Re: Removable vs. fixed retainers

[Guest guest]

I'm just starting my second round of braces, but I really hope I'll

be able to get the fixed retainer when they come off next year.

When I was 13 and got my braces off the first time, I was given the

plastic retainers you can take out, and I might as well not have had

them. I couldn't keep them in. They hurt during the day and while

I tried to keep them in at school, sometimes I just took them out

because I could and they were hurting or interfering with my

speaking and eating. At night they always popped out of my mouth in

my sleep, and then my dog would take them and hide them (no joke!)

I actually asked my OD if I could get the fixed retainer because a

friend of mine had it, and he basically told me it was the last

resort but he really didn't like to put them on his patients.

So...I eventually quit wearing them and quit going to the OD. Then

my jaw grew more on one side, my wisdom teeth came in, and

everything changed. My teeth may not have been perfect today if I'd

had the fixed retainer (since my jaw is asymmetrical and my centers

don't line up), but I can't help thinking that they'd at least be

straight and I could have skipped the braces this time around.

My current OD has planned for removable retainers at the end of my

treatment now, but I'm definitely going to ask him about

fixed...because I know me and I'll get lazy and stop wearing the

removable ones.

[Guest guest]

I have both, removable both up and down, and a fixed one for my 2

front upper teeth. Mine is not like a wire, it's a smooth piece of

metal, with like 2 sort of small buttons glued to the back of my

teeth. It doesn't bother me at all, it is almost impossible to floss

in between the metal and my teeth because they are very close to my

teeth/gum. But I can floss in between my 2 upper teeth because the

device is so " high up " . My teeth move very quickly (i've only had to

have fixed braces in for 6 months total so go figure), that's probably

why I have both. Since my fixed braces came off in november, only one

tooth (the one next to my upper right front tooth) has shifted

(rotated) a bit (I think I am the only one who notices though), the

rest is ok, but I do need to wear my retainers 24/7. I didn't know so

many people had (fixed) retainers that hurt or bothered them. Sure I

needed to get used to my speach a bit, but after a couple of weeks,

you can't tell the difference when you talk anymore.

Nathalie

> > >

> > > Hi Ray,

> > >

> > > Having had a removeable wire retainer and then going on to a

> fixed

> > > wire retainer, you might want to reconsider. My teeth didn't

> stay put

> > > with the removeable wire retainer, although I wore it most of

> the

> > > time, more than advised by my ortho.

> > >

> > > Now, things are firmly in place. Yes, it's more inconvenient for

> > > flossing, but then, flossing is not my favourite activity

> anyway, so

> > > it's ALWAYS an inconvenience.

> > >

> > > Just a thought.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

They aren't a problem, read my response to Ray's post. Only problem I

see is an emotional one!

> > >

> > > Hi Ray,

> > >

> > > Having had a removeable wire retainer and then going on to a

> fixed

> > > wire retainer, you might want to reconsider. My teeth didn't

> stay put

> > > with the removeable wire retainer, although I wore it most of

> the

> > > time, more than advised by my ortho.

> > >

> > > Now, things are firmly in place. Yes, it's more inconvenient

for

> > > flossing, but then, flossing is not my favourite activity

> anyway, so

> > > it's ALWAYS an inconvenience.

> > >

> > > Just a thought.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Oh, and I forgot to quote my surgeon: " adult teeth have memory, they

want to go back to their original positions " , and my ortho: " ^%$%^ & $#

adult teeth! " .

> > >

> > > Hi Ray,

> > >

> > > Having had a removeable wire retainer and then going on to a

> fixed

> > > wire retainer, you might want to reconsider. My teeth didn't

> stay put

> > > with the removeable wire retainer, although I wore it most of

> the

> > > time, more than advised by my ortho.

> > >

> > > Now, things are firmly in place. Yes, it's more inconvenient

for

> > > flossing, but then, flossing is not my favourite activity

> anyway, so

> > > it's ALWAYS an inconvenience.

> > >

> > > Just a thought.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

this is not a problem?

" I can't bite with those wires (I'm forbidden to, by the ortho). No

apple, carrots, etc. "

i'm willing to accept this, but i never thought i'd have to wear the

fixed retainers for life....

> > > >

> > > > Hi Ray,

> > > >

> > > > Having had a removeable wire retainer and then going on to a

> > fixed

> > > > wire retainer, you might want to reconsider. My teeth didn't

> > stay put

> > > > with the removeable wire retainer, although I wore it most

of

> > the

> > > > time, more than advised by my ortho.

> > > >

> > > > Now, things are firmly in place. Yes, it's more inconvenient

> for

> > > > flossing, but then, flossing is not my favourite activity

> > anyway, so

> > > > it's ALWAYS an inconvenience.

> > > >

> > > > Just a thought.

> > > >

> > > >