Metal Mouth Message Board

Has anyone used an invisible retainer before, or know how good they are? That is what my orthodontist uses after braces are off. Just curious. Kelly

My ortho uses the invisiable retainer too. I've known people that have had them and I never heard them complain about them.

My orthodontist said that I will wear my top and bottom retainer for 1 year after my braces come off all the time, and then for the rest of my life I will wear my retainers at night. I will also have a permenent retainer put behind my front two teeth. That part is kinda scary, I am sure it will be fine though. Kelly

Thanks Katie!! I'll have to look up some previous discussions and see for sure, I guess if my orthodontist says it's the best kind he must have his reasons.

I like my Essix retainer. The only thing that I don't like is knowing that one day it's gonna be cloudy from any brushing on it. They get little scratches from brushing it, but sometimes just a RetainerBrite is not enough. Other than that, no one can tell when I wear it and at night it keeps me from clenching (although that is not the norm).

I have an Essix (clear) and a Hawley (plastic plate with wire) and I alternate them at night. I prefer the Essix but I grind my teeth a little so I've chewed a couple of holes in it. That's why I got the Hawley, actually - it was supposed to replace the Essix and combat the grinding problem, but I like the Essix a lot more so I alternate them to make the Essix last longer. It does need replacing now though... sigh... they're not cheap.

I had the clear retainer and my teeth relapsed enough for me to get braces again.

S_Ranger how long did you wear you braces. I can't imagine being done then relapsing. Thanks, Kelly

Ranger- Did you wear the retainer as prescribed? I can't imagine how your teeth would move with an Essix retainer. I'm only required to wear mine for 12 hours a day, and they seem to be doing their job pretty well. Of course, I've only had my braces off for a week... I just don't want to have to go through this all over again someday!

swellen wrote:I have an Essix (clear) and a Hawley (plastic plate with wire) and I alternate them at night. I prefer the Essix but I grind my teeth a little so I've chewed a couple of holes in it. That's why I got the Hawley, actually - it was supposed to replace the Essix and combat the grinding problem, but I like the Essix a lot more so I alternate them to make the Essix last longer. It does need replacing now though... sigh... they're not cheap.

I'm a grinder too and that worries me because I am slated for an Essix too. I'm pretty sure though that when I went in for my consultation that the lady told me that if I wore my retainers faithfully for the rest of my life at night ( after the initial every day period is over ) that they would replace them if I ever needed it. I think that included grinding through them and other things?

If you don't mind, how much do they cost to replace?

mtbrncofn wrote:If you don't mind, how much do they cost to replace?

Well, I haven't replaced it yet but I believe it's around the $300-$400 mark.

Mine only cost $125 to replace. He said they would last about 2 years.

Wow, that seems spendy for a bit of plastic. I hope I'm right about my ortho's practice concerning them. I think I'll mention the whole grinding thing next time I'm in just to check and see what he thinks. I'm nowhere near that point, but I'd like to know.

Thanks for the prices, guys.

mtbrncofn wrote:Wow, that seems spendy for a bit of plastic.

Well... it's a bit of plastic that's holding your $5,000 investment in place!