Got Retainer and a little confused

[*~cloe~*]

Hey,

Well I'm new on this forum and was doing research for a lot of reasons because I just got my retainer and the thing is, all of my other friends have these clear retainers I believe are called Essix retainers except one friend. And from my orthodontist I received a Hawley retainer (those metals ones). What I don't understand is why i recieved that one instead of the kind I see so many people use. Because I would feel so much more comfortable wearing the Essix (clear) retainers. I personally dont like metal in miy mouth showing at all. I'd only accept it if it had more benefits of helping out the teeth quicker or someting. But I already got these and am not sure whether we'd have to pay for the clear ones when I already have these hawleys. We made a huge upfront payment and im not sure if switching would be extra. I've even hear of the hyrbids and they sound amazing. Not sure though. =/ And I thought this would actually be the last time I'd have metal in my mouth but apparently not. We didn't know what retainers looked like until they gave it to us and before we were told they won't be visble because its only from the inside of your mouth. And I've even heard that some orthodontists give their patients both to choose from. And I'm just confused on which is better, why I got the one I got, and etc. And I would think that most people would say that you were givn that one because your ortho thinks its best for you..but i honestly dont think thats the case. And I have so many things I'd also like to ask..but that would make this thread to long..so if you can help please do! I'd just like to know better about what I'm dealing with in my mouth :P. Thank you

[Zoso]

It may be that your orthodontist feels that your case is poorly suited to an Essix retainer (there are cases where it is a poor choice) or it may be that your orthodontist is one of those who believes that they are a poorer choice than Hawleys for most cases.

I don't know how long your orthodontist wants you to wear your retainers full time, but good retention is just as important as any other part of your treatment, and you should trust him that he is providing what he feels is best for your case.

However, if you really cannot bring yourself to wear these during the day time, perhaps you can discuss with him whether he would provide you with Essix retainers for day time wear, but stick with the Hawleys at night. You are right though that it would be typical for you to be charged extra for this second set of retainers.

[*~cloe~*]

Yes, I see what you mean. Would you happen to know in what types of cases which retainer would be given? And he told me to wear them full time as most patients do and later on it will be less often worn, maybe at night only. I also read on other posts about the new hybrid retainers. Do you think they would probably be avoided in my case because they're similar to essix retainers? Thanks!

[Zoso]

The negatives I've read about Essix (and other similar retainers) is that they can sometimes contribute towards a tendency towards a treated openbite relapsing, and also that they are poor compared to the Hawley at maintaining any expansion of the arches. Beyond that though, I know that some orthodontists generally feel that they are well-suited to few cases.

I'd assume that the hybrid might be expected to overcome the issue with maintaining expansion, though as it seems to be pretty new on the market, I don't know how much data there would be to validate that idea. But they'd be equally poor with respect to open bites.

It's also worth noting that the Hawley is better in terms of allowing the bite to settle after debanding - this can often lead to a slight improvement to the bite over the first few months after the braces come off. (It did for me.) And the Hawley also affords the orthodontist far more opportunity to tweak things on purpose, should this become necessary - the Essix is very limited in this regard, as would be the hybrid.

How long are you going to be in retainers full time? (I know some docs still adhere to a full year) Is it really such a bit deal?

[*~cloe~*]

It actually did move my front teeth with the retainers too, though I hope it gets even better. For some reason, while with braces, I noticed that all my teeth were being shifted the wrong way. Like instead of all of them being aligned to be centered, he seemed to be aligning them all to the side but the bite is still perfect, which I find very odd. And it is quite noticeable that its not centered-by like a millimeter-which bothers me. So I do hope these retainers still improve my teeth alignment like you said it improved yours.

And about how long, they actually didnt tell me. They didn't even mention me just being on a year like I also hear from orthodontists' patients from friends and etc. I actually have a check up in two months for they said that usually the wires get loose and they need tightening. I can ask then. I hope its not a big-if you meant that instead of "bit"-deal, because if I really have to wear retainers for more than a year full time I really don't see what all the excitement was in taking off braces. These retainers feel just like them to me (with all the metal and stiffness and a little pain and strain on the teeth). Are retainers usually worn full time past a year? =/

[Sunny]

Cloe ortho's differ in their instructions for full time and part time wear, so it's necessary for you to follow your ortho's instructions. The generally accepted time frame is ... one year full time, and then three nights a week for life, but we have patients who've been told night time for life ... with no full time wear; full time wear for three months, then night time for life; full time wear for three months, then two or three nights a week for life ... and so on. Mostly it depends on how much the teeth have had to move and how that movement was achieved. Our ortho's use fixed retainers for patients who've had a lot of movement (including closing of gaps), as long as they have excellent oral hygiene. This often means no full time wear, but nightly wear for a year, then two or three nights for life.

Talk to your ortho when you see him at your two month check and find out what the future holds.

Good luck with your teeth and bite being great for life!

[Zoso]

What improved for me was how well the back teeth were biting together.

Unfortunately, it is sometimes not possible to centre the midlines perfectly. But Nobody is going to notice a mm or so! (Have you checked out Tom Cruise's midline?)

I'll be surprised if you're stuck with full time more than a year (a lot of orthos let their patients move to nights only sooner than that). Anything could happen, of course - all depends how things are going. But I'd not expect it, at least based on all I've ever heard. Heck, I had some hiccups during the earlier stages in retention, and I still moved to nights only at my one-year follow-up Also, that tight feeling you have now should hopefully settle down over time. At this point, I notice my retainer feels very snug when I put it in each night, but by morning I'd hardly know it's there.

[Zoso]

The generally accepted time frame is ... one year full time, and then three nights a week for life

And you can provide us with statistics from a reputable source to back that up? I should think it is more common to move from 24/7 to every night, and only later to progress to a few nights/week.

[*~cloe~*]

okay..maybe my midline isnt THAT bad :P But I'll find out from my dentist and thank you so much for your help to both . I appreciate it. If you would like to know two months from now I'd be glad to post again. Otherwise I don't see it as as much of a big deal. So thanks again .

[Sunny]

It would be great to hear how you get on after you see your ortho for your checkup.

Please don't worry about your midline ... they're something that most people wouldn't even no where to look for on the body ... unless they've had ortho treatment and been concerned about them. We rarely smile in such a way that our midlines can be easily seen by those around us, so it's much more important that the bite is functioning correctly.

Good luck getting your retainer wear sorted!

[aba424]

Different orthodontists use different retainers. Over time, they just get in a habit of using one over another. If you see a certain type of retainer out there that you prefer, ask your orthodontist. Use this link to educate yourself. There are some cases where one retainer is preferred over another. However, if you bug your orthodontist about getting a certain type of retainer, he may consider it. Hope this helps.

[mariahfromchicago]

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