Retainer Costs and Health Insurance: Your Guide to Optimal Cost Coverage
08.04.25
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
After the braces comes the retainer – but who covers the cost? Many patients are unsure which retainer costs are covered by health insurance and when supplementary insurance really pays out. This article highlights the cost traps and shows you clear ways to protect yourself financially during your important retention phase.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Statutory health insurance providers usually cover retainer costs only for removable models and for up to two years after treatment ends; fixed retainers are often a private expense.
The cost of fixed retainers is around €200 to €500 per jaw, while removable retainers are cheaper at €100 to €300.
A dental insurance add-on can significantly reduce or even fully cover the costs of retainers, especially fixed models and longer wearing periods.
Understanding retainer variants and their price ranges
The cost of a retainer varies depending on the type and extent. Removable retainers often cost between one hundred and three hundred euros per jaw. Fixed lingual retainers are usually more expensive, with prices of around two hundred to five hundred euros per jaw. These price differences reflect the material and labour involved in the respective stabilisation method. The choice of retainer therefore directly affects the initial financial considerations after your orthodontic treatment. Next, we look at how statutory health insurance funds handle these costs.
Statutory health insurance: These retainer costs are covered
Statutory health insurance (GKV) does not generally cover the costs of retainers. As a rule, the costs of a removable retainer are reimbursed for up to two years after completion of active orthodontic treatment. This two-year period is regarded as the medically necessary period for stabilisation. Fixed retainers, by contrast, usually have to be paid for privately by patients. An exception often applies in the case of severe crowding of the lower front teeth (KIG classification E3 or E4). In this case, the GKV may cover the costs of a fixed retainer in the lower jaw. For costs to be covered, orthodontic treatment must also usually have started before the age of 18. The exact conditions are regulated in Book Five of the Social Code (SGB V) §29, which defines entitlement to orthodontic treatment. A supplementary health insurance policy can be a useful addition here. Understanding these regulations is crucial before we turn to private options.
Expert tip: KIG classification as the key
The Orthodontic Indication Groups (KIG) play a central role. Classification in KIG three to five is often a prerequisite for the GKV covering the cost of initial treatment. This classification then also affects the possible coverage of retainer costs. Have your KIG status checked and documented by your orthodontist at an early stage. This creates clarity about the benefits you can expect from your health insurance. The correct classification can save you several hundred euros.
Private and dental supplementary insurance: more benefits for your smile
Where statutory health insurance (GKV) reaches its limits, private health insurance (PKV) and supplementary dental insurance often offer extended benefits. Many policies include cover for fixed retainers, which are not routinely covered by GKV. Reimbursement rates can amount to up to 100 per cent of the costs, depending on the policy. Some supplementary dental insurance policies also pay out when GKV refuses to contribute to the costs, for example when the retention period exceeds two years. It is important to check the policy details carefully, as waiting periods or initial benefit limits may apply. A practical example: good supplementary dental insurance can mean savings of over 300 euros for retainer costs of 400 euros per jaw. Careful selection of cover is therefore an important step towards optimising costs.
Our expert tip: comparing policies is worthwhile
When taking out supplementary dental insurance, look out for the following points to cover retainer costs as effectively as possible:
Does the policy explicitly cover costs for fixed and removable retainers?
What is the reimbursement rate (percentage)? Is there a maximum annual reimbursement limit?
Does the insurance also apply if GKV does not make a prior contribution?
Are there waiting periods before benefits for retainers can be claimed?
Are repairs or replacements of retainers also covered? One policy can reimburse up to 60 euros per repair here.
A detailed comparison, for example via our online insurance portal, will help you find the right cover. This way, you secure long-term protection.
Avoid cost traps: Forward planning is crucial
To avoid unexpectedly high costs for retainers, good preparation is essential. Always ask your orthodontist for a detailed treatment and cost plan. This should list all items transparently, including material and laboratory costs for the retainer. Clarify early on with your health insurer – whether statutory or private – which costs will be covered. Submit the treatment and cost plan before treatment begins to receive written confirmation. This creates financial security and avoids later surprises. Also ask about the option of instalment payments if a private co-payment is required; many practices offer this. Repairing a fixed retainer can quickly cost between twenty and sixty euros per bonding point. This forward-looking planning is an important building block for a worry-free retention phase.
Long-term benefits: Why investing in a retainer pays off
The cost of a retainer may initially seem like an additional burden. In the long term, however, this investment is worth its weight in gold. The retainer prevents your teeth from shifting back into their old misalignment after what is often years of expensive orthodontic treatment. Studies show that without sufficient retention, a relapse rate of up to ninety per cent within ten years is possible. The cost of further orthodontic correction would be many times higher than the initial retainer cost. In addition, a stable dentition contributes to overall oral health and can help prevent problems such as temporomandibular joint discomfort. So the initial outlay of perhaps four hundred euros for a retainer protects an investment of often several thousand euros in your dental health. This perspective underlines the importance of good protection.
Your next step towards cost certainty
Financing your retainer does not have to be a mystery. With the right information and suitable cover, you can significantly reduce the costs. nextsure supports you as a digital insurance portal in finding the ideal cover for your needs. We offer transparent comparisons and tailored solutions so that your smile stays bright and your wallet stays protected. Make use of our expertise for your dental health.
Request your personalised risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for optimisation.
More useful links
The Consumer Advice Centre provides comprehensive information on patient contributions, statutory health insurance benefits and additional costs for orthodontic treatment.
The Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) provides detailed information about retainer treatment after wearing braces.
The Consumer Advice Centre provides further information on follow-up retainer treatment after braces.
The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) provides access to an IGES report on orthodontic treatment.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds provides guidelines on orthodontic treatment.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV) provides information on fixed orthodontic appliances.
The Federal Dental Chamber (BZAEK) publishes a press release on a study about dental and jaw misalignments in children.
The German Society of Orthodontics (DGKFO) offers further information on its website about the specialty.
FAQ
Does my statutory health insurance cover the cost of a lingual retainer (fixed retainer)?
In most cases, you must cover the cost of a fixed lingual retainer yourself. An exception may apply in the case of medically documented severe crowding of the lower front teeth (KIG E3/E4); in that case, statutory health insurance (GKV) may cover the cost of the retainer in the lower jaw. Please clarify this in advance with your health insurer.
How much does it cost to repair a retainer?
Repairing a fixed retainer, for example reattaching a loose adhesive bond, costs around twenty to sixty euros per tooth. With removable retainers, if they break, a new one may need to be made, and the cost can vary.
Is dental supplementary insurance worth it for retainer costs?
Yes, supplementary dental insurance can be very worthwhile, especially if you want a fixed retainer or need a longer retention phase. It can cover a large part of the costs not covered by statutory health insurance. Compare tariffs carefully.
How long do I have to wear a retainer?
The wearing period is individual. Statutory health insurance often covers the costs for up to two years. However, orthodontists often recommend significantly longer, sometimes even lifelong retention, to secure the treatment result permanently.
What happens if I don't wear a retainer?
Without a retainer, there is a high risk (up to ninety percent) that your teeth will shift back into their original misalignment (relapse). This would undo the success of the orthodontic treatment and could make repeat, costly treatment necessary.
Can I deduct the costs of a retainer from my taxes?
Out-of-pocket medical expenses, which may also include certain dental treatment costs such as retainers, may in some circumstances be claimed as extraordinary expenses in your tax return. The prerequisite is that the reasonable threshold of burden is exceeded. It is best to speak to a tax adviser about this.
