Patient Cost Office Overhead Replace as needed $200-$800 1. 2. 3. 4. Chair time Impression/scan Create model Retainer lab fee Retainer insurance $100-$500 annually plus $0-$200 per set 1. 2. 3. 4. Chair time Impression/scan Create model Retainer lab fee Lifetime retainers $500-$1,000 at start of treatment 1. 2. 3. 4. Chair time Impression/scan Create model Retainer lab fee $99 annual fee* Initial Scan Included with treatment 1. 2. 3. 4. Subscription retainers* Free retainers for life *Retainer Club Silver Plan used in this example 44 NOVEMBER 2019 // orthotown.com Chair time Impression/scan Create model Retainer lab fee These offices count on patients to wear their retainers as instructed and return to the office at a regular interval for evaluation of the fit of the retainers and the orthodontic results. Replacing retainers usually involves two appointments: an impression or scan appointment and a delivery appointment. Retainer insurance: This program is uniquely designed by each office with the goal of lessening the cost of lost or broken retainers. A nominal annual or monthly premium is paid to the office to keep enrollment current. If a replacement retainer is needed, the patient must come into the office for an impression or scan and pay the reduced insurance rate for replacement of the retainers. The patient benefits from the reduced fee they pay for replacement retainers. The process generally involves two office appointments: an impression or scan appointment and a delivery appointment. Lifetime retainers: Programs like this acknowledge that retainers are a lifetime commitment and that they should be replaced periodically over time. In general, this program is presented as an additional service at the initial treatment consultation. Fees range between $500 and $800 added to the treatment fee, but they are often spread out over the financing term for the treatment fee as a whole. This fee gives access to free or significantly discounted retainers as long as patients bring in their models, which are given to them at the end of treatment. If the models are lost or broken, an additional fee may be charged. After the regular required retention appointments, patients in this program may replace their retainers by returning to the office and presenting their orthodontic models. They can then return to the office after the retainers have been fabricated for a fit-and-deliver appointment.http://www.orthotown.com