Essix Retainer: Everything You Need to Know for After Braces

An Essix retainer is a type of clear plastic retainer that is used to keep your teeth straight after orthodontics treatment.

Some people prefer Essix retainers over others like Hawley retainers or bonded retainers because not only are they removable, but they are also barely visible.

In this article, we'll give you the information you need about cost and cleaning requirements to decide if this type of clear retainer is right for you.

What is an Essix retainer?

An Essix retainer is a removable retainer made of clear plastic. Essentially, these smile correctors are a plastic mold made to fit perfectly over your teeth. They need to fit well (without being painful) to stop your teeth from moving out of their new, perfect alignment (known as relapsing). These clear retainers come in upper and lower sets, or as a single device and are one of the cheaper options when it comes to picking a type of retainer.

Clear retainers are made from a model of your teeth, so they are a precise fit. This model can be created either from a 3D scan or from a dental impression using putty.

Are Essix retainers better?

An Essix retainer may be the better choice for you, and it may not. Below is a short pros and cons list to help you decide if Essix is right for you.

Pros

• You can take it out; making them easy to maispntain as well as causing fewer eating restrictions
• The easiest option when it comes to cleaning
• Clear and practically invisible

Cons

• Difficult to speak with at first
• Easily warped or broken from heat or stress.

Hawley vs Essix retainer

A Hawley is more commonly known as a “wrap around” retainer and is the poster child for adolescent orthodontia. With their characteristic fun colored plastic and single wire across the top front teeth, the Hawley was once known as the only option in post-braces life.

Have a look at the following table for a summary of the differences between these two options:

To sum up, an Essix is a clear alternative to the Hawley that snaps into place and doesn't leave the characteristic wire that interrupts your smile. There's another type of retainer also, the permanent retainer. This one is fixed to the backs of the teeth and is another great option.

Essix retainer uses

The most common use for Essix retainers is to keep teeth from shifting after braces have been taken off. These types of retainers are easy to wear because they can be removed easily for cleaning and eating and don’t impact the appearance of your smile.

A clear retainer of this type can also be worn to correct your teeth alignment during the day (however this is usually only effective when only one or two teeth need to be moved). It's also possible to use a series of Essix retainers to slightly shift the position of your teeth, although the more common way to do this is using invisible braces, which are specifically designed to straighten teeth bit by bit.

Invisalign is a popular brand of clear aligners, but it's not the cheapest. If you're considering using retainers to straighten your teeth because of the cost, check out some cheaper Invisalign alternatives instead.

Essix retainer for missing teeth

Essix retainers can also be used to hide missing teeth. Basically, this entails taking a mold of your own teeth and filling in the missing tooth with a prosthetic one to give the appearance of a complete smile.

These clear retainers are sometimes suggested to prevent the ICL (interproximal contact loss) between an implant restoration and the adjacent tooth. Sometimes an implant tooth can end up wearing down on the tooth next to it due to natural shifting, and Essix retainers are one way to prevent this from becoming too problematic.

Essix retainer cost

Essix retainers tend to be on the cheaper end of retainers. They can cost anywhere from $50–$200 per set and will last up to 5 years with proper maintenance. Ensuring that the retainers are clean and you don't lose them will keep the cost of replacements down.

However, Essix retainers have a tendency to degrade over time (plastic and stomach acid don’t make the best of friends) and snap or break, especially if you are a nighttime tooth grinder. Keep this in mind when you are working out the total cost of your retainers.

One way to get custom-made Essix retainers at a good price is by cutting out the middle man and ordering them online from a service like Sporting Smiles.

You first order an impression kit to take your impressions at home and then your retainers are made by professionally trained technicians in a lab. Once they've made your retainers, they send them directly to you.

Sporting Smiles offers two types of Essix retainers—standard and Plus, for those who need an extra durable retainer.

You can also purchase one or two at a time, depending on your needs. The prices are as follows:

• Essix plus, Set of 2: $130
• Essix Plus, Single: $90
• Essix standard, Set of 2: $110
• Essix standard, Single: $85

Order your kit now and use promo code SMILE10 to save 10% on your retainers.

Essix retainer care

Essix retainer cleaning is extremely important and many people forget to clean them or are put off by the task entirely, but it really is very simple.

To clean a clear removable retainer, be sure to use cold water as hot water can warp the plastic and render it useless.

There are two ways to clean an Essix retainer:

• Day-to-day cleaning: This method is for after each meal, or at the end of each day or night.
• Deep cleaning: This is for when your retainer needs a bit more than a quick once over. This should be done once or twice a week to prevent bacteria and plaque buildup that can lead to tooth decay.

Everyday cleaning

Cleaning your retainer regularly is extremely important but it really is very simple. We have a separate detailed guide for how to clean retainers, which includes some product recommendations, but for now, here's an overview of what to do:

1. Remove the retainer and brush the plaque off the inside and outside using dish soap (not toothpaste as it can damage it).
2. Rinse with cold water, make sure there is no soap left unless you want your mouth to taste like the inside of a dishwasher!
3. Dry it off and pop it back in your mouth. Quick and Easy!

Deep cleaning

Deep cleaning Essix retainers can take a bit longer, but if you don’t routinely do this it can lead to a few problems. Neglecting to thoroughly clean your Essix appliance can lead to:

• bad smell
• discoloration of the plastic
• poor dental health

So without further ado, here are the recommended steps for deep cleaning:

1. Remove the retainer and lightly brush off the plaque as you would with daily cleaning.
2. Place it into a glass of cool water with one or two retainer cleaning tablets (such as cariPRO retainer cleaner).
3. Rinse after the fizzing of the tablet stops (3-5 minutes)
4. Brush with the leftover tablet water quickly and rinse.

Many people don’t think that brushing retainers is totally necessary for the care of a removable retainer but ask any orthodontist and they will insist that brushing your retainer is just as important as brushing your teeth.

The following video shows the recommendations of an orthodontist for keeping your Essix retainer clean:

Conclusion

The primary function of an Essix retainer is to keep your teeth in their new correct position after orthodontic treatment. In rare cases, this type of retainer may be used to slightly correct the position of teeth, but normally that's a job for clear aligners or traditional braces.

Using retainers and properly caring for them will ensure that your mouth remains camera ready and healthy for many years to come. But, as always, speak with your orthodontist about which option is right for you.

If you are ready to keep your teeth straight with Essix retainers, don't forget to take advantage of the Sporting Smiles sales!

FAQs

Can I eat with my Essix retainer?

Eating with your Essix retainer in place is not advised because chewing food may damage the retainer and then you'll have to replace it altogether. Plus, food can get stuck around the retainer. This can create an unpleasant odor and attract bacteria to your teeth. You should also remove your retainers to drink anything except water.

Also, avoid wrapping them in a paper napkin while you eat. It's likely to get stuck to them, for a start, and it's also very easy to throw them away accidentally. Instead, use the case provided by your orthodontist.

How much does it cost to replace an Essix retainer?

The new replacement Essix retainer cost will be similar to the cost of your original Essix retainer, which could be anywhere between $50 and $200, depending on your dentist and your insurance.

How long does an Essix retainer last?

Essix retainers can usually last about three years before needing replacement. If your Essix retainer breaks, it's important to purchase a new one so your teeth don't move back to their original position.