Retainer after braces?!
Question: I'm getting my braces off in 2 weeks and i was wondering do you get a choice between an essix or hawley retainer or does your dentist choose/recommend one over the other?
Also which is better hawley or essix, and which will last longer?
Answers: I'm getting my braces off in 2 weeks and i was wondering do you get a choice between an essix or hawley retainer or does your dentist choose/recommend one over the other?
Also which is better hawley or essix, and which will last longer?
Both are good for retention. Essix are nearly invisible, but are easy to lose. Hawleys have wires on them, so they're hard to conceal. Hawleys can be adjusted if you need any minor adjustments to change your tooth or teeth's position. Once Essix are made, that's how your teeth will be held. Hawleys are a little more bulky, but hold up longer to consistent wear. If it were me, I would prefer to have both. I would wear my Essix during the day, and my Hawley at night.
The orthodontist I work for uses both. In addition to those, he also uses lingual wires that are bonded in for several years. The full retainer is worn then only at night.
Hope this helps. Congrats on getting a brand new smile! :o)
Sometimes you can be okay with either one. The essix retainer is nice since you can wear it all the time without having a wire of metal going across your teeth or feeling the acrylic on the roof of your mouth. Iam thinking that maybe the hawley though may be more durable.