question about essix retainer

[haywire]

hello. i'm gonna get debraced in 1-2 months and i'm gonna wear an essix retainer, i wanted to ask, is it that noticeable, like if you talk with a person face to face from a normal distante, can that person see that you have something weird on your teeth? if not, what if you smilie.. ?

[TumbleDryLow]

There are many people who will disagree with me, but yes, I find the Essex noticeable and, in my opinion, an Essex looks like what it is: A piece of plastic covering your teeth. I joking call it "Saran Wrap for my Teeth". No one will notice it from a distance, and you won't see it in pictures, but if you are close up it's obvious that there is something on your teeth. I've had people pointedly stare trying to figure out what in the world I have going on in my mouth. In my case, my Essex ends just above the gum line, so if I smile big or laugh, you can clearly see where the Essex ends. Bizarrely, I'm more self conscious in this stupid retainer then I ever was in braces. Go figure.

I asked my otho for a Hawley, but they find that type of retainer "old and outdated" so I had no choice but to get the Essex. I'm starting to have issues with my bite, so I really hope that at my retainer check I can switch into a Hawley. Yes, you will see the metal across my teeth, but I'd rather have it obvious that I have a retainer rather than being stuck with a thing that fails at being discrete.

I'm really sorry for such a negative post, but....you did ask.

[rolo]

I think it vairies from person to person, for me not very noticible, the biggest incovenience is eating, I tend to snack and this involves taking out and cleaning regularly. I didn't notice a colleague wearing an essix retainer despite working closely together all day last week. My friends don't think my retainer is visible, maybe they are just being polite, I have quite a high gumline so top of retainer doesn't show. For me not an issue.