essix vs. hawley

If you have finished with your orthodontic treatment and are wearing retainers (or will be soon), this is a special place to connect with others in your (enviable) situation. Ask a question or make a comment about life post-braces.

Moderator: bbsadmin

Post Reply
Message
Author
abc123
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:30 pm

essix vs. hawley

#1 Post by abc123 »

Hello all! I'm new to this site and while I am not technically part of the "adult" braces community, I will be 16 on thursday, I got my braces off last Friday and have some questions about retainers.

I currently have a temporary Essix retainer on top, nothing on the bottom. Tomorrow I'm getting my real retainers. If I heard my ortho correctly then on the top I am getting another Essix Retainer and on the bottom I am getting a Hawley. I did some research on my own and so far all I've gathered is that Essix's only benefit is that it is less noticable, but I would rather have a better functioning retainer then a better looking one. So I guess my questions are, what is the big difference between them function wise, and why would my ortho want me to have one of each?

joney
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:57 am
Location: England
Contact:

#2 Post by joney »

From what I've read elsewhere, I've got the impression that the Essix (and similar retainers) can sometimes open up the bite (specially if an open bite was corrected during orthodontic treatment)
Eeeek, Meryaten where did you hear this? My ortho uses Essix retainers and I am being treated for an openbite.
2 Extractions 2nd November 2006
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)

Image

lionfish
Posts: 2635
Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 4:16 pm
Location: emerald city, oz

#3 Post by lionfish »

From what I've read elsewhere, I've got the impression that the Essix (and similar retainers) can sometimes open up the bite (specially if an open bite was corrected during orthodontic treatment)
Eeeek, Meryaten where did you hear this? My ortho uses Essix retainers and I am being treated for an openbite.
Joney, I've been in (temporary) essix retainers for the last 2 weeks and nothing has opened up in that time. These will be tossed on Friday when I pick up a positioner, which will finish off the job (am really looking forward to this device.....not). Once I'm finished with the positioner - several weeks from what I have ascertained - I'll be fitted with a bonded retainer and another temporary retainer - I think essix again but I will check.

joney
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:57 am
Location: England
Contact:

#4 Post by joney »

Lionfish, excuse my igorance but what is a positioner, what does it do and why do you only need to wear it for a couple of weeks?

Also, glad to hear that nothing is opening up, that's good news.

Regards
Joney
2 Extractions 2nd November 2006
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)

Image

abc123
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:30 pm

#5 Post by abc123 »

I'm sorry, I thought i was getting my retainers today, i spoke to my mom apparently I'm not getting them until friday.

thank you so much for the info merytan, i'm not entirely sure if thats the reasoning though because the tecs had me pick out the color i wanted for my retainer and everything before my ortho came in to do a final look at my teeth and told them i was getting a clear one on top. Which leads me to believe that he usually uses hawleys for both top and bottom.

i was treated for an overbite (i dont think thats the same as an open bite, but i'm not 100% sure what an open bite is) i had a few gaps in my top teeth because i switched orthodontists part way through and the 2nd noticed that not all the gaps in my top teeth could be closed because as he put it i would end up "slamming my teeth". he also said that if he had started with me he would have recomended that one of my lower teeth be pulled to allow more room to close the gaps up top.

my initial thinking was perhaps the essix are more form fitted and will keep the gaps from getting too large, but after research it apperears as though the hawleys would do a better job of resisting movement...

im sorry for not providing more details, it could very well be because he thinks im more likely to wear an essix, but could there possibly be a funtional reason behind it?

abc123
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:30 pm

#6 Post by abc123 »

I'm sorry, I thought i was getting my retainers today, i spoke to my mom apparently I'm not getting them until friday.

thank you so much for the info merytan, i'm not entirely sure if thats the reasoning though because the tecs had me pick out the color i wanted for my retainer and everything before my ortho came in to do a final look at my teeth and told them i was getting a clear one on top. Which leads me to believe that he usually uses hawleys for both top and bottom.

i was treated for an overbite (i dont think thats the same as an open bite, but i'm not 100% sure what an open bite is) i had a few gaps in my top teeth because i switched orthodontists part way through and the 2nd noticed that not all the gaps in my top teeth could be closed because as he put it i would end up "slamming my teeth". he also said that if he had started with me he would have recomended that one of my lower teeth be pulled to allow more room to close the gaps up top.

my initial thinking was perhaps the essix are more form fitted and will keep the gaps from getting too large, but after research it apperears as though the hawleys would do a better job of resisting movement...

im sorry for not providing more details, it could very well be because he thinks im more likely to wear an essix, but could there possibly be a funtional reason behind it?

urfutureortho
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:56 am
Location: NC, USA

#7 Post by urfutureortho »

Ok, an overbite is where your upper teeth cover your bottom teeth too much. Yes, they are supposed to cover some, but if you are said to have an over bite it covers too much.
An openbite is where your back teeth close, but your front don't.
I hope this helped you in what you asked. If I could remember where the pictures were that I saw, I would show you the difference, but I can't.
If you have questions, just ask, if not me Meryaten would answer or someone else.
-Urfutureortho

lionfish
Posts: 2635
Joined: Wed May 18, 2005 4:16 pm
Location: emerald city, oz

#8 Post by lionfish »

Lionfish, excuse my igorance but what is a positioner, what does it do and why do you only need to wear it for a couple of weeks?

Also, glad to hear that nothing is opening up, that's good news.

Regards
Joney
The positioner (which looks a bit like a mouthguard) is intended to iron out the few kinks that remained when my braces were removed. My bite is not quite lined up on one side.

It's moulded to create a "best fit" for one's teeth, so will feel a bit weird at first. From what I can gather, speaking could be a problem which is why I'm getting it on Friday so that I can enjoy the weekend being silent (as if..). After the first 48 hours, I'll drop down to PT wear for the next several weeks, not sure how many at this stage, but I daresay I'll find out on Friday!

urfutureortho
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:56 am
Location: NC, USA

#9 Post by urfutureortho »

So, I was partly right? I always know that you will come through for us, and correct just because that is what you are good at Meryaten. Well anyways, you and I are both right, but I wont completely sure about it. Thanks
-Urfutureortho

joney
Posts: 1061
Joined: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:57 am
Location: England
Contact:

#10 Post by joney »

Thanks Meryaten, you've calmed me down. Having to wear elastics so much I wouldn't have wanted my bite to open up again in the rentention stage. Hope the Essix does the trick for me.

Regards
Joney
2 Extractions 2nd November 2006
Brace On 10th November 2006
Top brace off 26 June 2008 (19 1/2 months)

Image

ghostmyimag3
Posts: 345
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:18 pm
Location: North Carolina US

#11 Post by ghostmyimag3 »

I got a clear retainer for the purpose of allowing me to bleach my teeth in it over night with opalescence tooth whitening. A kit of 4 tubes i put a small dab in at night in my retainer. Take it out in the morning. I noticed results actually this morning. So weird lol
Image
Metal braces on Uppers and lowers-November 8, 2006
Image

Post Reply