If you have finished with your orthodontic treatment and are wearing retainers (or will be soon), this is a special place to connect with others in your (enviable) situation. Ask a question or make a comment about life post-braces.
I'll be debanded in 2 weeks (:D) and I just have a couple of questions about retainers....
(Background) A lady that got her braces off a little while back sees my orthodontist and got a clear top retainer and a normal (?) wire retainer for the bottom. I'm hoping that is what they give all patients that are debanded - I'm wondering what they are called? (the clear ones). There are no wires and it just looks like a mouth guard. What are the Hawleys that everyone posts about? Do they look different?
Does everyone wear there retainer 24/7 for the same amount of time? Does it depend on your teeth? Or is it a "every orthondontist is different" case. This lady told me she was only told to wear her retainers by our orthodontist for 6 weeks (24/7) and then only at night.
Can anyone help me out?
~serendipity
"Welcome to wherever you are - this is your life, you've made it this far..."
In Braces for 15 months - Debanded Feb 07
Am I Enjoying It? "Hell Yes!"
hi
the clear one to my knowledge is called an Essix. the hawleys are acrylic the goes on the palate of your mouth and has a wire running across the front teeth. this makes it more noticeable. your ortho will tell you how long to wear your retainer for. hope this helps!
hi
the clear one to my knowledge is called an Essix. the hawleys are acrylic the goes on the palate of your mouth and has a wire running across the front teeth. this makes it more noticeable. your ortho will tell you how long to wear your retainer for. hope this helps!
flipib05 is right, the clear one is called an essix and the one with the hard plastic and wire is a hawley. From what I've read on the site, each person's situation is unique and wearing time seems to vary quite a bit from person to person. I've read about all sorts of combinations of hawley, essix, and bonded with pros and cons for each. Some people find certain types uncomfortable while others swear by them so it really does seem to be an individual thing. Sounds like orthos have preferences for which ones they think retain the teeth better. Definitely talk to your ortho when you're ready to get your molds taken and discuss why he/she is prescribing whatever combination they think is best for your situation.
I have a Hawley upper and an essex on the lower. I will have a permenant bonded retainer put on next week.
I love the essex!!! I just snap it in and nobody knows it's there. It is so comfortable that I have even found myself biting into a sandwich at lunch and I realize that I've still got it in!
I don't mind the Hawley at all. The only thing I don't like is that the wire covers my teeth and shows when I smile and talk. It is doing a great job of holding my teeth in position and I will wear it full time for a year then I will wear it nights only for life.
Congrats, Serendipity, on getting your debanding date! Don't forget to post your story and pictures!!
I'm wondering what they are called? (the clear ones). There are no wires and it just looks like a mouth guard. What are the Hawleys that everyone posts about? Do they look different?
