Retainers keep breaking

[Holland]

I recently got my braces off (January) and I keep breaking my hawley retainer wire. The first time I was just standing in my room yoyoing and the top one broke. I contacted my ortho and he made me a new top and bottom because he said the bottom wasn't fitting right. The second time I was just grocery shopping and I felt the top one break again! It's in the same place but on the opposite side, it happens right at the bend before it attaches to the acrylic. Pics:http://www.flickr.com/photos/61257938@N ... 754848644/ . And then I was sitting on my bed and I pulled the bottom one out wrong and it broke in the same place. What's the deal? Is this common? I hate to keep paying for retainers, any idea why this is happening? Can I get a stronger retainer or something?

Thanks in advance,
Holland

[TumbleDryLow]

That's strange. I always thought Hawley retainers were the bomb-proof ones that lasted 10-15 years. Well.....you can try asking your ortho to make you an Essex retainer. If you are not familiar with these, they are the clear ones that look like and Invisiline tray. As a molded piece of plastic, there are no wires to break off. No retainer is indestructible though. The Essex is prone to cracking, especially if you grind your teeth at night. There seems to be some debate on the life span of Essex retainers. I've read that people have had them for 4-5 years, others only 1 or 2 before they need replacement. Personally, I've had mine for 10 months and I see no wear at all.

[loradora]

Are you sure you're taking them out correctly, using the little piece on the side to remove them?

[Holland]

Like I said in my original post, I took the bottom one out wrong. How fragile can it be that it would just break by taking it out one handed? there are no uber retainers to get that wont break?