Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi,

I was told that I was getting a "spring retainer" because one of my front teeth is shifted back. I never needed braces, but this one tooth is pushed slightly back. However, I got something that looks like a Hawley retainer instead, and it is killing my mouth. The wire parts that go on the biting-side/underside (the part where your upper teeth and lower teeth make contact) are keeping my jaw pried open, i.e. my top and bottom teeth do not meet. Is that normal? I only have one for the top teeth -- as only one top tooth needs to be moved -- yet my entire mouth is throbbing. When I take it out to eat, my bite feels off. It looks like this: http://www.smileoutloud.com/images/appl ... ns_006.jpg

Is that normal? How is it not going to separate the back molars that it is hooked on to, thus leaving a gap, with a metal bar constantly putting pressure BETWEEN them?

Perhaps I'm not putting it in correctly. Should the acrylic part be touching the roof of your mouth? When I put it in so that it is "on" but not pushed all the way up, it feels better and like the metal bars aren't being wedged between my back molars. Is that how it is supposed to be worn?

Thank you so much for any feedback!!!

That sounds like what I had to fix my front teeth only--it was hard to get used to at first but it eventually fits between your back teeth and is much more comfortable to wear! The acrylic should be flat against the roof of your mouth. It was painful at first but I am very happy w/ the results.

I was just on this forum trying to figure out if I should ask my dentist about getting a new retainer because I've had this one for 8 years. I still wear it at night, keep it very clean and it still works. But I'm not sure it's supposed to last forever!

Good luck.

I was looking through the main website and it said those retainers can last forever!

I read this somewhere while I was browsing myretainers.com, I can't seem to find that info but I also saw this:

http://www.gacstraightnclear.com/images/bulletin.pdf

and this

http://www.westchesterortho.com/retainers.htm
I guess that one says they last forever.

I was looking through the main website and it said those retainers can last forever!

I read this somewhere while I was browsing myretainers.com, I can't seem to find that info but I also saw this:

http://www.gacstraightnclear.com/images/bulletin.pdf

and this

http://www.westchesterortho.com/retainers.htm
I guess that one says they last forever.