Hawley or Essix retainer? I can't decide...

[gary]

I have to let my ortho know in a few days when he makes and sends out the impression. I already got the bottom teeth set with a bonded retainer, so this is only for the top (which he won't use a bonded for). He told me that he is more inclined to use the traditional hawley simply due to the fact that it won't break as often and will therefore be cheaper for me and less annoying for both of us. Do the essix retainers really break/warp that much? Are they indeed as good at retaining than the hawleys? I am personally more inclined to go for the essix because it is less noticeable. Any of you have insight into this decision? Thanks...

[ashesgap]

My mothers Hawley lasted for years and years. Since this is something that after a while you'll be wearing nights only, but forever, you want the one that lasts the longest. I've read a lot of people on here complaining about cracks and warping with their essix...from that alone i've decided to go with Hawleys.

[gary]

Yeah I kinda figured that would be the initial response. Thanks.


*waits for someone to say something on the contrary*

[badbite]

I have a hawley on my bottom and both for top. I like the hawley lots better then the essix. THe ortho said I could wear the essix during the day and Hawley at night, but I usually only wear the hawley because I like it so much better. It is a bit more of a challenge to talk with the hawley, but that is the only negative, and you get used to it.

[gary]

I have a hawley on my bottom and both for top. I like the hawley lots better then the essix. THe ortho said I could wear the essix during the day and Hawley at night, but I usually only wear the hawley because I like it so much better. It is a bit more of a challenge to talk with the hawley, but that is the only negative, and you get used to it.

Are there any positives to the hawley, aside from it being more resilient?

[opera^gal]

hawley can be tweeked, if needed..essix cannot

[gary]

hawley can be tweeked, if needed..essix cannot

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that.


Btw: NYC representin'

[gary]

Shameless bump for anymore opinions...

[SlimZippy]

Just got my Hawley retainers and they seem fine. I only wear them at night though, so don’t know how they would compare to the Essix for all day wear. Overnight they seem comfortable enough but it’s difficult to speak with them on.

[badbite]

Essix retainers can scratch or become cloudy, need to be replaced more often because they crack (and just don't last as long as a hawley), they cover your whole tooth, and make your teeth have a fake shine to them.

I like the feel of my hawley much better, especially if I am not in a position to be able to brush before I have to put it back in. The thought of eating or drinking something and having to put that plastic covering all of my teeth really grosses me out.

Besides the speech (which is better for me now) I can't think of anything I like better about the essix.

[gary]

Thanks for the responses.

How long, and please be absolutely truthful, does it really take for one to be accustomed to the hawley and able to speak normal again? 2 days? A week? 3 weeks? I understand that everyone is different, but I imagine there is probably a general time frame, no?

[bbsadmin]

It took me about a month of constant wear to become accustomed to my Hawley. I've had it more than 5 years and it's still good as new. Of course I'm very careful with it.

One advantage of a Hawley that nobody else mentioned yet: your top and bottom teeth meet in a natural way, allowing them to "settle" well after the braces come off. The Essix covers the biting surface, not truly allowing your teeth to touch in a natural way. That's why some doc's don't like to give them to patients.

I've also heard that the Essix retainers tend to crack after a few years. I think in general they're not as durable.

For the first few months you'll wear your retainer 24/7. After that, only at night when you sleep.

[badbite]

I have been in mine for two months. I have a splint in my bottom retainer which has made a a bit more difficult to learn to speak, but I don't even think about it anymore. Retainers are so much better than braces! I totally agree about the biting surface. My bite feels much more natural in my hawley. I really don't even wear the essix now.

[gary]

Interesting about the bite issue. I hadn't considered that. Thanks for dropping that info on me.

But a month to get used to speaking normal?! Dang! FWIW, I already have a bonded retainer on my bottom, and that's all I use. Will only having a hawley on top make it A LITTLE easier with whole speech thing? Or is the top one the actual problem when it comes to that (this is what I suspect)?

[bbsadmin]

As I remember, it was mainly getting used to something up against my palate that caused me to lisp. But after about a month I got used to it.