Essix Retainer/Open Bite/Missing Teeth?

[Sayrah]

So I've had braces for a little over 7 years now, and I'm finally getting them off June 20th. However, I'm nervous for the fact that my orthodontist is putting an Essix retainer on both my top and bottom teeth when I've had an open bite all my life and I'm completely missing one of my upper lateral incisors and the other upper lateral incisor is a peg tooth.

Due to all of this, I just keep thinking that when my braces come off, the Essix is going to keep my teeth from touching, therefore causing my open bite to reappear and my upper teeth will shift because of them missing.

But my orthodontist want to use Essix because since I've had braces for so long, my gums have become really irritated no matter how much I stimulate them with my toothbrush or floss them. I've talked to him about doing something different, but he seems very set on what he wants to do.

I'm just curious about what others opinions are about this situation. Is an Essix an okay choice for someone who had teeth as bad as mine and still have to have work done on them after the fact? Would I be okay to go with what he wants and then if I'm not happy afterward, schedule another appointment?

[Sunny]

Hi and welcome!

Congrats on your big day on 20 June!

Please trust your ortho with regard to what's needed to retain your teeth correctly. Good luck with your commitment to a life time of retainer wear and here's to you loving your smile and bite for the rest of your life!