ClearRetain
Lower Retainer-Night Guard
The Lower Retainer-Night Guard by ClearRetain is a custom-made, clear thermoformed lower dental appliance that combines a lower retainer with a night guard, holding lower teeth in their corrected position while providing a hard protective barrier against grinding and clenching. It is fabricated in the USA in the company's dental lab under orthodontist supervision from BPA- and phthalate-free orthodontic-grade thermoplastic at 1.02 mm thickness, produced from a self-impression kit (lower impression tray, impression putty, prepaid USPS return box) sent after ordering, and ships with a storage case; it is HSA/FSA eligible, priced at $115 (regular $189), and covered by a 120-day guarantee offering a free remake or refund excluding shipping and material costs, plus free replacement if the appliance cracks or breaks from normal use within 120 days. The manufacturer states over 98% of appliances fit correctly on the first attempt, notes the appliance will not fit if brackets, buttons, cosmetic gems, or leftover cement remain on tooth surfaces and that customers with bonded permanent retainers should contact the company before ordering, and holds a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews; a Reddit user on r/orthodontics reported the lower unit is easier to self-impress than the upper and advised getting impression approval before sending it back.
- Color
- Clear
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care > Supports & Braces
Retainer-Night Guard
- MPN
L-RNG
Specifications
Custom-made lower retainer and night guard combo that holds teeth in corrected position and protects against grinding and clenching. Made from BPA-free, phthalate-free orthodontic grade materials.
Combines retainer and night guard in one custom-made appliance. Made from hard premium material that is thin, durable, and least noticeable. Designed for lower teeth. Fabricated with state-of-the-art computerized equipment for precise fit. Includes dental impression kit for at-home use. Backed by a 120-day guarantee.
- Color
- Clear
- Material
- BPA and phthalate-free orthodontic grade material
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Weight
- 4.5 oz
- Category
- Health & Beauty > Health Care > Supports & Braces
Additional Attributes
- 80% less than most orthodontists
- Hassle-free returns
- Custom-made
- Precise fit
- Hard premium material
- Thinnest, most durable, least noticeable night guard material
- BPA-free
- Phthalate-free
- Orthodontic grade materials
- State-of-the-art computerized equipment
- Fabricated by experienced laboratory technician
- Supervised by orthodontist with 30+ years experience
- Made in the USA
- HSA/FSA eligible
- 120-Day Guarantee
- Over 98% fit on first try
- Combines retainer and night guard
- For lower teeth
- Night use
- Clear
Product Insights
ClearRetain's Lower Retainer-Night Guard merges orthodontic retention with full-arch bruxism protection in a lower-only horseshoe shape that leaves the palate exposed, reducing gagging while a CAD/CAM-milled interior keeps it snug through the molars. The orthodontic-grade dual-laminate—soft polyurethane inner, hard copolyester/acrylic outer, BPA- and phthalate-free—sits between a thin retainer and a thick night guard, making it best for mild-to-moderate grinding. A home impression (25-second mix, 5-minute set, photo approval) yields a first-try fit over 98% after brackets, buttons, gems, and cement are removed, undercutting dentist-dispensed Essix retainers and custom night guards. The main tradeoff is hygiene and durability: overnight saliva pooling can raise cavity risk, heavy grinders may crack the guard within a year and need a thicker product, and care demands cool water and a soft brush—no toothpaste or heat.
Verified claims
- Retention
- The custom-made guard's CAD/CAM-milled interior keeps it snug through the molars despite the thicker night-guard profile.
- Grinding protection
- Full-arch lower guard shields every tooth, molars included, from grinding and clenching; heavy grinders wear through the thin material faster and may need the thicker standalone hard night guard.
- Comfort
- Lower horseshoe shape leaves the palate exposed, so it rarely triggers gagging.
- Lower-arch fit
- Buyers report the lower retainer is easier to fit than an upper
- Grind protection
- One lower guard covers the whole lower arch, molars included, shielding all teeth from grinding contact.
- Cavity risk
- A full-coverage lower appliance traps saliva against the teeth overnight, which can raise cavity risk if plaque is not cleaned away before wear.
- Fit assurance
- First-try fit is over 98% once brackets, buttons, gems, and cement are removed
- Value
- At the $115 sale price, this DTC custom guard sits at the low end of the legitimate online custom band (roughly $95–$235) and well below typical dentist-made custom guards at $300–$800+.
- Warranty
- The 120-day premium guarantee provides free remakes from the on-file impression for cracks or breaks from normal usage; defects get a 60-day replacement, and refunds exclude shipping and material costs.
- Lower-arch design
- Lower horseshoe shape leaves the palate exposed and rarely triggers the gag reflex.
- Material
- Orthodontic-grade dual-laminate (soft polyurethane inner, hard copolyester/acrylic outer), BPA- and phthalate-free.
- Fit and profile
- ClearRetain does not publish an exact millimeter thickness, but this hybrid uses the thinnest, least noticeable night-guard material, thinner than the 2mm standalone hard guard; reference retainer thicknesses are 1mm standard and 0.76mm premium.
- Care
- Clean with cool water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush; never use toothpaste, which is abrasive enough to scratch the material.
- Grinding severity
- Best for mild-to-moderate bruxism; heavy grinding needs more thickness
- Fit and coverage
- Full-arch coverage through the molars; CAD/CAM interior keeps it seated at night
- Wear suitability
- Palate-free horseshoe design avoids gag reflex; one arch protects all teeth
- Lifespan
- Buyer-reported lifespan is at least a year before cracking, shorter with heavy grinding.
- Fit troubleshooting
- Initial tightness is normal and settles in a couple days; a lasting bad fit means the impression needs redoing.
- Impression process
- The home impression process requires taking a mold with the supplied kit, sending a photo for approval, and waiting for lab fabrication; no dentist visit or scan is needed.
- Guarantee terms
- 120-day guarantee: free remakes from the on-file impression for normal-use cracks; defects get a 60-day replacement, and refunds exclude shipping and material costs.
- Thickness vs durability
- ClearRetain does not publish the exact thickness, but this is the thinnest, least noticeable night-guard material, thinner than a 2mm standalone hard guard; grinders who crack it are routed to a thicker guard.
- Cavity hygiene
- Because a full lower appliance traps saliva against teeth overnight, brush and floss before inserting the guard to avoid trapping plaque against enamel.
- Cleaning
- Daily care: cool-water rinse and soft-toothbrush scrub, no toothpaste.
- Dental precautions
- Buyers report saliva pooling overnight raising cavity risk; call about bonded retainers or loose restorations first.
- Fit and wear
- Lower guard covers the full arch through the molars and is worn nearly full-time during the first 4–12 months after braces.
- Customer service
- Buyers report photo-approval email replies take about a week.
- Wear schedule
- Wear at night for retention and daytime for clenching; near full-time for 4–12 months after braces.
- Arch coverage
- Covers the full lower arch to the molars; a lower-only guard shields all teeth from grinding.
- Upper arch availability
- ClearRetain also sells this Retainer-Night Guard for the upper arch as a single appliance or as an upper/lower set; this listing is the lower-only version.
- Existing dental work caution
- ClearRetain cautions that wearing retainers, night guards, or other oral appliances can exacerbate loose fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, or significant tooth decay.
Product record
- Title
- Lower Retainer-Night Guard
- Brand
- ClearRetain
- Price
- $189 USD
- Availability
- In stock
- Rating
- 5 stars, 3 reviews, scale 5
Buying Guide
1 comparison · 4 sourcesProduct comparison
Compared within this brand.
| Lower Retainer-Night Guard: Choose this if you wear a retainer at night and also grind or clench your teeth — it holds your lower teeth in their corrected position like a traditional retainer while its hard premium material protects against heavy grinding and clenching. ClearRetain describes the material as their thinnest, most durable, and least noticeable night guard material — BPA- and phthalate-free orthodontic grade, custom-made from the impression you take at home. It won't fit correctly if brackets, buttons, cosmetic gems, or leftover cement remain on your tooth surfaces (these must be removed before your impression), and one Reddit author found the brand's lower retainer easier than its upper.[1,2] | Hard Night Guard: Choose this if you grind or clench your teeth heavily at night — the merchant designs this 2mm, single-layer hard laminate guard for heavy clenching and grinding, and it also serves as an extra durable retainer. It's customized from at-home impressions for either your upper or lower arch, is BPA- and phthalate-free, and reviewers report it withstanding their grinding and fitting well after a break-in. Expect that break-in: several wearers found it tight or snug for the first few days, and one needed a remake after painful tightness, though ClearRetain's 60-day guarantee provides a free remake.[3] | Premium Hard Night Guard: Choose this for heavy nighttime teeth clenching and grinding: ClearRetain designed it for that, with a thin 1.02mm profile the brand says is 49% thinner than its standard Hard Night Guard, made from clear hard laminate in single-layer construction. Its thinner profile is positioned as making for a more comfortable occlusion while still providing durable grinding protection, and it can double as an extra durable retainer. Note the page lists thickness as 1.02mm while its product description says 1.2mm.[4] |
Image Analysis
2 images- 01
Product
A clear thermoformed dental lower night guard is shown resting on top of a green rounded storage case. The guard is U-shaped with shaped tooth impressions and a thin uniform wall thickness.
- Overall shapeU-shaped clear dental appliance with a continuous arch matching lower dental anatomy; ends curve upward slightly.
1 region
x 0.17 · y 0.16 · w 0.66 · h 0.48 (high) - Tooth impression detailVisible individual tooth-shaped cavities and cusp detail across the arch; impressions appear rounded and anatomically contoured.
1 region
x 0.26 · y 0.27 · w 0.49 · h 0.30 (high) - Material appearanceTransparent, glossy thermoplastic material with specular highlights and slight internal texture from molding.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.18 · w 0.62 · h 0.40 (high) - Edge profileThin uniform rim along the outer edge of the guard with a smooth rounded finish.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.28 · w 0.56 · h 0.28 (medium)
Packaging
A rounded rectangular hard storage case in pale green with a front hinge and snap latch is visible and serves as the surface the guard rests on.
- Case shapeRounded rectangular box with softened corners and a slightly domed lid; visible top surface provides platform for the guard.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.42 · w 0.76 · h 0.48 (high) - Latch and hingeFront snap-latch and a seam for the hinge are visible at the lower front edge of the case; latch is a small molded tab.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.71 · w 0.31 · h 0.17 (medium) - Surface finishMatte to low-sheen plastic finish with subtle highlights and no visible text or labeling on the outer surface.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.46 · w 0.60 · h 0.40 (high)
Other
Studio-style product shot on a plain white background photographed from a slightly elevated front-right angle.
- Shot compositionProduct is centered in the lower two-thirds of the frame with empty white space above; camera angle is slightly elevated and rotated to the right.
- Lighting and shadowsEven diffuse lighting with soft shadows beneath the case and faint specular highlights on the guard.
- Image qualityHigh-resolution, sharply focused on product with neutral white background and no visible text or props aside from the case and guard.
Colors
clear (transparent)· night guard body#ABC39Bpale mint green· storage case exteriorPackaging#B3CC95- Overall shapeU-shaped clear dental appliance with a continuous arch matching lower dental anatomy; ends curve upward slightly.
- 02
Product
Two transparent thermoformed dental night guards are shown resting on top of two matte mint-green oval storage cases; the guards are clear, tooth-shaped trays with visible tooth impression anatomy.
- Transparent guard materialClear, glossy thermoformed dental tray with visible individual tooth impressions and scalloped gingival edges; tray is thin and translucent so underlying case color is visible through it.
2 regions
x 0.61 · y 0.07 · w 0.33 · h 0.26 (high); x 0.03 · y 0.52 · w 0.45 · h 0.36 (high) - Tooth anatomy detailRaised occlusal and cusp contours corresponding to individual teeth are visible across the guard surface; translucency highlights glossy reflections on raised areas.
1 region
x 0.61 · y 0.07 · w 0.33 · h 0.26 (high) - Orientation and placementTwo separate product arrangements visible: one guard centered on the top-right case showing more of the full tray, and a second partially cropped at lower-left showing a similar tray orientation.
Packaging
Matte oval mint-green hinged storage cases are visible under each guard; cases have a rounded raised lid and an external hinge/strap detail along the front edge.
- Case shape and finishOval, slightly domed plastic storage case with a smooth matte finish and rounded edges.
2 regions
x 0.58 · y 0.14 · w 0.36 · h 0.32 (high); x 0.03 · y 0.56 · w 0.45 · h 0.36 (high) - Hinge detailVisible front-edge hinge or clasp detail formed as a thin molded strap with a small circular peg hole on the right-side case.
2 regions
x 0.82 · y 0.36 · w 0.10 · h 0.08 (medium); x 0.22 · y 0.77 · w 0.18 · h 0.08 (medium)
Other
Studio-style composition on a plain light gray/white background with two product instances arranged diagonally; soft diffuse lighting minimizes hard shadows and creates subtle specular highlights on the clear trays.
- Shot compositionTwo copies of the same product arrangement are shown diagonally across the frame, the top-right copy more fully visible and the bottom-left copy partially cropped by the image edge.
- Background and lightingUniform pale gray or off-white background with even, diffuse lighting and soft minimal shadows beneath the cases.
- Image qualityHigh resolution with sharp focus on product surfaces and fine texture; slight specular reflections visible on the clear trays.
Colors
mint green· storage case exteriorPackaging#BCD3A4transparent clear· night guard tray#C2CCBC- Transparent guard materialClear, glossy thermoformed dental tray with visible individual tooth impressions and scalloped gingival edges; tray is thin and translucent so underlying case color is visible through it.
Variants
2 SKUsDocuments & Data
Customer Reviews
3 total3 reviews · out of 5
The retainer was made so well. It got here fast and your customer service was great.
Reddit Insights
1 threads · r/orthodonticsReddit users on r/orthodontics have mixed but generally positive experiences with ClearRetain, noting that the lower retainer is easier and that retainers last at least a year, though upper impressions and customer service have caveats.
Thread contains both positive experiences (durability, customer service, price) and negative caveats (upper retainer issues, review deletion, cavity risk) about ClearRetain, with lower retainer specifically considered easier.
Themes
Use Cases
- Replacement retainers after losing or damaging orthodontic retainers
- Nighttime wear to maintain teeth alignment and help with grinding
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Sporting Smiles
ClearRetain's customer service is described as better than Sporting Smiles, but durability was not yet known by the commenter.
Source Threads
ClearRetain lower retainer ease and caveats
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/Ofvaluenotofsuccessr/orthodonticsView thread →
Provenance
- Merchant Link
- https://clearretain.com/products/upper-retainer-night-guard-for-heavy-grinding-copy
- Platform
- shopify
- Updated