Bonded or Hawley?

Message

#1 Post by **Zeppguy73** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:12 pm

Hi, this is my second time with braces, and my essix retainers from before didn't work that well. Of course, once I received them I didn't wear them like I should have, but I was a kid... Since I had a slight open bite from a jaw issue post- treatment (no tongue thrust or speech issues) my orthodontist has recommended bonded retainers, but is leaving it up to me. I like the convenience of the bonded, and he said they wouldn't be permanent, probably no more than 6 months-1 year, but I'm worried about food getting stuck, and the speech issues that could arise from my tongue flicking up against a wire all the time. The other options I'm considering are hawley and or/ a combination of hawley and bonded. Does anyone have bonded retainers and haven't had any problems with speech, even when they were originally placed on the teeth?

#2 Post by **DireWire** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:23 pm

I just got a bonded retainer (bottom only) today. It doesn't affect my speech at all, and I'm pleasantly surprised how comfortable it is. The wire is completely covered in bonding material, so there are no sharp edges at all.

On top of that, I'll have Essix retainers top and bottom, so my ortho is convinced that the bonded alone would not be sufficient.

DireWire

#3 Post by **Zeppguy73** » Sat May 02, 2009 11:16 am

anyone else want to weigh in? Anyone develop a lisp with a fixed/bonded retainer? My ortho said that I would only wear a bonded for a maximum of 6 months, just to make sure my teeth don't move after debonding. Sounds great to me, but I don't like the idea of a wire on the back of my teeth.

#4 Post by **Lilypad** » Sat May 02, 2009 1:17 pm

I have a bonded retainer on the back of my two upper front teeth. It took about 3 days to get used to it, had a very slight speech problem. Now, I dont really even realize it's there. Just got back from a cleaning and the hygenist said I was doing a good job of keeping it clean. I use floss up to the wire and then one of those tiny Gum soft pics (a little brush) at the gum line. I have also worn an essix over this but now have been changed to a hawley. I REALLY like the hawley alot better!

#5 Post by **kvp81** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:29 pm

I have both - I have bonded on the bottom and a hawleys on top that I wear every night. I got my braces off nearly three years ago.

No speech impediments from the bonded retainer - that one is great. Only problem is the build up of calculus I get which means I need to maintain my regular cleans.

The hawleys at first was a little tricky to get used to but now I don't like going to bed without it in... it's uncomfortable NOT having it in at times! Personally I like the combination of the two, I think having a bonded retainer on the top would be even trickier to keep clean as you can't easily see the back of your top teeth.

#6 Post by **Jenny5** » Wed May 13, 2009 12:14 pm

I've had a bonded retainer on the bottom for about 6 months and just got one on the top 2 days ago. I don't have any complaints at all. They take a few days of getting used to and it feels like you'll never adjust to them, but then all of the sudden, you forget they're even there. The speech problems are temporary (a few days tops), if you have them at all. If you could get used to braces and everything that goes along with them, you will have no problem getting used to a bonded retainer. Food does sometimes get stuck on my top one (I don't have this problem with the bottom), but nothing compared to braces. I also have an essix retainer on my top teeth and am having a MUCH harder time adjusting to that than I did with either bonded retainer and so far, the speech problems from the essix are a lot worse. If you are a big flosser, you might find it difficult to floss around the bonded retainer, but you can definitely make it work.

#7 Post by **Zeppguy73** » Thu May 14, 2009 9:47 am

at my appointment today, I asked my ortho for an example of a bonded retainer, and he opened his mouth to show me that he has both upper and lower bonded. Told me that he has never had any problem with them, and no speech issues. Thanks for all the replies.

#8 Post by **lala007** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:25 am

I'm confused why do some people have bonded retainer and the other kind for the same teeth? Ex. both for the top teeth wouldn't one do the job?

#9 Post by **Lilypad** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:57 pm

my ortho was afraid the gap between my front 2 teeth (4.5mm) would return without wearing a retainer 24-7. So he put the bonded on just those teeth and thought the hawley at night would keep the rest of my teeth in their assigned spots LOL.

#10 Post by **lala007** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 6:44 am

I just got my braces off (Sep 9th) I only had them on my top teeth to close a gap and slight over bite and I got the bonded retainer as well as the Essix. No problems at all so far except I noticed yesterday that some of the bonding material has rubbed off exposing some of the wire in the middle, the ends are fine seems like there is extra bonding material on the ends.

I am going to call my ortho on Monday to see if I can come in. Is this normal?

I only wear my Essix at night no problem with that my only concern is how to keep it clean over a period of time I was told to use a toothbrush and water only.