Those with essix...

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#1 Post by **alibaba** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:10 am

To all those who have or have has Essix retainers - just wondering if you could tell me - do you find that if you've left the retainers out(say through the day) then you put them back in again, do you feel that they "pull" the teeth back to alignment again and straighten things out? Would be really interested in your responses on this!

#2 Post by **SnowSara** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:29 am

Most definitely! I'm to a point where I like to experiment a little with longer stretches of time out of my retainer, I'd like to start wearing it night only if I could. I don't think I'm there yet, because if I leave it out for a good part of the day I feel a lot pressure on my front teeth when I put my retainers back in. Within a few minutes of wearing the retainer the pressure goes away and it feels like my teeth have "snapped" back into place.

It's interesting that it's always my front teeth that feel the most pressure, as that is where all my gaps were that we worked so hard to close up. They want to run away from each other again! It's a great reminder of why i need to be wearing the retainers as much as i can.

#3 Post by **Mmmmuuaa** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:40 pm

i've been really good at wearing my retainer full time, though a couple of times when I'm somewhere where we're eating and drinking for hours I've noticed some pressure on like 2 or 3 teeth. Nothing horrible and it only lasts about a minute. I've only had my braces off for 1 month, so I think that's to be expected.

#4 Post by **mmh** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:18 am

My ortho told me to wear my essix 'full time' except when eating or drinking (anything but plain water). I'm guessing lots of patients leave it out for hours at a time during the day and put it back in at night. I am trying to wear it as much as possible during the day (and of course at night). I haven't really noticed any change in how my teeth feel when it's been out an hour or so over a meal and dessert, cup of tea etc etc, it can be a while! Can't wait til it's night time only so am persevering with it as much as possible. Hope that helps. mmh

#5 Post by **Chris** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 8:33 am

I started going night time only before my first year was finished. I have had absolutely NO problems with the upper essix and teeth moving...still no tightness when I put them in a night (religiously!). However, my bottom front teeth are another story. Seems they want to twist and turn without wearing my retainers. I hate wearing them during the day and still wear them night time only but I know they move during the day and in the morning they look perfect. I suppose I should wear them 24/7 for several months again..