Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Night time retainer for teeth

30 replies

AllstarFacilier · 02/04/2024 20:32

Sorry, I’ve posted this here for beauty but I’ve got no idea which forum it should go into.

My daughter must put pressure on her retainer at night. She wears it to keep her teeth from shifting after having her braces removed. She’s had them off for about 18 months, and has had to buy three new retainers at £100 a go. Is there anywhere we can buy these for cheaper, that are intended for keeping teeth from moving? I’ve found some sites on line but I’d rather go with recommendations than chose something cheap that doesn’t fit well or do the job.

OP posts:
sausagedogpookie · 04/04/2024 01:16

Looolaa · 04/04/2024 00:20

It doesn’t sound like great quality if they keep breaking. Maybe try another practice?

I just got impressions for new retainers to be made last week. It cost me £180 total for both upper and lower retainers. I thought that price was reasonable as I’m expecting them to last a long time. I won’t be happy if they crack after a few months or even after a couple of years.

The initial set I got in 2016 lasted until the other week when I mistakenly threw them in the bin and took the bin! There Was no signs of cracking and I grind my teeth. I’d had them for about 8 years. It worries me in this country that the prices of some things keep going up while quality is declining.

I don’t think retainers frequently breaking should be normalised, unless people are sitting on them or chucking them against walls or something they should last quite a while really.

Edited

Apologies,I completely missed your post!( I think I was watching the video linked by the other poster and typing a reply.) That’s very helpfully interesting info - yours lasted so long and with teeth grinding! I agree,for the price,I expected them to last much longer than they did. I feel you and @Maybeicanhelpyou have given me sufficient vindication to take it up with the orthodontist,thank you both.

sausagedogpookie · 04/04/2024 01:22

Maybeicanhelpyou · 04/04/2024 00:53

@sausagedogpookie
also check how your kids are storing them when they’re not wearing them. Some types need to be kept damp, some in water, some in special solution, rarely dry. This may be your problem. But even if it is, it’s still down to the professional to get to the bottom of it for you.
I would be very unhappy if my patients felt like you do.

We have always just kept them as we were advised by the orthodontist - clean and in their little plastic case he provided (it has little holes in the bottom). I had no idea that there was any other way and it was never mentioned when we took them back in either. I shall investigate further,thank you!

friggingno · 04/04/2024 01:26

Team @sausagedogpookie all the way!
Some dentists seem to have an inflated sense of their abilities and that doesn't always match the performance unfortunately. However, when you are paying top whack and taking care of yourself, you are allowed to form your own opinion.

sausagedogpookie · 04/04/2024 01:26

goldenretrievermum5 · 04/04/2024 00:56

DD has Vivera retainers - they are brilliant, really good quality with much thicker plastic and made to last. They’re not the cheapest (£500 for a set of 3 pairs) but very much worth the money. The way I think about it is that if her teeth move it will be ££££ for more treatment, £500 every 3 years is nothing compared to that. Whilst waiting on the Vivera ones to arrive she had a regular one made by the orthodontist, it felt very flimsy in comparison and I can see how PP’s DC are wearing them out so quickly

Edited

I’ve never heard of Vivera,thank you for the info,I will Google! £500 is pretty spendy in one go (gulp!) but at least you get 3 pairs and if they’re great quality,you don’t mind the outlay as much because you’re getting good value.

sausagedogpookie · 04/04/2024 01:46

Thank you @friggingno!😘
This post (apologies to the original OP!) has shown me that despite my better judgement that it wasn’t ok,I’d accepted poor quality equipment because I’d been led to believe that’s just how it was and knew no different. I’ve felt pretty cheesed off,so looked for an affordable alternative but thankfully,some of you lovely MNers have enlightened me and now I feel better informed and know it’s possible to actually get something properly fit for purpose, that lasts. The orthodontist will be getting a call soon!😁

New posts on this thread. Refresh page