I have bonded retainers on my upper and lower teeth. I don't like the upper retainer at all. I can feel it against my tongue all the time.
Even after 3 years it still bothers me. I'm thinking about getting it removed and getting a removable Essix retainer for my upper teeth instead.

Is a removable (Essix) retainer as good as a bonded one? I mean the bonded retainer works 24/7 while the removable only works 8 hours each night.

I would suggest that you talk to your ortho about your concerns, but after 3 years, you may be a candidate for part-time retainer wear. An essix retainer a few nights a week may be all that's required to keep your teeth properly aligned...but only your ortho can make that determination.

I have permanent retainers top and bottom as well as Essix/Hawley at night. Frankly, they all basically suck, but a relapse would be far worse. Best of luck to you and let us know how things work out.

[quote="Jethro"]I would suggest that you talk to your ortho about your concerns, but after 3 years, you may be a candidate for part-time retainer wear. An essix retainer a few nights a week may be all that's required to keep your teeth properly aligned...but only your ortho can make that determination.

I have permanent retainers top and bottom as well as Essix/Hawley at night. Frankly, they all basically suck, but a relapse would be far worse. Best of luck to you and let us know how things work out.[/quote]
I talked with my orthodontist about this. He said that both are good. I asked him how this could be possible when bonded are in 24/7 and removable only 8 hours a night. He said that the bonded would have the same effect if you only would wear them 8 hours a day but because they are glued you have them in all day. So I think I will remove my bonded and go for removable at night. When I sleep I don't mind it at all.

<< Frankly, they all basically suck, but a relapse would be far worse. Best of luck to you and let us know how things work out.>>

Agree, agree, agree! I really hated dealing with retainers and as I've stated elsewhere on the archwired boards, thought a permanent was a great idea. That was of course before my own partial relapse even with the supposedly permanent bonded retainer that came partially un-bonded in spots and I didn't realize. If I'd worn essix at night in combination with permanent (it was never offered), I probably would not be in the spot I'm in now... partial relapse.

So ultimately in answer to the question, I really think removable is better even though I say again retainers just SUCK overall, as does relapse. If you only have permanent, watch everything very closely to ensure all is still well over time.

I only half jokingly said over the last decade-ish of wearing retainers I'd rather deal with the braces than retainers, and now I have that opportunity. I'm weird, but I'd rather just keep the braces than stupid retainers!

Smile gang!

d

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So for all of you wearing bonded retainers, can you bite into apples and carrots and corn on the cob etc.
Thanks

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[quote="Bracer215"]So for all of you wearing bonded retainers, can you bite into apples and carrots and corn on the cob etc.
Thanks[/quote]

I can bite in whatever I want. My bonded never broke. But that's not why I hate them. I don't like the feeling of something glued to my teeth that I can't get off.

But it varies per person. Some people have a different bite and the bonded won't last long with them. Your ortho can tell you if your teeth are right for bonded retainers.

All three of the orthos I saw suggested a bonded retainer from my front teeth, PLUS a Hawley or Essix for nightly wear. I'm a relapse case, so clearly my teeth want to move, so I need extra reinforcements. More rather than less retention is probably the best way to ward off relapse, but it also needs to be something you can live with.

Steve83-
I don't know how you managed 3 years with the bonded retainer! You deserve a HUGE pat on the back!

I have had a bonded wire on my 4 lower front teeth since Jan 11 this year. That's a little over a month. I HATE it. So much so, the ortho will remove it and I will use a Hawley retainer at night. I am currently wearing a Hawley retainer for my upper teeth every night.

I have to wait a month for this wire to come off and it will be the longest month of this whole process!

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Bottom braces: 9-1-10
Top Braces: 12-1-10, enamel
Debrace date:Top 12-12-11
Bottom: 1-5-2012

[quote="sea54change"]Steve83-
I don't know how you managed 3 years with the bonded retainer! You deserve a HUGE pat on the back!

I have had a bonded wire on my 4 lower front teeth since Jan 11 this year. That's a little over a month. I HATE it. So much so, the ortho will remove it and I will use a Hawley retainer at night. I am currently wearing a Hawley retainer for my upper teeth every night.

I have to wait a month for this wire to come off and it will be the longest month of this whole process![/quote]

what about your upper teeth? you don't have a bonden for those? what do you hate about the bonded retainer?