difference in clear invisilign like retainer and hawley (sp)

Message

#1 Post by **vanity68** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:54 pm

My ortho told me to wear the clear retainer all day for 3 months and then the regular one w/ the wire at night after that..my friend told me the clear retainers are not as good and teeth can still shift..is that true? I am wearing the wired one all day cause i'm so afraid of them moving back...any advice would be appreciated..I just got my braces off last thursday..

#2 Post by **stRaighteR** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:05 pm

i have gone through about 6 retainers, i had a wire retainer and my teeth still shifted...then my ortho gave me a clear retainer b/c i clench my teeth and it kept my teeth in place.

#3 Post by **vanity68** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:07 pm

thanks..I grind too..so i'm worried about not having a guard...even w/ the essix i am clenching alot...i dunno what to do now

#4 Post by **Xero** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:14 pm

My sis who worked at a lot of ortho places told me the Hawley ones are better. She originally had the clear ones, but switched. The clear ones are not as strong as the regular ones, keep your teech from touching each other, and cannot be adjusted if your teeth move. At least with regular ones, your ortho can adjust your retainer if your teeth shift to get your teeth back to its position.

#5 Post by **vanity68** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 8:57 am

Xero..thanks, i didnt know they can adjust it if the teeth move again...thats great....i will stick with the wire one then

#6 Post by **Xero** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:39 pm

No problem! I think the only downside to the hawleys is that there's a wire visible on your teeth. In my opinion, I prefer that to a cloudy plastic retainer that doesn't completely cover your smile. The essix retainer has a bit of space at the top which looks pretty weird if you smile..