Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi -- So I was debraced and returned one week later for a bottom essix retainer only.

I have bonded top AND bottom retainers. I need the bottom essix because I have two spaces in my lower arch where I had extractions. One space will be replaced with an implant - the other space, not sure. Too late for an implant without a bone graft which I do not want so unsure what I will do there. Choices are a bridge or wear a removable retainer forever. The essix is being used so my teeth do not shift into those spaces and throw off my bite again. My plan is to go for the implant in a few months. I'll need my retainer adjusted as the implant process continues.

ANYWAY - my essix HURTS big time. When the ortho placed it on my lower teeth for the first time he could not get it out without causing me a great deal of pain. He said he would adjust it - which he did and then put it in again. It was a bit easier to remove but still not great. He told me to begin wearing it as soon as possible that night and it would get better as my teeth when back into place.

It's been 5 days - it still hurts when removing and is quite tight. Is this normal??? I also have one tooth that throbs after I take it out for a while. It is a tooth that is directly infront of the gap where there is one tooth on one side. I'm sure this is a rare case I have - most people probably have all their teeth when they get their retainers.

Aren't there any other kinds they use these days? When I had braces many years ago we had different types of retainers - were those Hawley's? He said these are much better - but boy they were sure easier to take out and did not cause the pain!

I return to the ortho for a re-check in 5 weeks. I'm sure what I'm feeling is pretty normal - just wondering what others have gone through. I did search for similar topics - not finding anyone that has spaces though after brace removal.

Thanks!

I wonder if your teeth moved while you were waiting for your Essix retainer and cause pain. I thought most of orthos make Essix retainers at their office so that patients can take the retainers with them on the debrace day.

Yes my teeth definitely moved in the week between being debraced and getting new retainer. (Not all orthodontists make retainers in their office - some send them out to be made and I had permanent ones put in the day I was debraced but this would not prevent side teeth from shifting).

But he adjusted the retainer slightly and said it would be tight for a while until my teeth shifted back. So far - it is still tight and now causing me some jaw pain as well - I think I might be grinding at night with it in.

I've had mine for 5 weeks. No pain at all. I had mine made in office same day though. I did have a bit of a problem sneezing out my upper one, even though it was pop on and off tight. They tried an adjustment that didn't help so they just made me a second upper one.

My Orthodontist customized an upper Essix that is different for night to keep me from grinding at all at night. I was very worried about that when he told me the braces were coming off and he assured me he would address my concerns. With the customized splint, he added a 'wedge' of acrylic in the front that keeps my lower jaw forward and prevents me from being able to grind. Best of all... he provided it to me 'free' as part of my overall treatment cost.

is there a fake tooth that remains locked into your essix upon removal? the function of the tooth is to maintain the space as an implant requires a certain amount of space to succeed. do you have long crowns with deep undercuts around the gum line? unless these are blocked out, the resulting essix will have been formed into these undercuts making it difficult to insert and remove. a hawley with a prosthetic tooth is the way to go if the preceding is true.

[quote="ortholabowner"]is there a fake tooth that remains locked into your essix upon removal?

No - but plastic material from the retainer sits in the holes (I have two spaces one on either side of lower jaw). The retainer keeps all other teeth in place - which in theory should prevent them from shifting now that braces are off.

>the function of the tooth is to maintain the space as an implant requires a certain amount of space to succeed.

I've been assured that the retainer will hold the space if I wear it every night until I get my implant. (The other side I don't plan to get an implant so will continue to wear a retainer after implant is placed on one side.)

> do you have long crowns with deep undercuts around the gum line?

No - I have one crown but it is top, no essix retainer is worn on top.

Thanks for feedback!

sorry for the misunderstanding; by ''long crowns...'', i was referring to all of your teeth as each tooth has a root and a crown (the visible portion of your tooth).