Long term use of retainers

[sean83]

Hello,

I don't suppose many people check back on here 4 years after having their braces off, but someone may be able to advise.

So 4 years on and I'm still wearing my Essix retainers maybe 3 nights a week. I'd love to cut down more but on occasions when I have gone 4-5 days without wearing them they've been quite difficult to get back in.

My question I suppose is how long I should reasonably expect Essix retainers to last? Will I ever need a new set or by that time will I just not need them any more?

What has triggered my concern is that I have had two gum infections in the space of a month and I am wondering if perhaps my retainers aren't as hygienic as they once were and may be causing this?

Any thoughts or experiences of long term use of retainers?

[Snowglobe32]

Are you cleaning your retainers every day? If so, what are you using to clean them?

[Bikerchick85]

I'm not in retainers yet for this treatment (my third) but having retainers before I thought I'd chime in...
As long as you want straight teeth, you need retainers. Retention is a life long commitment as teeth naturally crowd with age.
I'm surprised your essix retainers have lasted 4 years from what I've read about them deteriorating. I would think a fresh set would help retain your teeth better. I'm thinking of doing the vivera program when my braces come off so I'll always have a fresh set. And I am wearing those suckers for the rest of my life. I'm not going through another treatment come hell or high water!

[sean83]

Thank you for your posts.

Snowglobe32 I brush them with water after every use, and after a few uses I use a Retainer Brite tablet. I admit I could do better in this department and have been considering trying an electronic ultrasonic cleaner.

Bikerchick85 I fully intend to wear mine as long as I feel I need to - definitely don't want to go down that route! I may look into the possibility of getting them replaced. Hope it's third time lucky for you

I know that when my current gum infection subsides the retainers will be very tight (obviously not wearing them for the moment) but also worried that they may cause another infection no matter how much Retainer Brite I use!

[kittenpoint]

Instead of Retainer Brite could you maybe use a little bit of peroxide or rubbing alcohol to disinfect the retainers. I'm not sure what would damage the retainers but maybe letting them soak for a few minutes before rinsing them with water might help with the infections. I wonder if you might be having a reaction to the Retainer Brite.

I know this isn't the same material but when my mom used denture cleaner on her dentures they didn't come out very clean, even with brushing; now she uses diluted peroxide and they're much cleaner.

[Labguy]

Essix retainers are only good for about a year

[bracedincollege?]

I still have an upper essix retainer that I've been wearing on and off for the past 6 years, but it's one that the ortho made particularly thick for long-tern nighttime wear. Essentially all the others that I've had have broken after 2-3 years max, but I would assume that if they're not broken or completely disgusting, long-term wear would be okay.