Essix Retainer Vs. Hawley

[RicanMedic78]

I am currently wearing essix retainers for an overbite that was corrected using traditional braces. My problem is that I feel that my essix retainer is giving me an endless cycle of bite problems. Since the relationship of my top and bottom teeth is the issue that caused my overbite in the first place, it seems like the essix only serves to maintain those problems and prevent my teeth from settling in.

As I bite now, it appears I have an occlusive bite (rear). So basically my bottom front teeth touch my top front teeth (in the rear), before the back lock down. In fact, the back doesnt lock at all unless I bite with force. Then that only serves to push my front teeth forward again and again. When I eat, wash, and put the essix back in, I feel the front teeth already shifted just with the act of biting down while I was eating.

What can I do about this problem??? Should I request to have the hawlers retainer made instead??? I think I need to learn how to bite down properly and the Essix is preventing my teeth from making contact and never allowing me to learn how to bite properly. It seems like the essix only serves to maintain the alinement that was made with the traditional braces.

I feel like my bite itself does need some "maybe natural" adjustment and the Essix only serves to make the flaw in my bite perminant. I also heard from a friend that went to the same dentist that my dentist uses Essix retainers for non insurance patients and hawleys for insured patients as much as possible. Could cost be an issue here??? I've had braces for 4 years and now my teeth crash and want to revert back so badly that my right front tooth is in a constant state of loosing up over and over again. if this is a cost issue, I'm gonna be very very upset!

[MsMichelle]

Hmm sounds to me like you need to get in contact with your ortho and let them know about your questions. Sorry to hear that you are not happy and I hope that everything works for you in the end.

[Sunny]

Definitely get in touch with your ortho and see if this is an issue due to your retainer or whether something else is happening. The essix retainers are by far the most popular type, due to the great job they do and also due to them not being noticable. They can affect patients who've had an open bite, but usually this is identified before or during treatment.

Good luck getting this sorted!

[Phantom Muse]

Just to add a bit - my daughter started her life with retainers with an essix retainer and then switched to Hawleys after a few months. She has a gentle bite, and although it did not open (fortunately), her ortho was not pleased and wanted the teeth to be in contact to avoid an opening of her bite.

The best strategy is to talk with your ortho and find out specifically what can be done to address your issues.

Good luck!

[RicanMedic78]

when you say "open bite," is this what I have??? Basically, my teeth are perfectly straight, however, my bottoms hit the top before my molars touch down. When I clinch, then my molars clinch down and push my front teeth forward. Is this what is considered an open bite? or a rear open bite?

[Phantom Muse]

Gosh, I can't help you with that specifically. In my daughter's case, the ortho was concerned that the teeth might not meet on the sides, toward the front teeth. I suspect there are different kinds of open bites, but hopefully someone with more knowledge can help you here!

[Sunny]

That doesn't sound like an open bite, in fact it sounds like the way most bites operate ... except for the 'pushing the front teeth forward' part.

Please talk to your ortho.