Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello,

I am having my braces removed in April 2016, and was wondering whether I should request to have a permanent top retainer? I am 32 years old and some people have been telling me that I should get it done because they didn't wear their retainer for the last ten years and their teeth shifted, which led them to have urgent ortho care and ultimately getting permanent retainers. I know myself and will probably have a hard time keeping it on almost all the time in the first year, so I was wondering what other people think about this? Furthermore, is it possible to have a permanent top retainer AND a removable one? Or will orthodontists usually just create one or the other? My appointment with my ortho is not for another month, so just thought I'd get some opinions here.

Any input would be helpful!

Thanks!

I have both permanent and removable on bottom. I do know depending on each case some people cant have a top retainer due to thier bottom teeth hitting it when they bite.

oldfart wrote: I do know depending on each case some people cant have a top retainer due to thier bottom teeth hitting it when they bite.

Very good point, didn't know that!

hellocanada wrote: some people have been telling me that I should get it done because they didn't wear their retainer for the last ten years and their teeth shifted, which led them to have urgent ortho care and ultimately getting permanent retainers. I know myself and will probably have a hard time keeping it on almost all the time in the first year, !

I discussed my retention options with my ortho in the beginning and he suggested bonded permanent retainers for both upper and lower teeth with the addition of the removable essix retainers for night time. This is my second round of braces, first time being a teenager and I stopped wearing my retainer in my 20's. By my 30's my teeth were a wreck again. I don't want my teeth to shift again so I'm glad to be getting the bonded retainers.

Whether you can have a top fixed retainer depends on your bite as your ortho wouldn't want your bottom teeth to touch the wire as it wouldn't last too long. If you are still at the refinements stage it's a good time to ask about this as they may be able to tip your teeth slightly to create a little space or further reduce any overbite. I'm getting fixed retainers top and bottom and my ortho had to play around a little to enable me to get the top one. I'm also getting two types of removable retainer (Essix and Hawley) as I don't want all this hard work undone in the next few years. Have a good chat with your ortho, talk through the different options and don't be afraid to ask for what you want.

I have permanent retainers on the upper and lower, also wear clear removable retainers on the upper and lower at night only now.

If the ortho places them in the right spot they shouldn't touch and should be fine. There's really no reason to not get upper fixed retainers, flossing takes maybe a couple minutes longer but having the fixed retainers just gives you a bit more stability and assurance that when you're removable retainers are off your teeth won't move. I'm happy with mine now.

You can check my link for photos if you care to see. (page 19)

According to my ortho's office, he does a permanent bottom and a removable top retainer. I'm seriously considering requesting the permanent top and an essix retainer for extra use. I'm only a week in, mind you, but I'm weirdly obsessive about planning for the future. lol Good luck with whichever you get!

Hawley top, Essix Bottom with permanent bottom also. I like the Essix on bottom as I still have a posterior open bite after treatment (we were only able to close it about 75% of the way) and the Essix provides some extra protection on my lower front Anteriors as its all that hits. Even though it will wear out sooner than normal.

The only issue that I have really ever heard with the permanent retainer is being able to floss between the wire and the teeth. If your a sloppy or lazy flosser that could cause issues.