Essix Retainer

What is an Essix Retainer?

An Essix retainer is made from thin, durable thermoplastic material and fits comfortably over your teeth. Once in place, it is virtually invisible and designed to be less bulky than other retainers like a Hawley retainer.

Essix retainers are effective and unobtrusive. They can be good retainers after aligner therapy, such as Invisalign.

What Are the Advantages of Choosing an Essix Retainer?

The advantages of choosing this type of retainer include the following.

1. Because the retainer is invisible, you are more likely to wear it.
2. An Essix retainer is low-profile and can feel more comfortable than a Hawley retainer.
3. An Essix retainer is less likely to cause any speech issues.

What Are the Disadvantages of Choosing an Essix Retainer?

1. Unlike a Hawley retainer, adjusting an Essix retainer is impossible. If there are any fit problems, it will need to be replaced with a new retainer.
2. If your Essix retainer becomes damaged, it cannot be repaired and must be replaced with a new retainer.
3. Your retainer may become warped if you expose it to heat.
4. An Essix retainer can discolor so it is more visible over time.
5. The retainer is designed to completely cover your teeth so your upper and lower teeth cannot come into contact, which can feel a bit unnatural.
6. An Essix retainer can trap liquids, so if you have anything sugary to drink, you must remove it, or it could increase the risk of cavities.

Caring for Your Mouth While Using Your Essix Retainer

While wearing your Essix retainer, it’s important to continue your normal oral care routine, just like you did while wearing your aligners. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice daily, and floss every day.

Can I Eat with My Essix Retainers?

You must remove your Essix retainers before meals and when drinking anything other than water. Otherwise, foods and beverages will likely stain them, and plaque and food particles can become trapped underneath your retainers. When these are trapped against your teeth, your risk of oral disease increases.

How to Clean Essix Retainers

Caring for an Essix retainer is the same as caring for removable aligners. Ensure you follow the steps below to keep it fresh and clean.

• Rinse your retainer in cold water before and after each use.
• Clean your retainer after every meal by brushing it gently using dish soap or a proprietary cleaner. It’s best not to use toothpaste as this is too abrasive and could damage it, making the surface look cloudy.
• Store your retainer in the case provided whenever you aren’t wearing it.
• Ensure you don’t clean your retainer in hot water that could warp it, and store it away from direct heat.

Looking after your Essix retainer will help it last longer. We will also assess its condition at your checkups, so please bring it with you. It should last a long time, but eventually, we will need to replace it for you.

How Long Must I Wear My Essix Retainers?

Initially, we will require you to wear your retainers full-time, but as your teeth settle down, you can gradually decrease the wear time. However, you will still need to wear the retainers at nighttime for quite some time and periodically for life.

Essix retainers are discreet and unobtrusive and should feel comfortable to wear since they are only retaining your teeth, not moving them.