When to talk to ortho? and Which type do I want?

Message

#1 Post by **katydes** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:05 am

I'm 33 and have had traditional metal braces on for almost 3yrs. I should be getting mine off anytime now. When I started treatment, I didn't know much about braces and certainly nothing about retention. I remember my ortho saying he would do a permanent retainer on bottom and a removable one on top. I've seen his patients coming in for check-ups and they have the retainer with the bar accross the front. My step-daughter sees a different ortho and just got debanded yesterday. They gave her these clear acrylic-looking retainers that look like invisilign braces and both top and bottom come out. I really want this type of retainer. I had already decided that I do not want anything in my mouth that I can't take out for cleaning. Seeing hers just made my mind up. What is the best way to go about discussing this with my ortho? Will it make a difference? And does anyone know what these retainers are called?

Thanks!
Katy

#2 Post by **katydes** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:19 am

Nothin like being first to reply to your own message, LOL. I found the FAQ on the main site and now know that my ortho typically uses Hawleys and I'll probably end up with them even though the essex look really great. Do they make Hawleys for the bottom? Should I wait until I have a debonding date to discuss it, or ask to talk to him next time I go in?

#3 Post by **jennielee81** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:33 pm

HI!

Yes, they make lower Hawley's. Both of my older kids had those and HATED them.

My ortho uses a lower bonded and upper hawley. HOWEVER, right now I have a lower essex because of...well...issues. He took my braces off and then decided that he wanted to move some lowers a little bit more so he tweeked my Essex to do that. Working beautifully, I might add.

I mentioned to him that I really liked that lower Essex and he said that, "I don't like them for long time retention." He will be bonding a lower retainer in about 1 to 2 months. (let me clarify that it is his opinion)

I have an upper Hawley and it's fine. I don't like the looks of the metal wire, but it does a really good job of retaining my teeth. I've had NO MOVEMENT on the top in the 2 months since debonding.

Go with what your ortho recommends, it is what he has had success with. What he is familiar with and what he believes is the best for you.

Don't wait, ASK NOW! Some orthos just go with what the patient requests, others don't. You seem to want to know up front, so ask.

Good luck to you and congrats on 3 years in braces!! Your teeth are going to look amazing!!

#4 Post by **katydes** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:40 am

Thanks so much for responses. Jennielee, can I ask why your kids hated their lower Hawleys? My teeth "looked" straight before I started. I never had a problem flossing, etc. However, I had an open bite that was constantly shifting and had to have several root canals because of the teeth hitting each other at odd angles and getting severely upset. My dental hygenist and endodontist have advised me against getting a bonded retainer because of problems that I've had with pockets, etc. I work very hard to keep my mouth clean and have done everything the ortho, dentist, and endodontist have told me to do. However, I won't budge on this one. I won't have a bonded retainer. I will go to another ortho for retention before that happens. I'm tired of letting people do things to my body that I end up regretting. That's happened my entire life. Thank God I'm 33 now and it won't happen again if I can help it. I will talk to him next time I go in, but I would like to know why your kids hated the lower Hawleys.

Thanks,
Katy

#5 Post by **jennielee81** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:51 am

I will ask them specifically when I get home this evening.

From what I remember them telling me as they complained (about most everything at that age) it was because it didn't stay in place, it caused their speech to be excessively slurpy and my daughter kept loosing hers at night. She'd wake up to find it under her or on the floor. Both stopped wearing the lower one long before they stopped wearing their upper all day. It may be that the ortho I used with them just had a lab that makes ill-fitting retainers.

I think our Administrator, Lynn, has a lower Hawley that she doesn't mind at all.

After reading your reasons, kaytydes, for not wanting a lower bonded retainer, I sure would insist on a lower Hawley! I doubt your ortho would argue that point with you. My kids motivation to adjust to their lower hawley was not there...you have tremendous motivation!!! I'm fairly sure you'll not have the problems my kids had.

#6 Post by **JoeMama** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:07 pm

I have an upper Essix (clear) and lower Hawley. I find the lower Hawley much more comfortable than the Essix. In fact I hardly notice it. I even asked the ortho to switch my top to a Hawley, but she said the upper and lower Hawley are really different (bottom small, top big) and to keep trying with the Essix. Luckily for me I only have to wear the top Essix at night.

It's funny though, everyone I've spoken to about this has a different opinion on which they prefer. I would talk to your ortho and see what they recommend and then try your best with what they give you. GL!