Metal Mouth Message Board

I posted this in the 'naked tooth' forum, but didn't receive an answer so I'll post it here as I feel like more people will read it.

So, long story short I'm having my braces removed "early" (only by about a month, if that) due to psychological reasons. Has anyone had any experience with this. I understand that retainers should be worn 24/7, but will teeth still shift around even with a permanent retainer + and essix? does the arch stay the same? I'm having my top arch sort of pulled across 2mm to the right as my midline is off in terms of the middle on my nose (my bottom teeth a perfectly in line)

What different retainers can hold depends on what you have done.

For instance, if you had an expander or surgery, just an Essix would never cut it, as it won't support the bone changes. And a permanent won't hold the molars. Hawleys hold teeth in place, but don't do so well to keep them from rotating. Hawleys last longer than Essix, but aren't real attractive.

Speaking for myself, I prefer my Hawley over my Essix on the upper. The Essix is more attractive, but after wearing my Hawley most of the time, it HURTS to put in the Essix, because it is real picky about tooth rotation. (I'm now on night-only, so my Essix is now relegated to "Emergency Retainer" duty.)

As you can see, there are pluses and minuses to each retainer type.

I've had a herbst appliance. However, will my midline shift if I'm straight out of elastics and into a permanent retainer?