Retainers and Speech Problems: Essix vs Hawley
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Retainers and Speech Problems: Essix vs Hawley
Hi, I am getting my braces off in a week's time and I have been reading about people's experiences with retainers on the forum. I am due to have the clear, essix type of retainer and I was wondering if they are better, worse, or the same as the hawley type when it comes to speech problems? I am a bit nervous about the retainer affecting my speech so any replies would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Ceramic and metal since 4th Jan '05
Naked Teeth and wearing Essix retainers as of 19th June '06
Naked Teeth and wearing Essix retainers as of 19th June '06
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- Posts: 208
- Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:37 am
- Location: Indiana
I'm gagging!
I just got my retainters two days ago, and the lower Hawley is fine - I can see it straightened a tooth that already went crooked again in the 12 days since I debanded. But the upper Hawley is killing me - I had to remove it for work, as I could not speak and I was gaging! I almost thrown up a few times since it is gagging me so badly. I think it's starting to get a bit better tonight, but I still can't speak clearly enough to work my job. I just have to hope things improve as I get used to it.
Debanded in May, 2006! Total sentence: Three years and two months. Now in hawleys which make me gag! Before braces, I had dracula fangs in their own rows, and everything else was crooked, crowded, with a cross-bite, too!
I only have my braces off the top arch so far, and have an Essix retainer as well as a bonded retainer behind my front two teeth.
I have got a very slight lisp when I speak and it hasn't really improved in the week i've been wearing it - but it is very slight. That said, I believe that Essix retainers are a lot easier to speak with than Hawleys.
I have got a very slight lisp when I speak and it hasn't really improved in the week i've been wearing it - but it is very slight. That said, I believe that Essix retainers are a lot easier to speak with than Hawleys.
Ceramic top braces 14 Dec 2004, Ceramic top braces OFF 2 Jun 2006
Metal bottom braces 26 Apr 2005
Metal bottom braces 26 Apr 2005