Enhance Dental · St Kilda Road
Vivera™ retainers in Melbourne
Keep caring for the smile you have worked towards. We provide genuine Vivera retainers after Invisalign or braces, with a digital TRIOS scan included at no extra cost.
From $195 per retainer. New patients are welcome, including people who completed treatment elsewhere.
With Dr Joseph Paino at Enhance Dental, Melbourne.
Clear fees · No extra scan charge
Vivera retainer costs in Melbourne
Choose a single replacement, an upper and lower pair, or three pairs so you have spare retainers ready. Each price below includes your TRIOS digital scan at no additional cost. All fees are in Australian dollars.
One retainer
One upper or one lower
$195
A single retainer for one arch.
One upper + one lower
Two retainers in total
$390
One complete upper and lower pair.
Three upper + three lower
Six retainers in total
$990
$165 per retainer
Save $180 compared with six individual retainers at $195 each.
These are retainer fees, not Invisalign treatment fees. If your teeth have moved or other dental care is needed, we will discuss the options and any separate fees before proceeding. Please ask us to confirm your requirements when booking.
After Invisalign or braces
What are Vivera retainers?
Vivera retainers are removable, clear appliances made to fit your teeth. They are used during the retention stage after orthodontic treatment: the ongoing care that helps maintain tooth position.
Although they look similar to clear aligners, their purpose is different. Invisalign aligners are a planned series that moves teeth; retainers are designed to help hold an agreed position. A replacement retainer is not a substitute for a new course of tooth straightening.
Learn about Invisalign treatment at Enhance Dental if you are still considering alignment.
Had treatment somewhere else?
Yes—we welcome retainer-only patients. You do not need to have had Invisalign or braces at Enhance Dental to ask us about genuine Vivera retainers.
Bring your current retainers, any unused spares and relevant treatment information. We will check your teeth, bite and existing retainers, then discuss a suitable retention plan.
If your original orthodontist has given you specific instructions, please bring those too so we can take them into account.
Material strength, clearly explained
Why choose genuine Vivera retainers?
At least 30% stronger material
Align Technology reports that Vivera material is at least 30% stronger than other leading clear retainer materials tested, including Essix Plus, Essix Ace, Essix C+ and Invisacryl A.1
*Manufacturer material-testing claim, based on Align data on file dated 13 January 2022. This does not mean every standard clear retainer was tested, that teeth stay 30% straighter, or that a retainer will last 30% longer. Wear, fit and replacement needs vary.
A custom fit and a traceable product
Vivera retainers are made for your teeth rather than supplied as a one-size-fits-all appliance. Digital records also make later replacement orders practical when the recorded tooth position is still appropriate.
Genuine Vivera retainers supplied by our practice are marked with the Invisalign logo. At fitting, we can show you the markings and explain which retainer belongs to each arch. The manufacturer’s instructions also describe upper/lower identification and a unique treatment number.2
We check the fit and explain how to insert and remove them comfortably. Please contact us if an edge rubs or your retainer does not seat properly.
A straightforward appointment
Your scan, order and fitting
- Review your retention needs. We discuss your previous treatment, check your tooth position and bite, and assess whether a new retainer is appropriate.
- Take a TRIOS digital scan. Your included scan records the shape and position of your teeth for your retainer order.
- Order your chosen retainers. We confirm the arches and quantity. The practice will advise the expected turnaround for your order; please tell us if you have lost your only retainer.
- Check the fit and plan ongoing care. We explain wearing, cleaning and storage, and when to arrange a review.
Your scan is retained permanently as part of your digital dental record at Enhance Dental. A later Vivera retainer can usually be reordered using the stored record, provided it remains suitable. If teeth have shifted, a crown or filling has changed their shape, or the fit needs reassessment, a new scan may be necessary.
A little planning helps
When should retainers be replaced?
Dr Paino generally recommends a fresh retainer each year. This is an individual practice recommendation, not a fixed lifespan guaranteed by the manufacturer. The right interval depends on maintenance, bite forces, visible wear and whether the retainer continues to fit well.
Book a review sooner if you notice cracking, holes, distortion, looseness, persistent discomfort or a change in fit. A spare pair can reduce the time spent without retainers if one is lost or damaged.
If your retainer no longer fits, do not force it onto your teeth. Contact us promptly so we can assess whether a replacement, a new scan or further alignment treatment is appropriate.
A plan that suits your teeth
Vivera, other clear retainers and fixed wires
Vivera retainers
Custom clear retainers with a manufacturer’s tested material claim and a digital replacement pathway. They are removable for meals and cleaning, so consistent wear matters.
Other removable retainers
Other clear retainers and Hawley-style retainers may be appropriate alternatives. Materials, design, repairability and fees differ; we can discuss the practical trade-offs for your situation.
Fixed retainers
A bonded wire stays behind selected teeth. It needs careful cleaning and checks for breakage or detachment. Some patients need both a fixed wire and a removable retainer.
A 2023 Cochrane review found the evidence too uncertain to identify one retention approach as best overall. That review concerned retention after braces and excluded aligner-treatment studies. Its findings do not establish that Vivera is clinically superior to every alternative.3 A 2026 clinical review also emphasises long-term retention, individual planning and shared responsibility for follow-up.4
Thinking about a change?
Switching from a bonded wire to Vivera retainers
We can remove an old bonded wire retainer if switching to Vivera is suitable for you. Please consult us first so we can assess your tooth position, bite, gum health and the condition of the wire, and discuss your previous orthodontic advice.
The wire and bonding material can create areas where plaque and tartar collect. Cleaning between the teeth is often more difficult than with a removable retainer, because ordinary floss cannot pass straight down past the wire. A floss threader, suitable orthodontic floss or correctly sized interdental brushes may be needed. Fixed retainers therefore need extra cleaning attention and regular checks.5
Vivera retainers can be taken out for brushing and flossing, making access to the teeth easier. They still need regular cleaning and must be worn consistently as prescribed. A fixed wire remains appropriate for some patients, and some people benefit from both types.
Consultation, cleaning and separate fees
Wire removal is charged separately from the Vivera retainer fees listed above. We will explain the proposed treatment and fees before proceeding.
You may need a scale and clean beforehand, particularly if plaque or hardened tartar has accumulated around the wire or your gums are inflamed. Any recommended cleaning or other treatment is discussed and quoted separately.
We plan the timing of wire removal, scanning and replacement retention together, so your teeth are not left without an appropriate retention plan. Please leave the wire in place until we have assessed it and agreed on the next steps.
Make care part of your routine
Wearing and cleaning your retainers
Follow your own wear schedule
Retention is a long-term commitment. Your clinician may initially recommend more frequent wear before moving to night-time wear. Follow the schedule prescribed for you; do not reduce wear simply because your teeth currently look straight.
Teeth can change position over time, even years after treatment. Keep regular dental reviews so we can assess your retainer, teeth and gums together.
Everyday essentials
- Remove retainers for meals and drinks other than water, and clean your teeth before putting them back.
- Clean retainers regularly with cool water and a suitable method recommended by your dentist and the manufacturer.
- Avoid hot water, harsh chemicals and mouthwash soaking. Keep them in their case when not worn, away from heat and pets.
- Ask us about persistent deposits or odour rather than using increasingly abrasive cleaning methods.
Read the Vivera use and care instructions (PDF) supplied with your retainers.
Dr Paino recommends the Dental Pod
The Dental Pod is a compact ultrasonic cleaner that can be ordered online to help with routine retainer cleaning. Dr Paino recommends it as a convenient addition to your daily care routine.
Use fresh cool water and follow both the cleaner’s instructions and your retainer-care instructions. If using a cleaning product, check that it is suitable for Vivera retainers. Rinse thoroughly before wearing.
Cleaning does not repair a worn retainer or replace brushing your teeth, dental check-ups or a fit assessment. An ultrasonic cleaner should not be described as sterilising your appliance.
View the Dental Pod on Zima’s Australian website ↗
Optional purchase from an external retailer; not included in the retainer fees above.
Helpful answers
Vivera retainer questions
Can I get Vivera retainers if I had braces elsewhere?
Yes. We welcome people who completed braces or Invisalign at another practice. We assess your current teeth and bite before ordering, and can take a new TRIOS scan included in the listed retainer fees.
Can I order just an upper or lower retainer?
Yes. One upper or one lower Vivera retainer is $195. An upper and lower pair is $390. We will check whether replacing only one arch is appropriate for your retention plan.
Does $990 mean three retainers or six?
Six: three upper and three lower retainers, making three complete pairs. The price works out to $165 per individual retainer. Your TRIOS scan is included at no extra cost.
Can you use my stored scan for another retainer?
Usually, if it still represents the tooth position and shape we need to retain. We keep your scan permanently in your digital dental record. Changes to teeth, restorations or fit can mean a new scan is the better option.
Do I need to change Vivera retainers every year?
Dr Paino generally recommends yearly replacement, with the interval tailored to condition, maintenance and bite forces. Some retainers need earlier replacement. Bring them to your dental review so we can check fit and wear.
What if I have lost my retainer or my teeth have moved?
Contact us promptly. We can assess replacement options and whether a stored scan is suitable. If teeth have moved, a new retainer may hold their current position; it will not necessarily recover the previous alignment. We will explain any separate treatment options and costs.
Is Vivera a night guard for teeth grinding?
No. Vivera is a retention appliance and is not cleared for treating bruxism. If you grind, clench or have jaw pain, tell us so we can assess whether a separate bite splint or jaw-pain management plan is needed. Do not assume a retainer replaces a prescribed splint.
Can I wear Vivera with a fixed wire retainer?
Sometimes both are appropriate. We need to check the wire and plan the removable retainer around it. If you prefer to switch to Vivera alone, we can assess whether removing the wire is suitable. Wire removal has a separate fee, and a scale and clean may be needed first. We agree on the timing and ongoing retention plan before removal. Tell us if a wire has detached, or if you are planning dental work that could alter the fit.
How do I identify genuine Vivera retainers?
Genuine Vivera retainers supplied by Enhance Dental carry Invisalign branding. We can show you the identification markings and confirm your order details at fitting. Ask us if you are unsure which retainer is which.
Will my health fund contribute?
Cover depends on your insurer, policy, limits and item eligibility. Ask us for the relevant item information and check directly with your fund before relying on a rebate. We cannot guarantee a benefit.
New and existing patients welcome
Need your first pair or a replacement?
Book a retainer appointment at Enhance Dental, Level 2, Suite 219, 566 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Let reception know whether you need a single retainer, one pair or three pairs—and whether your current retainer is lost, broken or no longer fitting.
Prefer to talk? Call (03) 9533 8488.
Research, manufacturer information and references
This page separates manufacturer material claims, independent retention research and Dr Paino’s practice recommendations. Material testing does not establish the best retainer for every patient.
- Align Technology: Vivera retainers, material comparison and supporting footnotes. See also Australian Vivera information.
- Align Technology: Vivera retainers—use and care instructions, document 223455 Rev A (PDF).
- Martin C, et al. Retention procedures for stabilising tooth position after treatment with orthodontic braces. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023;5:CD002283. Read on PubMed. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002283.pub5.
- Littlewood SJ. Posttreatment orthodontic care for retention and stability. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 2026;170(2):149–158. Read on PubMed. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2026.01.025.
- British Orthodontic Society: retainers and cleaning around bonded wires. See also the clinical guidelines on orthodontic retention (PDF), including plaque and calculus accumulation with fixed retainers.
- Zima Dental Australia: product information and care FAQs. Manufacturer information, not independent evidence of Vivera treatment outcomes.
Practice information and fees supplied by Dr Joseph Paino. Updated November 2026. General information; your retention plan is individual.
Invisalign and Vivera are trademarks of Align Technology, Inc.