my fixed retainers are really buggin me!

[bellini]

I just finished my Invisalign on Monday, and the orthodontist installed fixed retainers on the top and bottom. I was very pleased with my whole invisalign process, and love how my teeth look, but I really really HATE these retainers, and can not imagine myself getting used to them.

The wire goes across 6 teeth on the top and 6 teeth on the bottom and is attached to every tooth.

- I am lisping
- food gets constantly caught in them
and by FAR the worst thing:
- my TONGUE is sooooo SORE!

The pain to my tongue is actually keeping me up at night...
I don't see how I can possibly ever get used to having this for the rest of my life...

I honestly would rather have the crooked teeth, even after dealing with it all for the last 7 months and all the money spent, I would rather have crooked teeth back than have to suffer through these permanent retainers for the rest of my life. Even if my tongue were to get used to them, I don't want to be picking food out of my retainers after every little thing I eat...

I've sent the orthodontist an email to see if I can have other options. I'd really really like a hawley, which is what I had the first time I had braces.

I'm very very sad and in very much pain.

[bellini]

Sorry, I should also add, that I will also be having an Essix on the top in addition to the fixed retainer.

(and I mistyped - I had Invisalign for 17 months, not 7)

[sdp5543]

I've had my upper braces off for about 7 weeks now and have a permanent retainer as well as an Essix retainer. It takes a little bit of time to get used to but you will. I had traditional braces so I always had the problem of food being caught in them and the trouble associated with getting it out. In a few weeks I'll have the bottom taken off. As far as your tongue goes, try your best not to rub the wire with your tongue. My ortho told me that you can rub your tongue raw if you do that. Hang in there.

[Zipp]

If I were you I would ditch the fixed retainer and get a set of clear (essex) retainer trays to wear at night. That's what my ortho gave me and I couldn't be happier! Sure I have to pop them in at night, but it's not a big deal. It has only been about 5 days but they fit quite snug.