I’m in the same boat—had a clear retainer crack just from taking it out one night. It was so frustrating, especially after shelling out for a replacement not even six months earlier. Switched to a Hawley after that, and honestly, I haven’t looked back. It’s bulkier for sure, but I barely notice it anymore.
About keeping teeth in line: I was worried the Hawley wouldn’t be as precise since it’s got that wire, but my orthodontist said as long as it fits well, it should do the job just as well as the clear ones. I’ve had no shifting at all in the two years since switching. Maybe it’s not as snug-feeling, but the durability makes up for it.
One thing I’ve wondered about is cleaning—my clear ones always got kind of gross, no matter how much I scrubbed. The Hawley seems easier to keep clean, but maybe that’s just me? Anyone else notice a difference with that?
Funny you mention the cleaning thing—I always felt like my clear retainer got this weird film on it, no matter how much I soaked or brushed. With the Hawley, I just rinse and give it a quick brush with toothpaste and it seems to stay fresher. Maybe it’s the plastic on the clear ones that holds onto stuff? I do get a bit paranoid about the wire bending though... Has anyone had issues with that over time? I’m always worried I’ll mess it up just taking it out.
I totally get the worry about the wire. I’ve had my Hawley for a couple years now, and while I was nervous at first about bending it, it’s actually held up better than I expected. I just try to avoid snapping it in or out too fast. One time I did notice a slight bend, but my ortho tweaked it back in seconds—didn’t charge me, either. Definitely feels sturdier (and cheaper to fix) than the clear ones, which seem to get gross no matter what I do. The plastic just doesn’t age well, in my experience.
Definitely feels sturdier (and cheaper to fix) than the clear ones, which seem to get gross no matter what I do. The plastic just doesn’t age well, in my experience.
I’ve actually had the opposite problem—my Hawley’s wire snapped clean off the plastic after about a year, and I’m kind of panicking about what to do now. I know the clear ones get nasty pretty fast (mine turned yellow in like two months), but at least they never broke on me. Did your ortho say anything about how long these things are supposed to last? I’m worried if I just keep getting them fixed, it’ll add up.
Also, does anyone know if you can go a few days without wearing a retainer while waiting for a replacement? My teeth shift super easily and I’m nervous they’ll move back... My ortho’s office is closed for the weekend, so now I’m just stuck holding two halves of this thing and stressing out.
Is it normal for them to break like this? Or did I just get unlucky with a bad batch or something?
That’s super stressful—mine broke in the middle of a trip and I was convinced my teeth would shift overnight. I called my ortho first thing Monday and they told me a few days isn’t usually a disaster, but it really depends on how recently you finished treatment and how much your teeth like to move. I ended up just trying to keep the two pieces together at night (probably not recommended, but I was desperate), and things were fine until I got the replacement.
About the break—my ortho said Hawleys can last years, but sometimes the wire just gives out, especially if you take them in and out a lot or bite down accidentally. They fixed mine once for free, but after that it was out of pocket. The cost definitely adds up if it keeps happening, which is frustrating.
Did you notice any cracks or weird bends before it snapped? Mine had a tiny kink in the wire for weeks, but I ignored it... kinda wish I’d said something sooner. Has anyone here tried those permanent bonded retainers? I’m wondering if they’re less hassle long-term or just a different set of problems.