Essix retainer question..please help?!

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#1 Post by **Happymouth** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 7:27 pm

I have an essix retainer for my top and bottom teeth. I wore it as directed - a month full time at first, and now just at night for about a another month so far. I have been great with doing what I'm supposed to do and have never missed a night or anything.

One bottom tooth seems to have moved a tiny bit (crazy!)...like it is slightly out of line and closer to my lip the the other guys. The only person that can tell is me, but I'm worried it is going to move more...

Can an essix retainer if worn 24/7 again for some time move it back into place? It needs such little help! That's it! So, could my retainer fix this?

And if not, is it normal to get an essix retainer replaced somewhere down the line? Or do you usually keep the old one if it still fits? Because then maybe I could ask for a Hawley? I have to go back in December.

Thanks!!

#2 Post by **stRaighteR** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:03 pm

does ur retainer still feel tight when you put it in at night? if it does, I guess the 24/7 may work to push the tooth back in place...otherwise, you can just ask your ortho about it =)

#3 Post by **Happymouth** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:56 pm

Yes, it's still tight when I put it on at night. But after only about a minute, I can't even feel it. I hope it's not going to warp the original mold because that one tooth has slightly moved...teeth are bones afterall! I don't know how much a piece of plastic can stop a teeth from moving. Although, an essix retainer would not exist if it didn't do its job... I guess it's when the retainer isn't in that your teeth can move again.

I just started wearing the bottom one full time again. I guess I'll see what happens in a week or two.

#4 Post by **stRaighteR** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 4:37 pm

i had an essix designed to move a tooth back into place...it usually helps when you wear it 24/7 for about a month. So try that, and if the tooth is problem, go back to you ortho and see if he can make a new retainer or put a slight bump in the old one...if u see the tooth getting worse, go back to him sooner =)

#5 Post by **Happymouth** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:47 pm

Oh good, I'm glad to hear that. Thanks a lot!! =)