hi,
just to let you know whats happening re my broken Essix. I was telephopning round a lot of orthos in Glasgow on monday and very few said they'd be able to fit me in for an appointment and suggested I called the the local Dental Hospital.
One Ortho said they could fit me in and it would cost £60 for a consultation and £45 for a replacement retainer (£105 = $210USD)!!! My own ortho back in Belfast said i should expect to pay in the region of £35 - £50 for one coz thats what they would charge.
The hospital were able to fit me in this morning. they took a mould of my bite and said the new retainer would be ready on friday afternoon. Its being done on the NHS so total cost to me = £0 (which is roughly zero US Dollars).
In the meantime i have been wearing my repaired retainer at nights. Seems to be doing the trick and it fits fine. The ortho said I had done a good job in repairing it but he didnt expect it to last for long. It will do as a 'spare'.
I'll definately have to take care of my new Essix better. Th reasons that I think caused it to break so soon after getting it are...
1. Eating with it in - NEVER ever eat. I had eaten some soft things that I didnt think would matter. It does matter!
2. Fizzy drinks and hot drinks will damage it
3. Brushing with a toothbrush will scratch it and weaken it. Use retainer brite only
4. Wash only only in Cold water. I knew this, but accidently washed in hot water (well, luke warm) which was th straw that broke the retainer's back.
IB