Hiya people!!

I want to know about retainers.I know there few types of retainer:
1)retainer with one long wire
2)the crystal retainer(like those boxing plastic teeth...I dont know whats it call-to protect the teeth)-invisible retainer
3)retainer behind the upper front teeth(fixed retainer)

I know the lower front teeth,the retainer is hidden behind the teeth.I want to know more about the upper retainer.

Which you think is better??Number 1 or 2 or 3??
Is number (3 )good?retainer is behind the upper front teeth,so basically its just like the lower front teeth retainer,nobody would know you're wearing the retainer.But is it good?Are there prons and cons wearing it??


ANyone wearing the hidden(invisible)retainer,care to tell me more about it??

thanks!!

This post has been edited by shadychaz: May 4 2006, 10:56 PM

i think it's braces, not retainers.. (retainers are worn after using braces.. to prevent relapse..)

basically all 3 do the same thing.. moving your teeth so that they align together nicely (hopefully that's what they will do..) and all three can be worn on both upper and lower teeth..

no 1 is the most visible while no 3 is the least.. and usually no 1 is the cheapest while no 3 is the most expensive..

but the most important thing when wearing braces is taking REALLY good care of your oral hygiene.. if you can't even take care of your oral hygiene when you're not wearing braces.. with lots of plaque and all.. just imagine when wearing braces.. with lots of tiny crevices and irreguralities on the brackets' surfaces.. more and more plaque will attach to it.. and believe me.. cleaning and brushing your mouth will be more difficult when wearing braces..

one more thing..
wearing braces, during the initial period, is painful..
but no pain no gain..

edit: retainers also have all three types that you mentioned.. but still its 1>2>3 in terms of cheapness and visibility..

This post has been edited by amy test: May 7 2006, 01:47 PM

erm, i want to ask a question b4 i answer to ur question.. why is it that ur doctor nvr let u know bout the pros n cons? furthremore, isnt the doctor suppose to "prescribe" u the type of retainers u r suppose to wear after ur brace/b4 ur brace?

i'm wearing the no.2 now. i just took out my brace. it's err good looking cos its like u said, invisible. but u cant eat with it (all retainers u cant eat while u're wearing). erm, practically no pros n cons la... the usual thing.

retainers are basically the same to me. wore the no.1 b4 too. hm but i prefer no.1 than no.2. even tho the no.1 can see the wire which is horrible but erm i feel more comfy in it.

i really dont know how to explain it to u.

i'd prefer if u go straight to the ortho doc n get the answer straight from him

You explained well

Well...the no1 ,can see wire and well not nice lo.
No2 ,must take extra cautious care and no3 is permanent retainer..no need take out at all .Can wear it forever or take it out few years later.But nobody will know you wear the retainer.The price is the same but no3 ,a bit difficult cus its very easy tercabut the wire .Not everyone can wear the no 3 .
I did consult my doctor at first but my doctor told me only about no1 and no2.My doc never said anything about no3 only when i was about to take out my braces and when my fren told me about the no3 i asked my doctor,then only explain to me.That time me was in doubt,dunno to wear no 2 or no 3...so i was so so worried..
Currentl me using no 3,not yet tercabut and nobody knows im wearing a retainer at all...but sometimes must be careful what me eat la..cannot eat those very solid food or the wire will tercabut.