Retainer question

Message

#1 Post by **KJM** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:25 am

At this last appointment my ortho told me that I have less than 6 months to go ( yay!) I asked her what type of retainer I would be getting and she said Essix ( the clear type)
I am not sure how I feel about that. I know my hubby had both ( first time around he had Hawley and second time he got an essix) He liked the Essix but only had to wear it at night. My son also had an essix but only had to wear it 24/7 for 2 weeks and then only at night.
I am sure that I am going to have to wear them for several months or longer than that 24/7 and I "really" dont care for the looks of the essix (to wear during the day in public)
I was thinking of talking to my ortho and asking about getting both- Hawley for daytime and essix for night, or maybe bonded retainers? What do you guys think?

#2 Post by **jcdamon3** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:44 am

I would definitely ask. I have an essix retainer and it is comfortable and I am getting pretty good at talking with it. It is great for at night because I have grinding trouble and it protects my teeth. If it weren't for that I would want the hawley. I wouldn't mind having a hawley for daytime and essix for night but there was one person on the board that said he had both and his teeth never settled because the two were not exactly alike. This is something to consider.

I am hoping that I onlyhave to wear mine during the day for six months. As it is, I am taking it out in the morning and putting it back in after lunch because I drink tea all morning. So I am really only having to wear it for 1/2 day.

I bet I could drink tea with it in but the ortho said it would stain. Not sure how hot liquids do with it either.

I did a red wine test with it the other day to see if the wine got in and it didn't

That was a fun test.

#3 Post by **Chris** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:47 am

I wonder what it costs to replace those Essix retainers.
Do the orthos cover replacements?
If your teeth move, don't they have to be replaced since they can't be tweaked like the hawleys?

#4 Post by **jcdamon3** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 8:53 am

I don't think I am going to wear mine out. I am clenching more than grinding , but nevertheless if it does come to that I will have another plan.

Regarding the cost. My ortho makes them in his office. He told me $40.00 for a new one.

#5 Post by **iBorg** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 9:22 am

I'm a grinder. During my consult my ortho said I would have a Hawley as she felt I'd gring through the other in less than two months. I'll proabaly have two sets. One for daytime and the other for night time. The night time will be built up like a bite plate. Of course in the next two years, all things are subject to chenge.

Mike