Need Essix Suggestions

[macgirl4ever]

I was debraced on Monday and got both an essix and hawley retainer on the same day. I wear the essix during the day and the hawley at night. I must say that I am not as fond of my essix retainer as I thought I would be. In fact, if I could ever learn how to talk without a lisp while wearing the hawley retainer, I would skip the essx all together. I'm having three problems with my essix:

1). No matter how much I try to file down the edges, the insides of my cheeks are being cut up and my gums are in varying states of upheaval.

2). The fit is super tight and I gouge my gums each time I take it out. (I bought an ART but can't seem to figure out how to use it or if it would even help my particular problem).

3). At the end of the day, I get a migraine and I think it might be because I don't gave a bite and my jaws hurt from the thick plastic.

If anyone has suggestions as to what I can possibly do until Monday when ny ortho's office is open again and I'm boomed for an emergency appt, I would be incredibly grateful.

[evilnel]

It seems like people who wear the Hawley retainer get pretty good at talking with practice. This long weekend seems like the perfect time to just try to get used to the Hawley and rely on that instead. I have an Essix, and it's awkward because I can't bite, but they bent the edges in such a way that it doesn't scrape at all (granted I only wear it at night so I'm not talking much). So maybe wear the Hawley through the weekend and then take the Essix in to get it adjusted on Monday?

[TimSeattle]

I had the same problem. Your ortho can trim the Essix retainer so it is more comfortable.

[jxds]

From my experience, the essix can fell really tight at the beginning, but then somehow your teeth adjust to it and it will feel looser. I also had some headaches my first week with the essix, perhaps related to the tightness -but in my case it lasted just a few days!

As for the retainer edges, probably they can just adjust it so it does not hurt your cheeks!