Essix fuller coverage, sore molars

[karencoutts]

I have two sets of retainers, one Hawley, one Essix. Over time, I found that I prefer the Hawley. It just seems cleaner--while I am using retainer cleanser regularly to clean the Essix, it just seems to be more prone to feeling unclean.

I have been wearing my Hawley more often than the Essix. I used to alternate, but lately have been using only the Hawley. Last night I put in the Essix, and it fit in fairly easily. But this morning, I find that my upper molars are sore, as if I have been starting treatment wearing braces. I've noticed in the past that the Essix cover the back molars, but not the Hawley.

Wouldn't this mean that the Essix are superior to keeping *all* teeth in place?

[BracedSurgeryStudent]

Yes that's what it meas because they are new and more advanced in technology nad treatment. For example surgery where they used to open you up used to do the trick and it would have higher risks nowa days theres new less invasive surgery that gets the job done and done safer. So in essence, the Essix retainer is like that less invasive surgery. Gets the job done better than the Hawley. I hope it helps. You can always ear the Hawley in the day and the Essix at night or vice versa so you get a little of both.

[Labguy]

I have to disagree with the above post: essix retainers are in no way superior to hawley retainers, they are just another tool that the doctor can use to keep your teeth straight post-treatment. Some docs hate essix retainers because they feel the natural bite when you close your mouth is the best form of retention and the essix inhibits this because it covers the occlusion. A well made hawley is more durable, will last longer and will do the trick. Choosing essix retainers for post treatment is a matter of philosophy for a doc, the way they were trained, and can sometimes be a simple matter of cost--essix retainers are much cheaper to make. If you do like the essix, I recommend keeping a mold of your mouth. If they are lost or wear out five years down the road, your doc might not have the originals anymore or they might be stuck in storage or you could move, etc. I've actually seen cases finished where the back molars are tipped in and gradually drift into alignment over time, through occlusion.

[karencoutts]

So... do you have an explanation as to why my molars are sore when I put on the Essix again? Does this not indicate that the teeth have moved into the wrong position (not in the original Essix mold configuration)? That is, haven't the teeth shifted into an undesirable position? The Essix is basically a snapshot of the final position after braces were removed.

I disagree with the suggestion of the Hawley allowing occlusion, occlusion being beneficial for somehow moving the teeth into proper position. When I bite down, my molars *never* touch. The only contact point "occlusion" is my lower incisors with the surface of the upper Hawley, right behind the top incisors.

How does the Hawley keep the rear most molars in place when there is no contact with them, either from occlusion or wire/plastic?

I have to disagree with the above post: essix retainers are in no way superior to hawley retainers, they are just another tool that the doctor can use to keep your teeth straight post-treatment. Some docs hate essix retainers because they feel the natural bite when you close your mouth is the best form of retention and the essix inhibits this because it covers the occlusion. A well made hawley is more durable, will last longer and will do the trick. Choosing essix retainers for post treatment is a matter of philosophy for a doc, the way they were trained, and can sometimes be a simple matter of cost--essix retainers are much cheaper to make. If you do like the essix, I recommend keeping a mold of your mouth. If they are lost or wear out five years down the road, your doc might not have the originals anymore or they might be stuck in storage or you could move, etc. I've actually seen cases finished where the back molars are tipped in and gradually drift into alignment over time, through occlusion.

[karencoutts]

Also, I note that only when I remove the Hawley, do my molars touch. The Hawley prevents my molars from touching.

[Labguy]

These are good questions for your orthodontist. There are a few different answers. My post was basically a response to the other post, not to your original post--I apologize for the confusion. The Essix "should" be a final snapshot, but that is not always the case. Was it a good impression? The most distortion I see is with the final molars. Most hawley retainers end where yours does. Some doctors even only use retainers for the front 6 or 8 teeth, feeling that is sufficient to keep everything else in line.

The hawley retainer should not inhibit you from biting down, unless it is specifically made to do so. Biting down is not meant as a way to move teeth, though it can happen, but what I think I said(?) was that some doctors feel that natural occlusion is great for keeping teeth in their position, something that the essix retainer does not allow for.

But you were asking about pain in your back molars. I would ask your orthodontist. Without seeing the specifics of your case, your final molds and your retainers, the best I can do is offer advice and thoughts on the post. A lot of time and money went into your beautiful new smile. Any and every concern that you have should be addressed by a doctor, which I am not. I don't think that you have to worry about your back molars slipping into an undesirable position with the hawley or else the practice would have changed decades ago. If the essix causes soreness, talk to your orthodontist for peace of mind if nothing else.