Retained
I chose full-palate coverage because I’ve gone through a lot of retainers over the years — I clench hard, I eventually destroy them, and I’ve learned exactly what drives me nuts. The worst ones for me were the “horseshoe-cut” uppers. I don’t know if it’s an ADHD thing or just personal sensitivity, but that open-palate design made me miserable. Every time I ordered new ones from my orthodontist, I told them the same thing: don’t cut the palate out.
I also wanted more posterior anchorage. On past sets, the rear of the retainer would flex upward when I clenched, and that sensation was unbearable. So when I ordered these, I told the shop to take the acrylic all the way back to the wisdom-tooth area for maximum stability.
My last set was heavily chewed up from my lower teeth hitting the upper acrylic, and getting new ones through my orthodontist would have cost twice as much. So I used this chance to fix every recurring problem:
Full palate (no horseshoe cut)
Extended posterior coverage for zero rocking
Stronger, thicker bite plate to keep me from chewing through it
The bite plate on this set is thicker than anything I’ve had before. It’s actually a good thing for durability, but it makes speech adaptation tougher. The extended palate was noticeable for a day or so, but I adjusted quickly.
Wear time: I wear them basically full-time except for eating, cleaning, and the occasional social situation if I remember to take them out. I have a severe clenching habit — I’ve cracked four molars that had to be crowned and chipped the enamel on two lower teeth — so I’ve worn retainers or a bite plate most of my adult life.
As for this specific set from the shop: the build quality is outstanding, easily the best I’ve ever had. None of the wires or clasps pinch, rub, or irritate anything, which honestly surprised me given how complex the design is. The bite plate is thicker than I’d normally want, but since that’s exactly what keeps me from destroying these, I’m probably leaving it alone. I’m sure the shop could thin it if I asked, but function comes first for me.
FB
