Is the Essix Retainer actually clear?

[hopeful2011]

I was told I would receive an Essix retainer after my treatment, and the retainer they showed me looked absolutely perfect on the display mouth set in the office.

I recall seeing a friend who was debraced and she had a very obvious plastic covering over her teeth. I am wondering if that is the way they actually look on people? For those who wear them or have seen them on others, are they pretty hard to notice? Or can you tell when you look at your/another person's mouth?

Thanks!

[TumbleDryLow]

I have Essex top and bottom. From a distance they won't be noticeable, but unfortunately I have to say I am a bit disappointed with how noticeable I think they are close up. You hit it right, it really does look like plastic covering the teeth. At first this really bothered me, but now I could care less. If I can do braces for 33 months, I can deal with plastic teeth. Plus it's not forever. At some point you will only need to wear them at night.

[hopeful2011]

Thanks TumbleDryLow! I guess it figures it would look better on the model than in real life, LOL. I am sure it is a nice step up from braces though

[jxds]

I wear essix retainers. I wore them all the day for 6 months, now I only wear them at night. They are more noticeable to you than to other people, and as long as you keep them clean, they will remain clear. If someone looks closely at your teeth, he or she will notice them, but otherwise nobody seems to notice.