Retainers/when to wear

[mommamorin]

Hi everyone!!

Yesterday I picked up my retainers and unfortunately for me the girls were not sure on how long during the day I needed to wear them. One girl said 3 months full time then after that just at night but she "really couldnt remember". The other said just at night. ?? anyone here know?
i have had 20U/15L and been wearing the last lower tray 14 weeks and the upper for 5 weeks.
Thanks!
Mommam

[havingitdoneintheuk]

I've heard different stories from different people. Speak to your ortho!

[Sunny]

Please contact your ortho and ask ... as you need clear direction on this one.

Mostly we tell our clients to wear their retainers for a period of full time wear ... this can be from three months to a year ... sometimes less, but rarely more. Then every night for a period of time ... mostly six months ... sometimes longer, sometimes less. Then two or three nights a week for life! Some clients say they plan to wear their retainers every night, which is fine. The important part is to get the teeth stable, then not to over wear their retainers, but also not to stop wearing them.

Find out from your ortho the facts about your time frames for retainer wear, as it would be horrible to stuff your treatment now!

[Weeeyin]

Can anyone advise how the "essex??? " (overheard the the ortho say this type so i'm guessing thats what it's called) looks like a sort of thick invisalign type tray retainer should look and fit? I dont seem to be having much luck with "own practice" made ones and now 3rd time lucky my moulds are off to the lab to be made professionally. The retainer would have been fine if it was a whitening tray but the minute i went to talk it came loose and i was lisping like mad - i dont do this with my final inisalign trays, they fit snug and perfect. For something I'm supposed to wear 12 hours a day+ I really need to be able to talk with it in as clearly as I do now. I dont know anyone else that's had braces to compare what my retainer should be like. I can handle it being a bit thicker and even less "clear" than invisalign but not loose and no where near my gums - the two sets I've tried so far strayed off my teeth into the roof of my mouth (eurgh felt weird) and the bottom one went over my front gums too - felt reeeeally weird. Thanks

[mommamorin]

Hi Weeeyin
Have Invisalign make the vivera retainers off your last set of aligner trays. Yes, they do cost additional but as you have discovered they fit you perfect and you are not having luck with the other trays.
good luck to you, I hope all works out well for you

[Sunny]

With our patients who are given the essix retainers, we expect them to experience a snug and comfortable retainer that keeps the teeth in the same position as they were in when their active orthodontic treatment was finished.

The retainer has to be comfortable if the patient is expected to wear it as requested.

Good luck!

[Weeeyin]

Thanks girls, I knew the retainer should be comfy and not annoying, lets hope the one from the lab is ok. Getting invisalign to make a retainer unfortunately isnt an option as it took from August 2008 till January 2009 to get my first tray through and I'm not spending anymore money on this either, I could of had a car for what it all cost. I'm looking after the final trays really well if I have to use these until the surgery get the retainer right it'll be fine....i'll not give up Will keep you posted.

[myhollywoodsmile]

I'm not even sure that Vivera are available everywhere. I live in Australia and you can't get them here. Let us know how you go though as I think I need something similar to you...one day! Seems far away right at this moment, though.