backed by a 60-day remake-or-refund guarantee if you're not satisfied.[3] |
Image Analysis
2 images- 01
Product
A clear, single-piece upper dental night guard sits on top of a rounded mint-green storage case; the guard is transparent with visible tooth-shaped impressions and a thin rim.
- Overall shapeU-shaped single-piece mouthguard following an upper dental arch with individual tooth cavities visible along the inner curve.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.18 · w 0.56 · h 0.52 (high) - Material and finishTransparent glossy thermoplastic material with smooth outer surfaces and slightly textured/contoured inner tooth impressions that catch highlights.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.20 · w 0.50 · h 0.48 (high) - Rim detailThin continuous rim around the perimeter of the guard visible as a narrow clear band, slightly raised above the tooth impression cavities.
1 region
x 0.32 · y 0.22 · w 0.46 · h 0.44 (high) - Occlusal surface appearanceUpper occlusal surfaces show individual cusp and fissure contours in each tooth cavity, producing small internal highlights and soft shadows.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.16 · w 0.20 · h 0.30 (medium)
Packaging
Rounded rectangular mint-green plastic storage case with a visible front clasp hinge, shown beneath the guard.
- Case geometryRounded rectangular compact case with a domed top and softened edges; case sits flat and fills the lower center of the image.
1 region
x 0.14 · y 0.46 · w 0.72 · h 0.42 (high) - Case material and finishMatte plastic finish with even, soft specular highlights indicating a smooth but non-glossy surface.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.50 · w 0.64 · h 0.34 (high) - Front claspIntegrated front hinge/clasp element visible at the lower right front edge of the case, with a small circular hole detail in the clasp.
1 region
x 0.61 · y 0.70 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Studio shot with white background, soft diffuse lighting, and minimal shadows; product is centered and cropped from above at a slight angle.
- Shot compositionAngled top-down studio view showing the guard resting on the case; composition leaves generous white space around the product.
- BackgroundUniform near-white background with no visible textures or props.
- Lighting and shadowsSoft, even lighting producing gentle diffuse shadows beneath the case and subtle specular highlights on the clear guard.
Colors
translucent clear· night guard#C5CCC2mint green· storage casePackaging#BCD3A3- Overall shapeU-shaped single-piece mouthguard following an upper dental arch with individual tooth cavities visible along the inner curve.
- 02
Product
Transparent thermoformed upper dental night guard with visible tooth impressions and scalloped gingival outline; two instances shown resting on cases, one cropped.
- Material and finishThin transparent rigid thermoplastic with glossy surface reflections across its outer faces
2 regions
x 0.58 · y 0.06 · w 0.36 · h 0.34 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.56 · w 0.48 · h 0.38 (high) - Tooth impression detailDistinct negative tooth-shaped cavities along the occlusal inner surface showing individual tooth outlines and cusps
2 regions
x 0.58 · y 0.06 · w 0.36 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.56 · w 0.48 · h 0.26 (high) - Gingival scalloped edgeThin rim follows a scalloped arch consistent with an upper dental arch; rim is slightly thicker than the midwall
2 regions
x 0.58 · y 0.06 · w 0.28 · h 0.28 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.56 · w 0.36 · h 0.32 (high) - Overall shapeHorseshoe/arch shape matching an upper dental arch with open palatal area; both units oriented with the arch opening toward image lower-left
2 regions
x 0.58 · y 0.06 · w 0.36 · h 0.34 (high); x 0.06 · y 0.56 · w 0.48 · h 0.38 (high)
Packaging
Rounded rectangular mint green hard case with integrated hinge and a small circular drainage or vent hole; two cases visible, one cropped.
- Case shapeRounded rectangular clamshell case with domed lid and smooth matte finish
2 regions
x 0.56 · y 0.12 · w 0.40 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.03 · y 0.60 · w 0.44 · h 0.34 (high) - Hinge and claspNarrow molded hinge/clasp band runs around the front edge with a small circular hole or vent near the clasp
2 regions
x 0.71 · y 0.34 · w 0.22 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.82 · w 0.36 · h 0.12 (high) - Surface textureSmooth slightly satin or matte plastic surface with even color and soft highlight gradients
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.12 · w 0.40 · h 0.36 (high)
Other
Studio-style shot with two product+case groupings on a plain light gray background; soft even lighting with minimal shadows; one grouping is cropped at the lower-left.
- CompositionTwo identical product arrangements placed diagonally from top-right to bottom-left; lower arrangement is partially cropped by the image edge
- BackgroundUniform very light gray background with no visible texture or props
- Lighting and reflectionsSoft diffuse lighting producing gentle highlights on the transparent guard and subtle soft shadows beneath the cases
Colors
transparent clear· night guard#C2CCBCmint green· case exteriorPackaging#BCD4A3- Material and finishThin transparent rigid thermoplastic with glossy surface reflections across its outer faces
Variants
2 SKUs| SKU | Title | Price | Avail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48129153597688 | Upper Retainer-Night Guard - Upper Retainer-Night Guard | $115.00$189.00 | Yes |
| 48280301240568 | Upper Retainer-Night Guard - Add A Backup Retainer-Night Guard For $39 (Duplicate Copy. Not for 2 People) | $154.00$349.00 | Yes |
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
4 total4 reviews · out of 5
Everything great! Great service and fast ship
Reddit Insights
2 threads · r/orthodontics, r/smiledirectclubClearRetain retainers are generally well-received for affordability and durability, though upper retainers can be difficult and customer service response times/refund policies draw some complaints.
Positive comments highlight durability (lasting at least a year) and premium comfort, while negative comments mention difficulty with upper retainers, slow email approval responses, and a refund process that deducts a fee.
Themes
Use Cases
- Maintaining teeth alignment after orthodontic treatment
- Protecting teeth from grinding at night
- Comfortable alternative to Byte aligners for nighttime wear
Watch Out For
Community Q&A
- How long do ClearRetain retainers last?
- At least a year before cracking, based on one user who regularly buys the cheaper version.
- How does the impression process work?
- Users receive a kit, take impressions at home, email a photo for approval, and mail them in; impressions can be redone if needed.
- Are premium retainers more comfortable than standard ones?
- Yes, the premium version is reported as more comfortable.
Compared To
vs Sporting Smiles
Some users prefer ClearRetain's customer service over Sporting Smiles, citing negative experiences with Sporting Smiles durability and support.
vs Byte Aligners
ClearRetain premium retainers are reported to be more comfortable than Byte night aligners.
Source Threads
ClearRetain retainers last at least a year and have good customer service
I have been buying my retainers from clear retain ever since I lost my first set from my ortho, which was about 4-5 years ago. I just got my 4th set from clear retain last week, so I can say from experience that they last at least a year before they start cracking. Considering that I always buy the cheaper ones, I think that’s pretty good.
u/Jasmineford123r/orthodonticsView thread →
ClearRetain premium retainers are more comfortable than Byte aligners
I did the premium retainers from Clear Retain. They are way more comfortable than the night Byte aligners.
u/TenderheartedFloofr/smiledirectclubView thread →
Provenance
- Merchant Link
- https://clearretain.com/products/retainerguard
- Platform
- shopify
- Updated