Metal Mouth Message Board

mtbrncofn wrote:Wow, that seems spendy for a bit of plastic.

Well... it's a bit of plastic that's holding your $5,000 investment in place!

True. Mine were only $4,000 though. I do think this is something I will ask my ortho about. This whole grinding thing has got me worried.

i haven't seen anyone with a retainer that wasn't clear since high school (8 years ago...) I take that back--I've seen one. But, I didn't know they made retainers that weren't clear anymore.

wore my clear retainer faithfully every day, all night for 1 1/2 years. Some time down the road I noticed my gaps coming back and my teeth looking relapsed. I have braces again, I had them before for 4 months. ANd i'm gonna get the metal one this time.

S_Ranger wrote:wore my clear retainer faithfully every day, all night for 1 1/2 years. Some time down the road I noticed my gaps coming back and my teeth looking relapsed. I have braces again, I had them before for 4 months. ANd i'm gonna get the metal one this time.

Good Lord, that scares the crap out of me when I hear people say that. For all you people that were faithful with the retainers and had relapses, did you have to pay for your braces all over again?

Also, for Ranger: do you have any permanent retainer bars put in?

I've understand that those normal retainers allow user to eat with them on, can this clear retainer do the same? Or do i have to take them out whenever i eat, or are they meant to be put on only @ nite and during the day normal retainer had to be used?

Phantom,
The clear retainer can be used during the day. That's one of the main benefits to it is that its clear. And I don't think you're supposed to eat with any retainer except permanent bonded ones. Especialy don't drink anything hot with a retainer in because the heat can warp it.

Cool... thanks for the info...
I'm actually intending to get the invisible retainers. I think they can last a lifetime, ya?

Phantom wrote:I'm actually intending to get the invisible retainers. I think they can last a lifetime, ya?

If you don't grind your teeth in your sleep and don't absent-mindedly chew on it during the day while you're thinking or as you speak, then yes. If you do any of those things you're likely to wear it down eventually. If you grind your teeth at night you'll probably chew a hole in it within a year or 18 months.

mtbrncofn wrote:

S_Ranger wrote:wore my clear retainer faithfully every day, all night for 1 1/2 years. Some time down the road I noticed my gaps coming back and my teeth looking relapsed. I have braces again, I had them before for 4 months. ANd i'm gonna get the metal one this time.

Good Lord, that scares the crap out of me when I hear people say that. For all you people that were faithful with the retainers and had relapses, did you have to pay for your braces all over again?

Also, for Ranger: do you have any permanent retainer bars put in?

It scares me too.

I'm wondering if s_ranger's widsom teeth came down after her/his initial treatment, and that partially caused the relapse?

Okay now I am nervous about the clear retainers because I am supposed to get them on the top and the metal ones on the bottom. I think I do grind my teeth but my ortho said the retainer was supposed to help with that, he said nothing about chewing a hole in it......"sigh" Well I guess I have quite a few questions for the ortho when I see him next week.