Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi everyone,

I still have until summer before I get my braces off, but my orthodontist says the end is in sight. I have a pulmonologist who wants me to do some sleep testing. I had it done a couple years ago, but I was wearing a sleep splint from my ortho at the time. I had to give that splint up when I got my braces. (I loved that splint.) I'm contemplating waiting to do the sleep study after I get my braces off. I spoke to my orthodontist and he commented that he could do build ups on my retainer to help me with my bruxism issues. I'll do the sleep study wearing that since it will be addressing my needs long term.

I'm curious. Does anyone else out there have build-ups on their retainers?

Good luck facing the home stretch with braces! I'm curious about the build-ups you speak of.. I too suffer from grinding but have never worn a splint/nightguard for it, and also wear retainers while sleeping. What modifications will be made to your retainers? And can you still wear them during the day or will they only good for sleeping in?

Hi,

I really haven't gone into detailed discussion with my orthodontist about my retainer options for after I get the braces off. I've had some pretty major TMJD issues that the orthodontist has been treating for about 3 years now. I've just been extremely focused on getting my bite in order so I don't have those TMJD issues when the braces come off. As part of the first 2 years of my treatment, he actually created splints that function as "sleep dentistry" to help decrease my bruxism. I worry about it after I get the braces off. That was when he made the comment about building up my retainer for when I sleep. I assume that I'll wear that retainer at night only. As I get closer to getting my braces off and have more in-depth conversations with him about my options, I'll keep you posted. I just can't picture a retainer build-up in my mind and all my internet searches on it turn up information on disgusting build up that occurs on retainers when people don't keep them clean.

It would be a good idea to discuss this with your orthodontist. Bruxism can lead to more dental and TMJ issues down the road if it isn't addressed early on.

My ortho made a similar comment about a build-up on my retainer. I wore a splint for decades due to bruxism and some TMJ problems. Not exactly sure what that's going to mean.

Sounds interesting.

I am near completion with my fixed brace and also have a removable bite plate in addition, which has addressed the bruxing too. I will be having a bonded and an Essix retainer but am worried it may possibly not last long, as I am unsure of the thickness and durability of the Essix retainer.

I wonder whether a build up on a retainer could be a reference to an upper Hawley retainer having thicker than usual acrylic behind the incisors ( just like a bite plate) in order to keep the molars apart when it is worn? If this is the case, might such a retainer cause unwanted extrusion of the molars?

I am also interested in this issue because my dentist thought the excessive wear on my left side was because I was grinding my teeth.A couple of years ago he made me a mouthguard to wear at night. It is a bit like a thicker, more flexible essix which goes on my bottom teeth. I can still wear it because my bottom teeth are not braced. I am not sure whether the wearing down of my teeth was, in fact, caused by grinding or by the malocclusion of my teeth.My ortho is not sure either but she sees no harm in me continuing to use the mouthguard.

When I am finally debraced ( whenever that is!), I will ask my dentist to make me a new mouthguard to go with my new retainer. If I do, in fact, grind my teeth, the mouthguard should protect the retainer from being damaged (and a new mouthguard costs much less than a retainer- my dentist only charged me the lab cost of £17 for the last one).

As to type of retainer, my preference would be for a permanent one since they appear to interfere least with normal life, especially drinking tea and coffee and eating out. Also they are not visible. My dentist has warned me that permanent retainers are prone to failure ( don't know if my ortho would agree!) and I certainly don't want any relapse, so I will ask my ortho if I can pay extra and also have a removable retainer to guard against breakage of the permanent retainer and be available as an interim if the permanent one does fail. My preference would be for a Hawley since they appear be capable of lasting for many years; I would not mind having the wire across my teeth if I only wore it at night. Whether my ortho feels this would be the best arrangement may be another matter and I suppose I should be starting to discuss it with her.

I am really looking forward to being able to bite into apples again. This is one of the things I have missed most. I still eat an apple most days but having to cut them up reduces my choice of when and where to eat them. I just hope that apple eating will not be inconsistent with wearing a fixed retainer.

Good luck to all!

Jem

Fixed retainers can be repaired or replaced. Some people have had fixed, essex type, and hawley to wear at night. With all the money we pay and discomfort we endure to get our teeth fixed, it would seem to me that it pays to get as much retention help as possible. My ortho originally talked about fixed retainer on bottom and essex to wear top and bottom. When he talked about build-up, he was not not specific as to retainer type, and I have some time to go before we have to have a serious discussion.