- Trays actually worked out better for me, cost-wise. I lost my first set, but my ortho offered a discount for replacements—guess it depends on the office.
- Cleaning’s a pain, but I just toss them in a cup with mouthwash overnight. Haven’t had major smell issues since.
- The wire felt more secure, but I kept getting food stuck and it drove me nuts. Flossing was a dealbreaker.
- Honestly, both have their hassles... just comes down to which annoys you less.
The wire felt more secure, but I kept getting food stuck and it drove me nuts. Flossing was a dealbreaker.
I keep worrying about losing the plastic trays, honestly. I know wires can be annoying with food, but the idea of accidentally throwing out my retainer or forgetting it somewhere freaks me out more than the flossing part. Maybe it’s just me being anxious, but at least the wire’s always there... less to remember?
Funny thing—I used to think the same about losing the plastic trays, but after seeing so many patients with lost or broken wires that needed emergency repairs, I’m not sure wires are always “less to remember.” The wire feels permanent, but it can come loose without you noticing. I’ve seen a few folks go months before realizing it... then their teeth start shifting. At least with the trays, you know right away if they’re missing. Both have their quirks, honestly.
I get what you mean about wires feeling more “permanent,” but I’ve actually found the opposite in my case.
That’s exactly what happened to my sister—she didn’t realize her wire had popped off one tooth until her retainer check months later. With the plastic trays, I at least know right away if I’ve forgotten them or if they’re not fitting right. I guess it really depends on your habits and how much you trust yourself to keep track of stuff. For me, the trays are annoying, but I’d rather have that little reminder than risk my teeth moving without knowing.“The wire feels permanent, but it can come loose without you noticing.”
That’s a really good point about the trays being more “obvious” if something’s off. My kid has the wire retainer glued behind his front teeth, and honestly, it feels like a set-it-and-forget-it deal…until you realize it’s not! We actually had a scare last year—he was eating an apple and didn’t notice the wire had popped loose. Only caught it at his next appointment, and by then, one tooth had started to shift a bit. I thought the wire would be less hassle, but now I’m not so sure.
With the plastic trays, yeah, they’re kind of a pain to keep track of (especially with a forgetful teenager), but at least you know right away if they’re missing or don’t fit. It’s definitely a trade-off—wires seem low-maintenance, but they’re not foolproof. I guess for us, we have to keep reminding him to check the wire every so often, just to be safe. It’s all about finding what works for your routine and personality, I guess.