Totally hear you on the wire vs. plastic debate. The Hawley can be annoying, but there’s something to be said for not having to dig through garbage for it... I’ve seen so many patients lose their Essix retainers at school or restaurants, especially with that napkin trick. One thing I will say—Hawleys might feel bulkier, but they’re way more durable if you tend to be a bit rough on your stuff. Just depends what bothers you more: the wire or the risk of losing it.
- Honestly, I’ve had both and I’m still torn. The Hawley’s wire always made me feel like I had a permanent salad stuck in my teeth, but at least it survived my dog’s “taste test.”
- Essix is way comfier, but I did the napkin trick once at Chipotle and… well, let’s just say I’m not proud of dumpster-diving for dental gear.
- Here’s the thing—if you’re super forgetful (like me), the wire might be worth the trade-off. But if you hate feeling anything bulky in your mouth, Essix is hard to beat.
- Also, minor pro-tip: colored cases make it harder to lose in the first place... unless you lose the whole bag, which, yes, I’ve done too.
Man, the napkin trick gets us all at some point. I swear, the number of times I’ve almost tossed my Essix in the trash at restaurants... it’s like a rite of passage. I do get what you mean about the Hawley feeling kind of “present” all the time, though. Mine had this weird way of collecting every single crumb if I wasn’t careful, but at least it was basically indestructible. My dog chewed up two Essix trays before I learned to keep them out of reach—never even tried with the wire one.
Totally agree on the colored cases. I thought I was so clever with a neon green case, but then managed to leave it in a hotel room anyway. At this point I think forgetfulness is just part of the retainer experience.
Honestly, there’s no perfect answer. If you’re someone who loses stuff a lot (guilty), Hawley is probably less stressful. But if you’re sensitive about how things feel in your mouth, Essix is hard to beat. Either way, just sticking with it is the real win—so props to you for keeping up with it, even if it means the occasional dumpster dive.
I get the whole Hawley = indestructible thing, but honestly, I found mine way more annoying than just being “present.” Maybe it’s just me, but the wire always rubbed a sore spot on my gums and I could never get used to how it changed my speech. I’d rather risk losing an Essix every now and then than deal with that constant irritation. Plus, cleaning the Hawley felt like a never-ending battle—those crumbs you mentioned? Yeah, I once pulled mine out after a sandwich and it looked like a science experiment.
On the flip side, I do get nervous about how fragile the Essix trays are. Cracked one just biting down too hard on accident... not my best moment. But for everyday comfort, especially at work or out with friends, I’ll take the plastic over metal any day. Guess it’s just a trade-off between peace of mind and peace in your mouth.
We’re in the middle of this right now with my kid—she’s got a Hawley and honestly, I’m always worried about her getting sores or messing up her speech for school presentations. But I’m also paranoid about her losing those clear Essix trays since she’s notorious for misplacing things. Did anyone’s kid manage to keep an Essix in one piece for more than a few months? Trying to figure out which is less stressful long-term.
