If you have finished with your orthodontic treatment and are wearing retainers (or will be soon), this is a special place to connect with others in your (enviable) situation. Ask a question or make a comment about life post-braces.
Hi
I've had my essix retainers for almost six months now. The upper one has been cracked over the right molar for the past couple of months. Due to clenching I think! My next appointment should be in July, but I'm still awaiting a date.
So just how long should these things last?
I've been told they last for 3-4 years but if you grind your teeth at night you are in for replacing much sooner. Get a nightguard...I wear www.splintek.com with my essix retainers in place.
The crack shouldn't have any affect on movement accept perhaps where the crack is on that molar. Always best to call the ortho office. Some places make the essix right there at the office instead of in a separate lab.
Top Braces June 2004
Bottom Braces November 2004
Debanded January 2007
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I only clench my teeth when I'm awake and only realise I'm doing it when the pain kicks in! One Ortho called it the "Rowntree's effect" gotta chew, gotta chew!!
I'll see what my Ortho says but I hope I don't have to get a new one every few months cause I doubt the NHS would cover that!!!
I possibly do work 'em at night aswell, I just don't notice so much, I breath through my mouth at night so it's usually open anyway.
The Ortho mentioned a different type of retainer when he took my moulds, I didn't recognize the name but he'd completely forgot a few hours later when he fitted my essix.
I got my essex june of '06 and I constantly clench my teeth both during the day and night. I just got my bottom replaced in may and my upper this week and decided to go with the essex again. I thought over 2 years was a pretty good amount of time and my ortho said to wear them for a couple hours during the day instead of at night so i might be more aware that im clenching and hopefully stop me biting through them again.
for me, I find they only last about a year, but I do grind my teeth. I actually asked about getting a hawley retainer instead for that reason, but my ortho said he only uses those for when peoples teeth shift, and that I didn't need that kind. and I guess in my case they were afraid to use a bonded retainer because my teeth are prone to decay. I do like the way the Essix retainers look though.
