Losing will power to keep essix on - it hurts!!!

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#1 Post by **oceanblue** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:31 pm

Okay, so I got my braces off yesterday and was given an essix retainer to wear on top 24/7 for the next two weeks. This sucker hurts!!! I feel like when I go to take it out (to eat) that I'm going to pull my teeth out with it! It is so tight that it takes me a good 3 minutes of sheer tugging and pain to get it out of my mouth. Makes me not want to put it back in . . .

Did anyone else have this much trouble with getting the essix retainer out of their mouth and general pressure / soreness???

I really thought the retainer part would be a piece of cake compared to braces.

#2 Post by **idolfan4** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:27 pm

I got my braces off 5 months ago and I have the same type of retainer as you do-both top and bottom along with an upper 2x2 permanent retainer. When I first got my essix retainer, it felt so tight and it irritated my teeth so badly that I had to take it out several times a day. The pain and the complications of taking your retainer out will go by soon, because once you've been doing it for a while, you get use to the routine.

#3 Post by **Granola** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:27 pm

My Essix didn't hurt at all when I was wearing it, nor was it difficult to remove (even though it fit snugly). I would call and ask your orthodontist to check the fit (did the ortho actually check it?) - it shouldn't be bothering you that much, imho.

#4 Post by **flipib05** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:14 pm

I have an Essix and a hawley for the top and I hate the essix. Mine is so tight when I take it out. I had my ortho look at it and he said its fine. He said they are suppose to be pretty snug so there will be little to no movement going on.

#5 Post by **Chris** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:45 pm

Oh yes, my upper is very tight. The plastic covers my palate so it seems even more snug than my lower essix ever did.

#6 Post by **urfutureortho** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:13 am

Hey. My essix was tight too. The only thing that made it easy to take out, was that it didn't go all the way up my teeth. It went all the way around too. So that made it easier to take out.

Wait, I'm not the only one up here who's essix covered their palate. Yay for me. wooo hoooo

#7 Post by **Chris** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:12 pm

Here is a photo of mine looking down into it.

#8 Post by **urfutureortho** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:31 pm

That's what mine looks like.
Does your's go all the way over your teeth. (which would be up to your gums) or does it cover part of your tooth?

#9 Post by **Chris** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:54 pm

That's what mine looks like.
Does your's go all the way over your teeth. (which would be up to your gums) or does it cover part of your tooth?

It covers all of my tooth structure. Its very comfortable when its on .... taking it off is a different story...my teeth hurt for a few minutes after I remove the thing. To get it off I tug in the back, tug in front, tug on the sides and try to wiggle it off. Its stubborn.

#10 Post by **Granola** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:57 pm

oceanblue, I'm guessing things may seem better in a few days, but if not, definitely check in with your ortho. Thinking again about the first few days in braces, I'm remembering I had a sore spot with my Essix and thought I would need to have it trimmed, but then it magically got better.

I think the previous posters are right about the ones that are made to completely cover the teeth being harder to get off (because of suction). My Essix-type retainer covered about 7/8 or so of my teeth and not the gums, so although it was snug it wasn't too hard to get off.

Just wanted to say again sorry you are uncomfortable and hope it is short lived!

#11 Post by **AnneC** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:07 am

Have you all tried using a small square (~ 2-3") of paper towelling (or gauze if even that is difficult) to grasp your retainers with?

Frankly, it makes all the difference in the world. Even after having completed my Invisalign treatment of over a year, & now wearing that brand Retainers, I use that trick 'cause I still find it's hard to do without it!

I keep a small ziplock type bag on hand with a ready supply. A tissue will even work in a pinch, but it tends to readily dissolve on contact.

Give it a go - hope it helps.
AnneC

#12 Post by **jennielee81** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:57 am

My lower essex was very snug, but quite comfortable! I would put my thumbnails under the front of it (it was a lower) and lift it then slide my nails a little further around and lift.

Give it a few days and see if it gets better.

#13 Post by **Chris** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 4:55 pm

My lower essix was much easier than the top one too. I think its the complete suction you get with it covering the upper palate. I will try the paper square "thingee" if I need to.

#14 Post by **katmc_tx** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:07 am

I've had my upper Essix for five days now and I only wear it at night. When I tried to take it off after the first night

wow it was hard to get off and my teeth were sore. Each night after that its been a little easier but it sure is snug. Mine is pretty comfortable to wear and sometimes at night I forget its there. It does irritate my inner cheek on my upper left side but I just figured it would get used to it after awhile.

#15 Post by **oceanblue** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:02 am

Thanks for your help guys!

I have indeed gotten used to my essix one week later. It still isn't exactly comfortable and I hate taking it out (a bit of pain plus slober), but I'm getting used to it. One more week with 24/7 wear and then I can go to less.