Adjustment period to retainers

[Denise]

How long did it take you all to get used to wearing your retainers? My lower retainer, which is removable, took a few days to get used to and I can tolerate wearing it all day now, but the top one is horrid. I can't get over the disgusting feeling of plastic being all over the inside of my mouth, and it still triggers my gag reflex. I can't talk with it in, so I have to take it out most of the day at work because people couldn't understand me when I talk which is also bad because I'm supposed to be wearing them 24/7. Any tips or words of encouragement?

[coconut]

Hi Denise, congrats on your debanding!

I didn't have problems adjusting. Not sure what's going on for you, but may be worth checking the comfort issue with your ortho. Could be something that a minor adjustment of the retainer might fix.

[Sunny]

What type of retainers do you have Denise? We changed to providing our patients with the essix type clear retainers and these have definitely improved compliance. There are still a few issues similar to our invisalign patients report, but for the patients with a gag reflex, they report no affect at all. Most of our patients are also getting upper and lower bonded retainers and are usually moved to 'night time only' wear within a few months, which definitely helps.

I'm sure you will adjust, but if your upper retainer keeps affecting your speech, maybe a call to your ortho to discuss this would be a good idea.

Good luck with keeping that outstanding smile looking fantastic!

[Denise]

It's a Hawley. I asked them if it was normal for it to trigger my gag reflex this badly and they just said 'some people take longer to adjust'. But I've had it for several days now and I've been wearing it 24/7 through the weekend and now and it's absolutely horrid. I still can't really talk with it in. The good news is that I wear it at work only until the day gets really busy and then I take it out. So far it hasn't been even slightly tight when putting it back on, so perhaps just having it out those 5 hours a day at work won't affect me too much. I wear it all the time at home and at night and all morning. It's just very frustrating, but still amazing to be able to take it out when eating!!

[justjenn]

Denise,

I'm glad I found this since I'll be in your boat soon. I have a bad gag reflex as well and I have no clue what kind of removeable retainer I'll be put on. I will get bonded top and bottom though so maybe I'll get a small removeable?

[Sunny]

I've had my removable retainers for five days. They're the essix clear type and fit easily over my bonded retainers. I don't really like them yet, well the top one is fine, but the lower one hurt the bottom of my tongue, before I realised it needed some smoothing. They don't have anything to affect the gap reflex, as only the tiniest amount goes towards the roof of the mouth.

I can't wait for three months when these will be for nights only! The bonded retainers have been no problem ... so easy to wear and so quickly forgotten about!

Good luck Jenn!