Asking my Ortho about retainers during consultation

Message

#1 Post by **BraceFace2o1o** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:03 am

I was going to post this in the Metal Mouth part of the forum as I am not yet in braces, but thought I'd best put it in the retainer section.

So, I am still in the consultation stage and I have the 2nd part of my consultation next week (this part is for me to ask any questions I have)... and one of my questions is going to be about retainers.

One thing I want to ask is do I have a choice over which retainer I can have (obviously I will listen to my Ortho as he is the expert!)... I have no idea how or why an Ortho chooses a certain type of retainer over the other (for example a Hawley over an Essix or vice versa).

Currently I have quite a deep overbite, and the Ortho says once my upper teeth are aligned I will then have an overjet (my upper front teeth currently slant inwards), other than that I am not aware of any other bite problems.

I'm wondering, for example, if the Ortho wanted to supply me with an Essix retainer, could I ask for a Hawley too (I should imagine I will be charged for this).

I know I have a long way to go until retainers, but I want to make sure my Ortho hears my concerns and is willing to listen... that's why I want to ask about retainers at my 2nd part of the consult to get a feel of how he is with retainers, if that makes sense... Rather than leave it until the end of my treatment.

I don't think I would be too bothered about the look of the retainers (I understand some people prefer Essix as they are clear, rather than the metal bar of a Hawley), I just want to be supplied with the ones that will keep my teeth/bite retained as best as possible.

What were your bite issues if any? What retainer did you get? and did you have a choice? Did you get more than one? if so was there an extra charge for this?
Or, if you aren't near the end of treatment yet, have you and your Ortho discussed anything about retainers yet?

I feel a little silly asking the Ortho all the above questions about retainers when I still have a long way to go as yet... it's just I want to be totally happy with everything before I go ahead with anything.

#2 Post by **sadpanda** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:52 am

I asked my ortho about retainers (or maybe he even brought it up) at the first consult, so I don't think it's weird. And I haven't had braces that long, so I'm very far from getting a retainer, but it was nice to know a little about them going into the whole thing.

#3 Post by **opera^gal** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:14 am

I asked my ortho about mid-way through treatment whether the cost of retainers were included <they were> and if she had a preference as to what type. My dentist had suggested hawley for both top and bottom, and the ortho agreed. I had impressions for the retainers made 2 wks before debanding, so they were ready as soon as the train tracks were removed.

#4 Post by **drrick** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:47 am

I am routinely asked about rets at the initial consultation.
No big deal to ask.

#5 Post by **poppy123** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:54 am

What are hawley adnd essix retainers?? i have no idea? im having a 'fixed' retained. Like Chrystal my two front teeth sloped backwards (not any more!!

) so i will end up with a slight overbit which means i can have a thin wire fixed permanently to the back of my front 6 teeth. I am also getting a clear retainer (invisilign style) to wear at night time (plus a spare one). he said to still wear the night time one as well just to make sure they definately dont move. the fixed one stays in place for ever.... (well up to 10 years i think!)... and is checked and re-fitted by my normal dentist in future.

#6 Post by **seriousthinker** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:56 am

Hi,

We're at a similar stage and at my consultation the ortho said that my retainer will cost £100 and be a clear retainer to be worn every night at first then 3-4 nights per week forever. I believe this is the essix. He said my bite is fine with no overjet so maybe the essix is best used for my criteria. I'm glad he spoke about it because I would have forgotten to ask.

When he did the break down of price he told me that £100 is added for retainer and then the cost of the whole amount was detailed below.

ST

#7 Post by **BraceFace2o1o** » Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:56 am

poppy123 wrote:What are hawley adnd essix retainers?? i have no idea? im having a 'fixed' retained. Like Chrystal my two front teeth sloped backwards (not any more!! ) so i will end up with a slight overbit which means i can have a thin wire fixed permanently to the back of my front 6 teeth. I am also getting a clear retainer (invisilign style) to wear at night time (plus a spare one). he said to still wear the night time one as well just to make sure they definately dont move. the fixed one stays in place for ever.... (well up to 10 years i think!)... and is checked and re-fitted by my normal dentist in future.

Hi poppy123,

Hawley retainer looks like this:

Essix retainer looks like this:

seriousthinker wrote:Hi,

We're at a similar stage and at my consultation the ortho said that my retainer will cost £100 and be a clear retainer to be worn every night at first then 3-4 nights per week forever. I believe this is the essix. He said my bite is fine with no overjet so maybe the essix is best used for my criteria. I'm glad he spoke about it because I would have forgotten to ask.

When he did the break down of price he told me that £100 is added for retainer and then the cost of the whole amount was detailed below.

ST

Hi ST,

Yeah we are at the same stage (seems to be quite a few on the board at the moment), I have 2nd part of consult next week then hopefully a date for the fitting!... I think you should get your ticker sorted to count down the days until your B Day!

I didn't really get a chance to ask questions at the first part of the consult, I think that was mainly for him to check my teeth out, do impressions, profile photos and to discuss possible treatment.
I have the 2nd part next week and I must remember to write down my questions!

#8 Post by **poppy123** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:29 am

eww the hawley ones looks scary - it reminds me of a brace i had when i was 9 years old. im gettin the essex one - i get 2. but if i need to replace it its costs £180 - so i'll be keeping the spare one locked in a safe!

is anyone else geting a fixed retainer?

#9 Post by **sapphirerose924** » Sun Oct 17, 2010 7:46 pm

My orthodontist told me that I would actually have to have two sets of retainers because I am a grinder. He will need to incorporate a night guard, which will make it bulkier into the night time set. Not sure which kind he will use, but I have heard that grinders are really hard on essix style retainers.