Types of retainers

[eleven]

I found out yesterday that I should be getting my braces off in July (YAY!! ) I've had them on 11 months so far to correct an overbite and minor crowding.

I've been thinking about the different types of retainers. I absolutely do not want a Hawley retainer. I just do not want it. I really don't want any more metal or wires in my mouth. Period.

How well does an Essix retainer work?? Is it uncomfortable?? When I was looking up different types of retainers I stumbled across this. What do you think of it?? I don't think my ortho offers it though.

TIA!

[coconut]

I didn't want a wire either, but ended up with bonded retainers on both arches (front 6) and an essix type to hold the rest in place, now worn a couple of nights a week only.

The cons are that calculus does build up around the wires and has to be removed by my dentist 6 monthly; the pros are that the wires have held my teeth where they're supposed to be.

As for the essix, it was easy to get used to and I have no complaints about it. I don't know anything about the new retainer in your link, other than it looks much bulkier than the essix I wear.

Certainly raise your concerns with your ortho, but I would keep an open mind about what may be best for retaining your teeth in the long term.

[eleven]

I didn't want a wire either, but ended up with bonded retainers on both arches (front 6) and an essix type to hold the rest in place, now worn a couple of nights a week only.

The cons are that calculus does build up around the wires and has to be removed by my dentist 6 monthly; the pros are that the wires have held my teeth where they're supposed to be.

As for the essix, it was easy to get used to and I have no complaints about it. I don't know anything about the new retainer in your link, other than it looks much bulkier than the essix I wear.

Certainly raise your concerns with your ortho, but I would keep an open mind about what may be best for retaining your teeth in the long term.

From what I've read, it's not often that you can get a bonded retainer on both arches, right?? It's mainly just the lower arch?

I don't know. I'm just not sure. I really don't want more metal in my mouth, but I want the best type of retention. I don't want to have to get braces again.

I'm going to bring up my questions at my next ortho appointment.

[coconut]

I couldn't tell you whether it's more common to bond one or both arches, sorry - that's for an ortho to say.

Yes, definitely raise this with your ortho and go with what's best for your case.

[SouthernGirl]

I've been out of braces for over a year. I have a plastic retainer that is like Invisalign (think its Essix but I'm not sure), and a permanent retainer on the bottom.

I've worn my retainers faithfully at night (yes at night from the start), and my teeth haven't moved at all really. It is uncomfortable at first but its something to get used to.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Check out this other thread in this same forum. It might help .

Pros and Cons of various types of retainers including Vivera

[josie]

My ortho wants me to have bonded retainers top and bottom arches and also an Essix, when my braces come off. Will have to wear the Essix 24/7 at first, then down to nightly and hopefully down to 2/3 nights a week for life.

I wish there was a way to avoid the bonded retainers because I do have a tendency for calculus (is that the hard white stuff?) to build up on my bottom teeth too, and that will be worse with a bonded retainer, but I don't want to jeopardise my results either.

Last week, I have a bracket pop off my front top, central, incisor, and in just a week, when I went back to my ortho for him to put the bracket back on, that tooth was sore and had moved substantially. If they can move that fast, I think I might need to go with whatever holds them best in place.