I just got my braces OFF today but..

[bottlecap1990]

I have to wear this hawley retainers for 24/7 for 6 months...

I feel like Im in braces again....

[klobird]

Man I hear you!! I am wearing an Essix retainer (supposed to be 24/7 for 6 months but the ortho gave me a pass because I'm a good patient!! ) So, it's 12on/ 12off and basically if they feel too tight I need to watch it. What I really don't like is how dry they make my mouth feel. It's icky!

[Tobilei]

I have to wear retainers for 18 months after my braces (longer than my bracket sentence!). Not sure how much of that is 24/7 but I'm not looking forward to it. I HATE having things in my mouth

[jem]

Congratulations on getting your braces off bottlecap!

I sympathise re the retainer, but I guess it is all part of the process of having straight teeth long term.

I should be getting my brace off next month and my ortho says I have enough clearance for a bonded upper retainer. But I will have a removable too as back up. This should only be for night time, but I don't know if there will be any requirement for 24/7 wear at first. I might do it anyway for the first few weeks.

Jem

[kennyandrew85]

Sorry to hear that, it must be hard but it will all be worth it.

I have to wear essix retainers for one full day and then just every night FOREVER

[JumpTheDitch]

I had both Essix & Hawleys after braces the first time around; Essix for the day & Hawleys for night. I HATED the Essix ones, they were so 'spitty' & gross, & it made me feel claustrophobic to have my teeth completely encased in plastic. My ortho had to cut off the molar section of the lower after a month or so as he said it was starting to open my bite too much. I quickly changed to wearing Hawleys 24/7 instead of daytime Essix, so much more comfortable. I did end up getting a second set of Hawleys made with different 'SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM clasps (at ortho's expense), I cant remember why exactly but it was to correct some problem caused by the first lot of retainers. My current NM dentist is very big on proper tongue posture, nose-breathing as opposed to the dreaded mouth-breathing, & endorses the Buteko method. She tells me correct tongue posture in combination with nose-breathing forms a natural retainer with the tongue and lips. Im not sure Id trust that entirely, & perhaps she doesnt 100% either, as I'll be getting a bonded lower permanent this time. I'll be requesting Hawleys again as well, even if it costs extra, I am not prepared to go through this a third time!

[Kipepeo]

You guys are scaring me about the tray type retainers. I'm supposed to get Vivera. Maybe it doesn't really matter what kind of retention systems you use...they all suck.

[djspeece]

Man I thought I got to the retainer stage is was all downhill from there. Maybe not.

[midnight]

I've just had mine off too and got essix retainers. They are worse than the fixed braces as I can't even drink tea/coffee wearing these! Meant to be wearing them 24/7 at the moment apart from eating and the amount of tea I normally drink would mean they would be permanently off so I've had to cut back. Water only for now! Only another week to go though them I can switch to night time only.

[Leebie3]

Pics of brace off smile!!!

[Jborders12]

While I understand the new retainer situation may be tough, just think of how far you've come!

I get mine off in 2 weeks, and I cannot wait, regardless of the retainer situation to follow.

[bottlecap1990]

Whenever I think about NOT wearing a retainer I just look at this picture of myself before braces




after braces



So yeah I'll keep the retainers ON. haha

[Leebie3]

AWESOME CHANGES!!!!!

[djspeece]

Well done and congratulations!

[Kipepeo]

Very nice result! Keep that before picture handy so you will always have inspiration to be a faithful retainer wearer!