Are retainer check ups usually free of charge?

[GeorgiaParis]

I got my braces off last week and I got one of those Essix retainers, the ortho said I needed to return in around 3 months time for a 'retainer check up'. I had private treatment (paid for by myself). Anyway it didn't occur to me to ask at the time wether or not my braces fee covered the retainer checkup too lol. Also I wondered if it was free, how many free check ups do you get usually before they boot you out the door? Now I feel too rude to phone up and ask. So I figured someone here might know. Also I am wondering if my retainer should ever break, is it more cost effective to recieve a new retainer from my original ortho as opposed to finding a new one (I moved house and my ortho is a whole 1hr away now). I was thinking perhaps it would cost more to visit a new ortho as he might charge for a consultation fee or something, whereas my current one said "just come and get a new one, but you'll have to pay for it to be made". Thanks all.

[juppiejux]

I guess this may depend and vary from ortho to ortho. There's a statement in my contract saying that I have two free post treatment followups. I would definitely call and check with my ortho if it's not stated in my contract. Hope this helps!

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

You can have a friend of yours call and ask