Essix Retainer
What is an Essix Retainer? | How Essix Retainers are made? | How are Essix Retainers Work? | How Long Do You Wear an Essix Retainer?
| How long do Essix retainers last? | Pros and Cons of Essix Retainers | Advantages of Essix Retainers | Disadvantages of Essix Retainers | How to Clean Essix Retainer? | Eating with an Essix Retainer | How to floss with Essix Retainers? | Are Essix Retainers Uncomfortable? | How Much Do They Cost? | Speak to our Orthodontist about Your Options
There are many types of retainers a person can use to maintain their teeth in place after certain types of dental or orthodontic treatment. The type of retainers a patient is prescribed depends on the condition of their teeth, their previous dental and orthodontic treatment history, as well as what an orthodontist recommends as the best course of treatment. The retainers guide and maintain the position and alignment of teeth to create an attractive and beautiful smile, and today there’s wide a range to choose from. Essix retainers, in particular, are clear, slim molds that fit over your teeth. Here at Orthodontic Experts, your orthodontist might recommend an Essix retainer as the final stage in a course of orthodontic treatment, or as a complete alternative to braces.
Some retainers are fixed and others are removable and made of wires or plastic. Essix retainers are removable and made entirely of transparent plastic, which makes them less noticeable than traditional wire retainers. Another benefit of Essix retainers is that they encourage good dental hygiene; you can take out your retainer when you brush and floss, and clean the retainer yourself at the same time. Unlike wire retainers, Essix retainers cover the entire arch of the teeth. But like the traditional Hawley retainer, each one is uniquely molded to the shape of your mouth.
Essix retainers are molded to your mouth, making it unique to the shape of your mouth. These retainers cover all of your teeth, guiding them into a position where the upper and lower sets are even and straight and align with each other. Though your teeth may feel firmly set in your mouth, they move when under constant pressure, and can assume new positions in the mouth all on their own. Essix retainers are aesthetically pleasing because of the clear plastic material they are made of. They are also often referred to as overlay retainers because of the fact that they fully cover your teeth.
You are supposed to wear an Essix Retainer as long as it is necessary to maintain the alignment. As far as the durability is concerned, if taken care of, it can last upto 3 or more years easily.
Essix retainers have an average lifespan of 18–24 months.
Just like any other type of retainers, Essix retainers also have some advantages and disadvantages.
Essix retainers have many advantages, including:
- Removable
- Can be easily cleaned
- Transparent
While comparing with other types of retainers there are a few disadvantages associated with wearing an Essix retainer which include:
- Non-adjustable
- Plastic may warp if exposed to heat
- Can interfere with a person’s speech
- Usually an Essix retainer should last the entire length of your orthodontic treatment. When caring for your retainer, advises our senior orthodontist at orthodontic experts, be sure to:
- Rinse your Essix retainer in cold water every time you take it out and before you put it back in.
- Store your retainer in a braces plastic case whenever you aren’t wearing it.
- Don’t brush the retainer with toothpaste, as it can scratch the surface.
- Brush your retainer with cool to Luke warm water and a soft toothbrush after having each meal.
- Don’t put the retainer in hot water, which will shrink it.
- Wash the retainer with a specialized retainer cleaner once every two to three months.
You should NOT eat with an Essix Retainer on. Only water is allowed with it on, otherwise you have to remove it and enjoy your meal and other liquids.
Your life should not change due to retainers, wearing Essix retainers should be trouble-free, and your routine should remain the same. Floss your teeth once a day and brush twice a day, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
If your retainer begins to feel uncomfortable, it’s a sign your teeth are moving out of position and you might not be wearing the retainer often enough. Wearing your retainer more will reduce this discomfort.
Essix retainers reasonably fall into the affordable category, and cost between $150 to $500. Cost may vary with the nature of the case.
If you have recently had your braces removed, or have gone through surgery and require a retainer, speak to our orthodontist at Orthodontic Experts, about your various retainer options. One of the options our orthodontist may recommend is an Essix retainer.
Be sure to follow the necessary instructions and visit orthodontist experts if you experience any issues, pain, or discomfort in your teeth. Call us now to schedule no cost consultation.
This information contained on this website is for the purposes of learning more about the different treatment options.