Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello all

I had my braces removed on Monday (2.5 days ago) and I'm still having difficulty removing my Essix retainers. When I have wiggled one side slightly free of my teeth, it causes huge pressure on the front teeth and those on the other side and I can't see how my teeth will settle if being squashed 3 x a day (removing for meals only) My front top teeth had 3 adjustments in the month before removal of my braces so they are already pretty tender!

Any tips for a retainer newbie?

Many thanks

Ann

I had a bear of a time getting mine out for the first few weeks. Wish I could give you the magic formula for removing them but I never really found one . I used my thumbnail to lift it up a bit and then went back and forth from side to side until it popped off. I still have to pry the bottom retainer up with my nail every morning, it doesn't just pop right out like the top one.
There is a tool you can get from DentaKit.com that might help. I never tried one but if you've got weak nails it might come in handy until the retainers come off more easily.

Thanks for the reply Lela A week on, things are a little easier. The bottom one pops out relatively easily now. I'm now easing it off a little all the way around, instead of attacking one side and that's helping a lot. Top one still a struggle but easier than it was!