Dental Splint: Price, Reimbursement, and Long-Term Solutions

Comparing the price of a dental splint only makes sense if you also measure the health/financial value over ten years. In this article, we cover all types of splints:

• night/bruxism (20 – 50 € at the pharmacy; 150 – 500 € custom-made),
  
• clear aligners for teeth realignment (800 – 5,000 € for the complete protocol),
  
• post-orthodontic retention (150 – 400 € per splint, to be replaced every two years),
  as well as a fixed alternative: the PEEK retention wire (250 – 350 € installed once). Social Security only reimburses medical splints (bruxism) and orthodontics for those under 16; the rest depends on private health insurance. In the long term, a fixed and biocompatible device such as the PEEK wire eliminates costly replacements and durably stabilizes the smile — an approach embodied by eZtain Lab.
  

Introduction: Why analyze all splint prices?

At first glance, one might think that simply choosing the cheapest splint is enough to protect or realign teeth. In reality, what matters is the health investment: immediate comfort, long-term hygiene, orthodontic stability, and… the cumulative budget over ten years.

Splints address three distinct uses:

1. Protecting enamel against nocturnal bruxism.
   
2. Aligning teeth with clear aligners.
   
3. Maintaining alignment after treatment (retention).
   

Each category involves a different level of customization, replacement frequency, and clinical follow-up. Before examining each device in detail, let’s first summarize the price ranges and coverage in a single table.

Summary Table of Prices — Overview

Primary Use	Device	Unit Price / Initial Package	Average Replacement	Cost over 10 years*	Social Security / Private Health Insurance Reimbursement
Protection (bruxism)	Standard Pharmacy Splint	20 – 50 €	1 × /year	200 – 500 €	None
	Custom-made Splint (night)	150 – 500 €	1 × / 3 years	500 – 1,500 €	70% of 172.80 € (≈ 121 €) + private health insurance
Active Alignment	Clear Aligners (package)	800 – 5,000 €	—	800 – 5,000 €	16 years old: €193.50/semester + health insurance
Post-treatment Retention	Retention Splint	150 – 400 €	1 × / 2 years	600 – 1,200 €	€0 (> 16 years old)
	PEEK Retention Wire	300 – 600 €	None	300 – 600 €	Generally included in the ortho package

*Assumption of rigorous maintenance and replacement at average intervals.

In the next three sections, we will detail prices, advantages, disadvantages, and coverage for each splint category. However, for post-treatment splints, the PEEK retention wire often stands out as the most cost-effective and safest long-term solution.

Section 1 – Night Splint (Bruxism)

What is the price of a night dental splint at the pharmacy?

The price of a night dental splint is between 20 € and 50 €, with no Social Security coverage.

The ‘thermoformable’ mouthguard sold in pharmacies softens in hot water; it is bitten into to roughly fit the teeth. While it provides a first barrier against wear caused by bruxism, its imprecise fit can cause joint pain or tongue discomfort, and its lifespan rarely exceeds a few months; it therefore needs to be changed almost every year.

Custom-made night splint: 150 € – 500 € (≈ 300 €)

1. Manufacturing: impression or 3D scan, rigid biocompatible resin.
   
2. Comfort: stabilized occlusion, no unwanted friction.
   
3. Durability: on average three years, sometimes more if the patient avoids hot water and cleans the appliance correctly.
   
4. Follow-up: possible adjustments in the clinic (polishing, balancing).
   

Coverage: NGAP code LBFA021 (base 172.80 €) reimbursed at 70% by Social Security (≈ 121 €). With private health insurance covering the co-payment, the remaining cost is around 130–180 € – compared to 400 € for successive replacements of a standard model over ten years.

Health Value

• Proven reduction (> 80%) of enamel wear.
  
• Reduction of temporomandibular tension.
  
• Better sleep quality (fewer micro-awakenings related to grinding).
  

Section 2 – Clear Alignment Splints

What is the price of a clear dental splint?

The clear alignment splint itself costs little, but it is purchased as part of a global package that is around 3,000 € in France.

What is the price of a splint to align teeth?

Depending on the complexity, a complete aligner protocol ranges from 800 € (express case, 6 months) to 5,000 € (for severe malocclusion, 24 months).

Comparison Table: Prices and Services of Alignment Splints

Brand / System	Simple Case*	Complex Case*	Visits Included	Specifics
Invisalign®	1,800 – 2,500 €	4,000 – 5,000 €	Every 6–8 weeks	Historical leader, advanced software ecosystem
Spark®	1,600 – 2,400 €	3,500 – 4,800 €	Standard visits	Highly translucent material
Smilers® (France)	1,400 – 2,200 €	3,200 – 4,200 €	Yes	Local manufacturing, short lead times
Dr Smile®	1,490 € pack	2,490 € pack	App monitoring (+1–2 centers)	Low-cost direct-to-consumer positioning
Impress / PlusDental	1,600 – 2,000 €	3,000 – 4,000 €	Hybrid monitoring	Urban centers, aggressive pricing
In-house practice	1,300 – 2,000 €	3,000 – 4,500 €	Personalized visits	Aligners printed in-house

*Simple case: 10 aligners / 6 months. Complex case: > 18 months, several tens of aligners.

Winners and Losers of Clear Aligner Brands

Budget Winners

• “In-house” practices: in-office aligner fabrication, which significantly reduces laboratory costs.
• Smilers®: French solution with a good price/follow-up balance, refinements generally included.

Clinical Quality Winners

• Invisalign®: very comprehensive protocols, advanced digital planning, and extensive refinements.
• Spark®: highly translucent material and good fit precision, appreciated for aesthetic cases.

More Fragile Solutions in Terms of Medical Follow-up

• Low-cost direct-to-consumer offers: clinical follow-up often limited, with few physical appointments, which can increase the risk of imperfect adjustment or relapse.

Less optimal solutions for ‘long-term budget’

Treatments requiring numerous adjustments: additional refinements sometimes charged, leading to unforeseen extra costs.

Invisalign® for complex cases: high overall cost that can exceed 5,000 €.

Why such price differences between alignment splints?

The previous ranges reflect three major parameters:

Factor	Impact on Price
Number of Semesters	Social Security (and therefore orthodontists) operates on six-month periods. An ‘express’ case will cost two semesters; a complex case, four to six semesters.
Laboratory Cost	Leaders (Invisalign®, Spark®) charge for their planning algorithms and industrial printers; an ‘in-house’ practice that prints its own aligners almost halves this expense.
Quality / Frequency of Follow-up	Low-cost systems rely on a mobile application and one to two physical checks; classic orthodontic follow-up includes a visit every 6–8 weeks, X-rays, multiple refinements, etc.

In summary: the more time the practitioner spends in the chair and the more premium the laboratory, the higher the quote — but the clinical risk decreases.

Aligner Coverage: Child vs. Adult

Is the splint reimbursed?

Yes, but only for orthodontics for those under 16; adults do not benefit from any mandatory reimbursement.

• Children / adolescents (< 16 years): 193.50 € per semester (6 semesters max) + 2 years retention (161.25 € then 64.50 €).
  
• Adults: 0 € Social Security, except for severe surgical cases. High-end private health insurance can offer 300–600 €/semester; standard contracts are often limited to 150–200 €/year.
  

Section 3 – Post-Orthodontic Retention Splint

What is the price of orthodontic retention splints?

For retention, a custom-made splint costs 150 € to 400 € per arch and must be replaced approximately every 18 to 24 months.

Why this replacement frequency for orthodontic splints?

• Mechanical wear: the plastic thins, cracks, or deforms.
  
• Hygiene: over time, micro-porosities → plaque, stains, odors.
  
• Loss / breakage: a forgotten item in a hotel or cleaning with water that is too hot, and you have to reorder.
  

Financial Assessment of 10-Year Retention Splint Use

Scenario	Number of Replacements	Cumulative Total
Disciplined Patient	4	600 – 1,200 €
Negligent Patient	6 to 8	> 1,600 €

Clinical Risks in Case of Non-Compliance

• Orthodontic relapse: 70% of adults stop wearing their night splint after 3 years.
  
• Gingival inflammation: plaque trapped under a poorly maintained splint.
  

In summary, removable retention works… provided it is worn every night and changed regularly, for life; otherwise, the initial orthodontic investment is lost.

Is the splint reimbursed?

Beyond the first two years for those < 16 years old, no reimbursement is provided; private health insurance only intervenes if an adult orthodontics package explicitly mentions it.

Section 4 – Understanding Coverage and the Role of Private Health Insurance

Before signing a quote, it is essential to know who pays for what: does Social Security reimburse all or part? Does your private health insurance cover the remaining costs? The table below condenses the three most common situations; the amounts shown are what you will see on your Ameli statement, then on your private health insurance statement.

Type of Act	Social Security Code (NGAP)	Social Security Base	Social Security Share	What Private Health Insurance Can Supplement*
Custom-made Splint (bruxism)	LBFA021	172.80 €	70% → 121 €	Patient co-payment (30%) + optional ‘occlusal appliance’ package
Orthodontic Treatment < 16 years (1 semester)	HBJD001	193.50 €	100 %	Excess fees (free fees) — +200% BRSS on good contracts
Retention Appliance 1st year (< 16 years)	HBJD013	€161.25	100 %	Possible excess fees
Fixed Retention Wire (PEEK or metal)	HBMD036¹	70.00 €	100 %	Excess fees — often 100% to 200% BRSS if adult orthodontics option
Adult Orthodontics ≥ 16 years	—	€0	€0	Annual or semi-annual package (300 – 600 €) on premium plans

*Private health insurance calculates either as a percentage of the BRSS (100%, 200%, 300%) or as a package.
¹The PEEK wire uses the same code as a metal wire: the Social Security base is low (70 €), but the rest is freely set by the practitioner.

Key Takeaways

• If you are under 16, Social Security covers the basic orthodontics; private health insurance helps to cover the excess.
  
• For an adult PEEK wire, Social Security adds nothing (minimum coverage); your health insurance makes all the difference. Hence the importance of checking beforehand the ‘adult orthodontics’ level of your contract.
  
• A 300% private health insurance quickly transforms a remaining cost of 350 €… into less than 100 €.
  

Section 5 – The PEEK Retention Wire: The Sustainable Economy Solution

Why invest only once for your dental retention?

When you finish orthodontic treatment, two paths are available: changing your retention splint every two years or bonding a custom-made fixed wire. PEEK, a high-performance medical polymer, ticks all the boxes: it is invisible, biocompatible, does not create artifacts in MRIs, and above all, it stays in place day and night without you having to think about it.

In other words, the PEEK wire acts as an ‘autopilot’: you enjoy the result without a wearing routine to follow or plastic to change. For many busy adults — or simply distracted ones — it’s a permanent relief.

In summary;

• Invisibility (white shade).
  
• Immediate comfort (smooth surface, softened edges).
  
• Simplified hygiene (usual brushing + interdental brushes).
  
• Neutral material: no nickel, no corrosion, MRI-friendly.
  
• Longevity: 0% breakage rate (eZtain data).
  

The real 10-year savings of a PEEK retention wire

Let’s take a concrete example.

• Splint scenario: average price 200 € per unit, replacement every two years, so five appliances over ten years bringing the total expense to 1,000 €. Add to that two impression and check-up appointments at 50 € each: +100 €. Total balance, 1,100 €.
  
• PEEK wire scenario: initial placement 300 €, when it is not directly included in your treatment. Finally, an annual check-up visit already included in the classic dental consultation. Balance: 300 €.
  

Clearly, the PEEK wire saves you 800 € — not counting the nights you might have forgotten your splint, and the (costly) risk of relapse that entails.

Viewed differently: the PEEK wire pays for itself by the third year. Everything after that is pure financial gain… and peace of mind.

Section 6 – Personalized Advice Before Choosing Your Device

The 5 Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Retainer

Question	Why is this Crucial?	Action Point
Is my objective protection, correction, or stability?	Each use requires a specific device; confusing the three unnecessarily inflates the cost.	Clarify your needs with the practitioner before any impression.
Am I disciplined enough to wear a retainer every night?	Repeated non-compliance leads to 7 out of 10 treatments failing.	If the answer is “no,” directly consider the fixed PEEK wire.
What budget am I willing to commit over 10 years?	Today’s “low-cost” option often becomes expensive tomorrow (replacements, refinements).	Always compare the cumulative cost (see table in section 4).
What does my health insurance really cover?	Between €0 and €600 per semester, depending on the contract.	Have your NGAP-coded quote validated by the insurer before signing.
Do I have any medical conditions? (nickel, MRI, periodontitis)	Certain materials or devices are contraindicated.	PEEK is biocompatible, metal-free, and MRI-friendly.

Three Warning Signs That Should Make You Re-read a Quote

Even a correctly coded quote can hide blind spots. Remain attentive to these situations, regardless of your retainer needs.

1. Minimal or Non-existent Follow-up
   If the offer promises a “100% remote treatment” or limits physical appointments to two quick visits, be wary: dental movements and retention require regular clinical check-ups. Without visits, the onset of relapse or gingival inflammation goes unnoticed… until the day everything has to be redone (and repaid).
   
2. Promise of a “Lifetime Device”
   No plastic indefinitely resists thermal stress, chewing, and aging. Hearing that a retention retainer survives ten years without touch-ups is unrealistic. A serious professional always specifies the average lifespan and provides a replacement plan.
   
3. Discounted Price Without Laboratory Transparency
   A price 30% below market is rarely a miracle: it’s often a low-cost material or an offshore laboratory with fewer quality controls. If the line “laboratory fees” is absent or merged into the professional fees, ask for it separately. You may sometimes discover that the apparent saving hides an additional cost for paid refinements later.
   

Smart Move: before signing, have the quote reviewed by your health insurance AND a second practitioner. Two opinions are better than one to protect your health… and your wallet.

Conclusion – Stabilizing Your Smile Means Investing Smartly

Ultimately, the right decision is not to pay the least on day one, but to choose the solution that will maintain your smile without surprise expenses:

• Standard Retainer: economical to purchase, but expensive and fragile over the decade.
  
• Clear Aligners: high precision, but requiring rigorous retention to secure.
  
• PEEK Retention Wire: single placement, 24/7 comfort, average saving of > €800 over ten years.
  

By prioritizing a fixed, biocompatible, and durable device, you simultaneously protect your teeth, your time, and your budget.

Take Action,

Your smile is an asset; make it the safest investment possible.

About the Author:

Dr. Nicolas Philippides is an orthodontist, a graduate of the University of Strasbourg, holding a CES in dentofacial orthopedics. With several years of clinical practice, he has guided hundreds of patients through their orthodontic treatment, with a constant commitment to long-term stability and comfort. Faced with the limitations of conventional retainers, he decided in 2022 to found eZtain Lab: a project born from a simple yet recurring clinical observation — too many relapses due to ill-fitting or overly fragile wires. In collaboration with INSA, he developed a new generation of PEEK retainer wires, custom-made, comfortable, and durable. Today, his research and experience fuel a single ambition: to offer reliable devices, designed to last, and adapted to the demands of modern orthodontics.

Article published on December 15, 2025 – last updated on December 15, 2025.