RETAINERS

Message

#1 Post by **sniffer** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:46 am

Does anyone know if you can wear fixed and hawley retainers at the same time? I had permanent retainrrs fitted on Tuesday and I am getting the clear essix type retainers next week, but I grind my teeth at night and have read the essix retainers are not really suitable if you have bruxism

Thanks

#2 Post by **sillyface** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:58 am

If you are concerned about teeth grinding, you can ask your dentist or orthodontist to make a nightguard for you. It will be the same style as your essix but a much thicker plastic. This is what I'm having done.

My ortho said he thinks it will be more consistent with my treatment to stick with an essix style rather than switching back and forth. I do believe I've read about some people having both and doing just fine, however.

#3 Post by **drrick** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:32 am

You can have a fixed ret and a hawley at the same time.

#4 Post by **sniffer** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:47 am

Thanks for your help

#5 Post by **VA5** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:53 pm

What I'm wondering is why you would need both ?? Is it for better retention of your teeth? Why isn't just one of them good enough? in what cases would one need two kinds of retainers?

#6 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 11:40 pm

From what I have been told, fixed retainers are only placed on the front teeth. If this is the case, how are you going to keep the rest of you teeth where they need to be? A removable retainer.

#7 Post by **VA5** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 5:10 am

Snowglobe32 wrote:From what I have been told, fixed retainers are only placed on the front teeth. If this is the case, how are you going to keep the rest of you teeth where they need to be? A removable retainer.

I see... but how come it sounds like some people only use a fixed retainer and not both? It sounds like everybody ought to be using both.

#8 Post by **alimommy1** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 1:15 pm

I am guessing that different orthos feel differently about it. For instance, my original ortho wouldn't do a bonded upper, just a bonded lower, and he said I didn't need a removable lower. My current ortho doesn't seem to have any issue with giving me a bonded lower (again) and a removable. I didn't ask about a bonded upper but I think it would be a great idea. I read something here about flossable bondeds, if there is such a thing it would be worth asking about.

I am also guessing that bondeds may only prevent relapse as far as misalignment, I don't think they actually prevent bite relapse, so you can still have straight teeth but a bad bite.