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Original poster

Anyone have the retainer after Invisalign? Or after any brace? Which would you advise???

22 replies

Mrstumbletap · 19/07/2017 20:47

Right at the end of my Invisalign treatment and have been given 4 options by my dentist to complete the treatment and be on my way:

1- removable retainer to wear at night (free)
2- Vivera retainer (apparently better and made by Invisalign) wear at night. (£300)
3- fixed wire top and bottom (£300)
4- fixed wire and the cheaper retainer (£400)

Which should I go for? Any orthodontic experience from any of you lovely mumsnetters?

OP posts:

AmethystMoon · 19/07/2017 20:53

I'd avoid the fixed wire. Just had mine removed after bacteria got behind the cement (used to attach to teeth) and caused softening of the tooth enamel (early decay).
My dentist who does Invisalign recommends the removable retainers for this reason. Just had impressions for mine taken today.

Original poster

Mrstumbletap · 19/07/2017 21:14

Oh really? That's awful has it damaged your tooth?

I was just reading online about the wire and read a dentist saying the wire is like 'your insurance' that they won't move.

Are you having the free or more expensive removable retainers?

OP posts:

Sherbet38 · 19/07/2017 21:18

I have fixed retainers top and bottom. I've had them about 3 years, have teeth checked and cleaned every 6 months, and no problems so far. I chose fixed because I didn't think I would end up wearing the retainers every night... I'd be likely to forget!

AmethystMoon · 19/07/2017 21:58

Yes it has damaged my tooth

I'm having the retainer made privately, not sure how much as I'm having a few bits done all in the same course of treatment (chipped a tooth too )
I had the fixed retainer put on 11 years ago and the decay is only recent. I too knew I wouldn't wear night retainers!
But now this has happened it's off and staying off! I'll wear the retainers. I had fixed braces twice due to not using retainers the first time around (daft I know) I'll learn eventually.
That said the wire has been insurance for sure, teeth have hardly moved in 11 years, but at the cost of the damage. So I'm thinking I was lucky to have it for so long and will now just have to get used to the night time retainer.

pigyoinkoinks · 19/07/2017 22:02

I had fixed retainers put in 2 years ago, I always lost or damaged my removable ones!
I forget my retainers are there most of the time!

SadAboutTheBoy · 19/07/2017 22:07

I'm about to finish my invisalign treatment soon too. Am going for the fixed wires and an overnight retainer. My dentist says most people can't be trusted to wear their overnight retainers often enough and it's just a waste of money and time spent on the initial treatment.
Both DS and DH have fixed wires and haven't had any problems.
We all use the Philips Sonicare AirFloss thingie which really keeps our teeth clean!

Original poster

Mrstumbletap · 19/07/2017 22:08

Ah sherbet and piggy when you go for a normal dental checkup do they clean around the wires for you? Like a hygiene appointment or do you just manage with the floss sticks and good brushing?

OP posts:

Crashbangwhatausername · 19/07/2017 22:12

I have fixed wires and my teeth have barely moved but I cannot keep them clean, I floss, use the interdental brushes and an electric toothbrush but have to have the excessive plaque build up removed by the hygienist every three months. Disclaimer: For some reason I have always had plaque build up quite quickly behind my bottom front teeth though - I used to put it down to not flossing and having a manual toothbrush but have since proved that may not have been the entire cause.

Original poster

Mrstumbletap · 19/07/2017 22:14

3:1 in favour of the the wires at the moment then.

Have to make the decision tomorrow when I see the dentist.

Have the wires on either your teeth or your family members teeth kept the teeth really straight?

OP posts:

ElizabethBennettismybestfriend · 19/07/2017 22:20

I have the second option - was offered a deal for 3 pairs for not much more than the price you were quoted for 1. No problems so far. Once you get into a routine you don't forget to use them - just like using the Invisalign retainers during the day.

pigyoinkoinks · 19/07/2017 22:45

Yeah the dentist does a good clean on them every 6 months or so.
I look after them well, don't get plaque build up. I use the little brushes you clean between your braces with as well as flossing around them.
Up keep is very 'everyday' and normal to me now.

I paid a lot to have straight nicely shaped teeth. It was the best thing I ever did.
Life before was constantly smiling with my mouth closed or a hand over my mouth as I spoke.

I don't want to go back to that! i love my fixed retainer!

If it ever damaged my teeth I would look for an alternative though!

pigyoinkoinks · 19/07/2017 22:46

And yes my teeth are still very straight

Original poster

Mrstumbletap · 19/07/2017 22:53

Do you just have the wire piggy or the wire with retainer over the top?

As I have just realised keeping the wire clean, and cleaning the retainer is going to be a long process every morning and evening, more than I'm doing now which already takes 5 minutes (compared to DH with his 2 minutes) to brush my teeth then clean the retainer and floss a bit. I hadn't thought about them cleaning the retainer wire too. Hmmmm

OP posts:

OOAOML · 19/07/2017 23:22

I have Vivera - got 3, I think for less than you quote. £200 and something? I know someone who snapped her wire several times and was worried about keeping it clean. Initially I had a few months of wearing retainers most of the day (used to this with Invisalign) then told I could go to night only. I am just used to cleaning it now, and also use Retainer Brite.

Ellisisland · 20/07/2017 09:45

I went for option 2. I wear mine every night. Its just a routine like anything else and my teeth have remained straight.

Sherbet38 · 20/07/2017 12:38

mrstumbletap I do get a fair bit of plaque build up on the fixed retainer. I floss with the interdental sticks ( not as often as i should ) and i have a hygienist appointment 6 monthly to keep them clean

Original poster

Mrstumbletap · 20/07/2017 21:52

Ooo retainer brite I have never even heard that of that.

Went to the dentist today and she said I have a week to think about it whilst the free retainer gets made.

Do you sometimes put the retainer back in and it's all tight after not wearing anything all day?

OP posts:

NormHonal · 20/07/2017 21:56

Fixed wire (am on my second one in about 9 years) and more hygienist visits than a normal non-wired person would have...3 a year.

Luckyaide · 20/07/2017 22:42

Had fixed wires, my teeth still moved and they snapped! Now have retainers that I wear every night.

OOAOML · 20/07/2017 23:38

Sometimes it does feel tight, but it is meant to keep them where they were after Invisalign. I tend to wear it a bit during the day at weekends as well (but rarely at work).

Original poster

Mrstumbletap · 22/07/2017 21:32

That's exactly what I was thinking of doing OOAOML wear them at night and a bit more over the weekends.

Thank you all for your replies

OP posts:

StrawberryStar · 22/07/2017 22:56

Fixed wire and night retainer here. Recently my wire came loose over the weekend but I was able to wear the retainer. If not I fear my teeth would have moved- from past experience they move very quickly.

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