Metal Mouth Message Board

So, last Tuesday I had the pleasure of getting my braces off after 8 years of wear. WOW, my teeth looked huge after they were off. :O My impressions were taken and I was set up to pick them up Thursday. Thursday came and then the magic stopped happening. I was given these clear retainers and didn't expect them to be so tight when they were first put on. So, I'm strapped up and I notice there's a huge problem. I couldn't close my mouth at all. The place on one of my back teeth was angled up and it was almost impossible. They said it was fine and that if I bit down it would be alright.

I left and went home for about an hour. I couldn't hardly talk at all and figured out this wasn't working out so I went back. They decided to clip the plastic that was angled up and it actually helped a lot. I decided to roll with it for a few days.

It's Sunday now and although most of the soreness has went down it's still a lot snugly at the top. (Is this okay?) Whereas the bottom pops in with no problems and feels looser I guess? I'm wearing them 24/7 only taking them out to eat or brush. My biggest concern now is that in order to close my lips I've got to make an effort and it's sort of causing me some muscle or jaw pain. Maybe both? I know I have to wear some form of retainer for the rest of my life now, but I'm thinking these clear ones just aren't working for me.

My orthodontist didn't give me a choice or even ask me about what kind of retainer I wanted. Is this because the Hawley wouldn't work on me? I thought all retainers basically did just that, retain the teeth in place. Should I ask her about the Hawley or just wait it out?

I don't know how the Hawley retainers feel, but I'm thinking if it's in back of my teeth I'd be able to close my mouth easier? Maybe that would be more comfortable? These clear ones are starting to dig into my gums a bit. Before I got my braces off my gums looked pretty healthy, now they look puffy and irritated. I guess that's normal?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

As I understand it, just about everybody gets same-day Essix (clear) retainers upon debracing to prevent any movement while your gums are tightening up again, and after several weeks, you can either stick with the Essix or order a Hawley retainer, if you would prefer one, or if you might benefit from any additional adjustments to your bite that an Essix obviously doesn't help with... Considering you can't bite down. At all. It is so annoying. I am definitely asking for Hawleys at my next appointment. These Essix reatiners have helped the swelling of my gums go down, but not being able to bite down with them in is terrible. They seem to get easier to take in and out as the soreness of your teeth and gums starts to go away... And while they are supposed to be snug on your teeth, they are not supposed to pinch your gums. I hope I helped!

Thanks so much for your input! I guess I'm glad I'm not the only one with the biting issue with it. I'm going to bring up the Hawley retainer next time I go. I know it'll be expensive but I think it's worth the expensive to be a little more comfortable in these, after all we'll be wearing them for a long time unfortunately.

Hi -

I know this is totally off-topic, but I'm very curious to know about your braces experience taking 8 years. What kinds of problems were your braces correcting? Do you have any before and after pics? I'm kind of strange and would like to wear my braces longer than the two years I've been given just because I like them. Were you discouraged by the length of time you had to have braces? Sorry I'm being annoying.

Sadpanda,

I had horribly croaked teeth and a combination of a crossbite/openbite. I was never really discouraged about how long I had to be in them because at the time I was very young and braces really didn't bother me. I was told by my orthodontist that in order to fix my openbite I would need to have my jaw broken and a piece added in there. I, along with my parents wanted no part in that because it was just for cosmetic purposes. I swear that orthodontist pushed it on me a lot when I was growing up.

The thing about me being in them for 8 years, there was really no set date because they were pushing the surgery. I would of been out of them sooner so said the orthodontist.

I don't have any before and after, but I could dig around for an old photo of me. My teeth aren't movie star straight, but they're a hell of a lot better then they were. I'm pleased with the results and just happy to be out of them now.

Oh yeah, don't worry about being "strange". It's cool to ask me anything. :p