I hate my Hawley retainer! Help!

Message

#1 Post by **QKate** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:22 pm

Hi,
I put this issue on the retainer board but it doesn't get much action so I will try it here.

I hate my Hawley retainer- been in it for 5 weeks. It has been much worse of an experience than the braces!

IT tastes like plastic all the time.
I am considering getting a bonded upper wire to replace it.
But I hear mixed reports- MY ortho thinks it is better to keep what I have.

And that bonded uppers will break. but if I insist he is willing to do it.

I need to ask my periodontist what he thinks.
But I absolutely Hate the taste of plastic all the time!
Any siggestions opinions?

#2 Post by **sdawdy** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:45 pm

Sorry, I cant help as I am still in braces...but the first thing that came to mind is seeing if they have a cleaning solution that is flavored to maybe get a different taste in your mouth? Dont know....I know maybe not a real solution...but just a thought

SD

#3 Post by **rolo** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:52 am

Could you ask about a bonded retainer as well as an essix type retainer - you can have both at once.

#4 Post by **kirjax** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:33 am

I am having issues with mine too but not that it taste like plastic just that the part that has the hooks that go over your molars is actually discoloring my molar where it touches!!! And when I snap the bottom one in it is really uncomfortable on my gum area under my tongue. I go back in a few weeks so I can hang on til then but the coloring of the molar is driving me crazy....hmm maybe I will make a thread about it to see if anyone's experienced the same thing.

#5 Post by **QKate** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:24 pm

The other HUGE problem with it is, since I have much bone loss- really a lot, I am in a fragile position.

So as the bone is regrowing as it does in the settling process, with this retainer I have, the teeth move just a little from being put on and off, as well as they are in a slight different pressure when on or off.

If I had had the wire bonded straight from the braces coming off, the teeth would be in one place.

I am totally scaring myself here!
I am just bummed cause I was actually going to get the bonded on last week but I had all this stuff to figure out so I passed up the chance.
Now I am trying to get in with my ortho for this week but they are out of the office today-
But anyway, for me, I am jsut mad that I didn't stand up for myself and get the bonded retainer straight away. Instead, I listened to the ortho who told me this was the better choice. But it isn't.
I either taste this horrible plastic taste all day, or if I take it out I worry that the bone is settling wrong.
And just going from on to off many times a day
( eating and cleaning and all) I feel is moving it!