Has anyone cut their essix retainer to size?

[janie]

Hello all,

I need a tooth at the back extracting and so my current retainer won't fit over the back teeth any longer.
I know that my retainer is only designed to keep the front 6 teeth straight, so would I be able to cut those back teeth off the end of one side of the retainer so it fits again?

I don't want an expensive trip to the orthodontist - has anyone done this?

[Snowglobe32]

Why is your essix retainer "only designed to keep the front teeth straight?" That seems odd to me.

I wouldn't do anything on your own. I would call the ortho. You may even need a new retainer after the tooth is extracted. Better to be safe so you don't end up in braces again.

[janie]

Hello,

Thanks for your reply.
I had treatment with the inman aligner which is used only to straightenthe front 6 teeth.
I have a bonded retainer and that is only fixed to my front 6 teeth also.

Just wondered if anyone/ or their orthodontist has cut theirs to fit.

[plugnickel69]

My ortho has cut mine down to allow my molars to settle. I started off with six teeth on a side, then he cut it down to five teeth, and the newest one I had made encloses four teeth on a side, eight in all.

I agree you should at least talk to your ortho. Even if you only had the front six straightened, I guarantee that now that you had a tooth extracted your bite will change--and it won't be for the better. Even if you have to pay, a few dollars now might save you thousands later.

[TMJJill]

I agree with talking to your Orthodontist.

My Orthodontist actually fitted me with Essix retainers that only cover both my upper and lower front 6.

I do have another upper sleep splint that covers the entire arch too.

It has worked for me. The thing to watch for with the small retainers though is that it is easy to sneeze them out. I've had to go searching for mine a couple times.... funny afterwards, but not when you are on your hands and knees searching.