The big DB-day was 2 days ago and I couldn't be happier with the results.
I was prescribed to wear my essix retainers (top and bottom) 24/7 for 2 weeks and then switch to nights only. My ortho said that I'm welcome to wear them more if I am concerned about retention but advised me that prolonged 24/7 wear has the potential to create an open bite. He suggested that I wear them after I get home from work (around 6 or so and then until I go to work. That would be about 12 hours which I'm comfortable with. I'm just a little paranoid about movement.
The ortho also instructed me to use bite sticks 10 minutes a day (5 minutes for 2 positions). Basically they're tongue depressors that I bite on for 5 minutes going from the back of my mouth to the front (2 stick thickness on each side) and then another 5 minutes with 2 stick thickness running across the front from side to side. He explained this was to ensure that my retainer was seated properly. I'm a little confused as to whether I'm supposed to try to clench on these for 5 minutes straight or just bite down on and off.
Has anyone else heard of this?
Tongue Depressor bite sticks?
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