Metal Mouth Message Board

I had the essix type retainers fitted yeterday. They are very thin and made of a quite soft and slightly flexible material. As I suffer from Bruxism I think i will wear them down quite quickly. I asked my ortho if i could have a hard accryllic of hawley type retainer as i think they would last a lot longer. I was told that you cannot have a hard type plastic fitted over a permanent wire retainer as it will knock the wire off when you take it in or out. In essence I do not want to have to pay for replacement essix retainers every few months. It would seem my only option is to have the permanent wire retainer removed and wear a Hawley type retainer all the time. Any advice??

I'm getting my braces off in one week and asked my ortho if I could have a Hawley and Essix due to my grinding as when I had Essix retainers 10 years ago, I wore through them quickly.

Instead of the Hawley, he's going to make a mouthguard for me to wear at night. It's fit just a tightly as the Essix (from the same mold) and will be made of thicker and more durable plastic.