New Type of Clear Retainer

[Sunflower]

I just got a new set of retainer two weeks ago and I love them. When I first got my braces off I was given two sets of retainers. A clear type for daytime wear and the traditional wire type for nights. The clear are good but the edges are sharp. The wire type are ok but they are bulky. These new retainers are a combination of the two together. My ortho called them a Hybrid Retainers. He said they are the newest retainers out. I think they are great.......

[mariahfromchicago]

Cool! I like that you get the best of both worlds, the aesthetics of an essix and the colours of the hawley!

[Zoso]

To me, this retainer looks bulkier than either a Hawley or a slipcover retainer; granted the acrylic portion is a little smaller than on a regular Hawley, but there is still extra bulk on the palate, at the same time as having the inherent bulk of the slipcover retainer. Now personally a slipcover retainer did not bother me in terms of the bulk in the mouth, but I know that this is not true of everyone.

I'd also think that this retainer would not permit the ortho as much flexibility (compared to either a Hawley, or a traditional slipcover retainer) to make adjustments, should any end up being required; I can't imagine either that it would allow settling in the same way that a normal Hawley retainer does (so might be a poor choice if molar bands have been used?) Certainly I cannot see it as being a good choice where an open bite has been treated.

Where I do think it might be desirable is if the orthodontist is looking for the aesthetic of the slipcover (to facilitate patient compliance with full-time wear) but is lalso ooking for something a bit more robust than a traditional slipcover retainer in terms of maintaining arch width following expansion. This is just speculation on my part though.

[Sunflower]

As a reply to Zoso... These retainers are super thin, this is why they are so comfortable. I was told I could have them in any single color or a two tone tie-dye. Either way with or with out glitter. They seam to be made well. I guess they are very similar to invisible retainers but they do not bend. They have to be more durable.

[Zoso]

Yup, so are - or can be - traditional slipcover retainers (the plastics can actually be supplied in more than one different thickness).

As you say, they seem to have more rigidity than a regular slipcover retainer might have (I've not seen them, so I can only speculate) and that's why I was guessing in my earlier post that they might represent a good compromise when the ortho is looking for aesthetics but with some additional rigidity.

Edited to Add: thanks for sharing this too. I'd not run across a hybrid retainer like this before, so it's very interesting!

[rianna]

This looks like a retainer I would like. Clear, yet invisible and personalized. I will ask my ortho about it at my next appt (in 2 days). I think I have one/two more months left, I am so excited. I'll let you know what my ortho says....

[rianna]

OK I finally have a chance to respond.
I did see my ortho and asked him about those new retainers.
He said they are so new he is not sure what his opinion is just yet. He plans to start using them (at least begin to try them) soon. He told me on our next visit we can discuss them again. He too is going to find out some additional information.
Does anyone currently wear one? If so, I would really love to hear your comments.
I'll check back again soon.
Rianna

[mariahfromchicago]

Does the clear part discolour?

[Zoso]

I should have thought the "rules" for these retainers would be the same as for any slipcover retainer, or for Invisalign - no eating with them in, and no drinking anything except water (and no hot water) with them in - under those rules, I'd think the only staining issue would be smoking. Of course, if someone were to drink coloured liquids with them in, I'd assume they could potentially stain.

[mariahfromchicago]

I could imagine that they would stain by not cleaning them properly?

[Sunflower]

I have now been waring this new Clear Fusion Hybrid retainer for about a month. I always remove the retainers when I am eating. They look as good as the first day I got them. There has been no discoloring. The clear part is just like a invisible retainer. I guess it is a little bulkier than an invisible but that is the sacrifice of having a finished reinforced clear retainer. It is far better than a traditional wire retainer, when it comes to comfort. This appliance is very cool and I like it alot. Everyone that I have shown really likes the Clear Fusion retainer. The colors combined with the clear really make it look good.

[Zoso]

It is far better than a traditional wire retainer, when it comes to comfort.

Just to ask the obvious: do you have personal experience of a Hawley type retainer on which to base that comparison? Personally I found clear retainers far too bulky, and that was without the additional bulk of the acrylic reinforcement on this thing. It seems to me that in terms of comfort, which retainer is preferable is something that differs from one person to another. (Of course, I still maintain that this hybrid style might be clinically inappropriate for some cases - the slipcover often tends to contribute to relapse in openbite cases)

[Sunflower]

My first post on this thread states:

I just got a new set of retainer two weeks ago and I love them. When I first got my braces off I was given two sets of retainers. A clear type for daytime wear and the traditional wire type for nights. The clear are good but the edges are sharp. The wire type are ok but they are bulky. These new retainers are a combination of the two together. My ortho called them a Hybrid Retainers. He said they are the newest retainers out. I think they are great.

This is my opinion. I really like these new Clear Fusion Hybrid Retainer the best over the clear or traditional. And like my first post states I have had all three. I don't know if it is clinically inappropriate for some cases, but I can say I like them them the best by Far!

[Zoso]

So that would be a yes

It's a pity nobody advised you on how to deal with the sharp edges on your first set of slipcovers - you can gently smooth off those rough edges with the fine-grit side of an emory board (the disposable type of nail file) - your life would have been more comfy.

That said though, you're probably better off with the hybrid than a standard slipcover anyway - it's going to be superior at maintaining arch width.

Let us know how it goes - personally, I am especially interested in how well that union between the acrylic portion and the slipcover holds up over time, since it is a union between two different materials. Hopefully though it will hold up as long as a regular slipcover. I'd also be interested, if you have any insight into it, in the relative costs.

I still don't think this is the best choice for everyone, but it's obviously the better one for you.

[Sunflower]

This Clear Fusion Retainer is hands down the best retainer that I have had. As I had said I did have a set of slipcovers and also a standard wire set. I never had anyone tell me about filing the edges of the slipcover. I think that would have been a great idea because they really were sharp. The Clear Fusion retainer is a highly finished slipcover retainer that is rigid, thin and comfortable, but most of all it is invisible. The edges are not sharp. The bond of the clear and color material seems to strong. I do not see this thing coming undone. I don't think these appliances cost any more than the others did.

[BrittCip]

I recently received a Clear Fusion Hybrid Retainer from my orthodontist and I love it. I orginally had a traditional retainer but I didn't like it and never really wore it. However, the Hybrid Retainer is very comfortable and I don't mind wearing it at all. The portion of the retainer that covers your teeth is clear like an invisaline retainer so you cannot at all see it when you smile, which is great! But the portion of the retainer that holds on to your teeth and the roof of your mouth is a hard plastic like a traditional retainer so it is very durable and stays in place. It's the best of both retainers in one. But my favorite thing about the Clear Fusion Retainer is that the portion of the retainer that is a harder plastic is avaible in a wide variety of colors. You can even add glitter to the color you choose or tye-dye two colors together. Mine is hot pink and aqua tye-dye and it looks awsome! I would deffinately recommend the Hybrid Retainer to anyone; not only does it work great at keeping my teeth in place, but it is also a comfortable, stylish retainer.

[cmysmile14]

I have been wearing my new retainer for 2 months, a clear fusion hybrid.
In comparison to my old traditional hawley retainers, (2 to be exact), there is no comparison!!! My new hybrid feels good, no discomfort, and I do not mind wearing it. others can't tell I am wearing one. I love my smile.

[Zoso]

I'm starting to find it slightly suspicious that so many people who had never been to this site before are coming along and signing up just for the purpose of extolling the virtues of this hybrid retainer ...