Different types of bonded retainers?

[Zach2k]

So I got my bonded retainers fitted today after invisalign. Was kind of expecting a simple wire bonded to the back of upper and lower teeth. Instead it turned out to be a series of attachments on the back of each tooth, and then the wire goes through those attachments something like this (except it looks a lot neater and compact in this picture):

This is NOT what I was expecting. It feels like I got a mouth full of metal. Constantly salivating, I dont have a bite at the molars section, my tongues feeling rough and definitely not the 'liberated' feeling I was looking forward to post-Invisalign.

Are most of the bonded retainers talked about like the one described above?

Is there a different (simpler) type of bonded retainer that I can possibly get?

[Sunny]

Sounds like you've got the best kind Zach ... as it's attched to each teeth. Some lingual retainers are only bonded to the first and final tooth, which menas if the bonding comes off, all the teeth are free to move.

Hopefully your tongue and body will adjust quickly. Once you've adjusted, you'll forget it's there, except when you floss. If the bonding remains annoying for more than a couple of weeks, give your ortho a call and ask to have it smoothed. Wax will also help on any areas that are hurting your tongue.

Good luck with retaining your smile for the rest of your life!

[Zach2k]

Thanks for your reply, really hope it does improve. The only minute relief at the moment is that I dont have to take anything in or out of my mouth, but still feels as if my mouth is constantly full of 'stuff'.

I've also developed a lisp since having these retainers fitted, is this normal? Will it go away?

[Sunny]

Practise singing and talking outloud. You should adjust quickly! Good luck!

[mikeg]

I'm actually getting bonded retainers most likely and not too excited about that... I hate flossing with braces and once they come off I still hve to work my way around those bonded retainers.. I'd rather have hawley retainers, but i'm going with whatever my ortho says, as I trust him!

[lasvegasann]

I like your bonded retainer!!! You won't have to worry about those teeth moving!!!

[Sunny]

Remember you still need removable retainers ... like essix or hawley. The bonded retainers will keep those front upper and/or lower teeth looking fantastic, but you need to keep all your teeth in place and that's where the removable retainers (for life) do there job.

[IHIC]

While reading through this thread, before seeing Sunnys post, I was about to say surely you'd need something to retain the teeth further back... then Sunny confirmed!

So, if an ortho says that he is going to fit bonded retainers at the end of treatment, he should also be supplying you with a hawley/essix retainer too? Just wanted to make sure, as this will be going on my list of questions.

[Sunny]

Most definitely. The bonded retainers do an outstanding job at keeping those front teeth retained all day. The bonding can come off if knocked by hard food ... similar to having brackets. It's not alway easy to see that this has happened, but it means that the teeth that are no longer bonded are no longer being held in place by the retainer. By wearing your night time removable retainer, you keep all your teeth retained.

Bonded retainers are great at retaining gaps, rotations and teeth that were very out of alignment.

[lasvegasann]

I wish I had gotten a bonded retainer the first time around.....definitely getting one this time around!!!