I have two bonded retainers (upper and lower) and have to wear an upper Hawley 24/7 for 6 months, and both an upper and a lower at night.

I have to say...that maybe it's because I'm THRILLED that the braces are finally gone, that these retainers don't bother me in the slightest. Obviously I'd rather NOT wear the Hawley (to show off my new pretty teeth better), but mine is comfortable and I haven't had the first issue with it.

The bonded retainers were somewhat annoying for about 2 days and then I got used to those too.

Just thought I'd offer a post on retainers (permanent and removable) that isn't so gloomy. I'm sorry people have had bad experiences with theirs, but for anyone reading The Naked Tooth..there IS a chance that you'll be just fine...HAPPY even, to be in retainers.

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I have the same setup - upper and lower bonded, and I'll be picking up my upper and lower hawleys on Wednesday. He seemed to suggest that I won't have to wear my hawleys during the day, or at least to work or court. I got the bonded ones yesterday, and I'm still getting used to them. My tongue keeps unconsciously playing with them, and it's already sore. My wife had these as a kid, and she swears up and down that I'll get used to them after about a week. When I asked if/when I will get the bonded ones out, he said he isn't inclined to take them out and would rather leave them in as long as possible. Being an adult relapse case, he said that relapse will be a concern for a lot longer than if I were a teenager getting them off.