When I first inserted this new upper tray, oculd I ever feel the new pressure on my upper anteriors. Took an Ibuprofen & went promptly to bed. This morning they feel quite fine as that intense pressure has subsided.
I've still not got any of that clouding or whitish film on any of my trays & am still only using toothpaste once a day (usually before bed) on my electric toothbrush to clean them. Every other time, I just use water on the brush. Can't figure out why exactly some have such a recurring problem with this.
Also - this set is again completely smooth - no rough edges - no irritating parts at all. Am I just one of the lucky ones? Or does the quality of the first dental impressions sent to Invisalign make all the difference?
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Just another link for info
This link spells out concerns/limitations/possible problems with Invisalign treatment -
good for anyone still thinking whether or not they might consider this a viable form of orthodontia.
It may sound a bit scary, but you should have informed consent before taking the leap...
pretty much every concern is covered in this article that is included in Invisalign's own consent form that will be provided by your doc should you seek treament & find you are a good candidate.
From the pages of Dr. William Trepp, Orthodontic Specialist:
http://www.orthodontics.org/consenti.html
good for anyone still thinking whether or not they might consider this a viable form of orthodontia.
It may sound a bit scary, but you should have informed consent before taking the leap...
pretty much every concern is covered in this article that is included in Invisalign's own consent form that will be provided by your doc should you seek treament & find you are a good candidate.
From the pages of Dr. William Trepp, Orthodontic Specialist:
http://www.orthodontics.org/consenti.html
Monday, March 13, 2006
Another Set - Here's to #4
Said goodbye to my third set last night; inserted my fourth set of aligners - & promptly forgot all about them.
(meaning at work today, they felt quite comfortable in place already even though they are a bit more difficult to remove than the last set)
Upon inserting the new trays, I immediately could tell which teeth felt the most intense pressure, though. I'm wondering if once the teeth have been moved minisculy, if subsequent movements happen any easier...just seems this set seems to fit more comfortably sooner than I noticed with previous ones is all.
One thing I've been meaning to mention regarding buttons:
I did read that only the "flash" should be polished off around them, but the buttons themselves should remain somewhat rough in texture or else they won't be able to "grip" their corresponding bumpouts in the aligners. Guess that's why some users experience some discomfort where they rub against the inside of their mouths when their trays are out. I don't feel any discomfort per se, but can definitely feel where they are when I remove my trays.
I can honestly feel slight spaces between my overcrowded bottom anterior teeth that were VERY difficult to floss between before - I used to have to use a seesaw motion with the floss to even get it worked down between the teeth, then with the excessive force being applied in working it between it would often slip down much too hard once it got there - usually cutting my gums as it slipped downwards. I hated that. Now, I can easily work the floss between all of my teeth. I hear soon I'll be able to park a SmartCar between some of them...
or was it a Volkswagen???
OK - I don't really believe that...
(meaning at work today, they felt quite comfortable in place already even though they are a bit more difficult to remove than the last set)
Upon inserting the new trays, I immediately could tell which teeth felt the most intense pressure, though. I'm wondering if once the teeth have been moved minisculy, if subsequent movements happen any easier...just seems this set seems to fit more comfortably sooner than I noticed with previous ones is all.
One thing I've been meaning to mention regarding buttons:
I did read that only the "flash" should be polished off around them, but the buttons themselves should remain somewhat rough in texture or else they won't be able to "grip" their corresponding bumpouts in the aligners. Guess that's why some users experience some discomfort where they rub against the inside of their mouths when their trays are out. I don't feel any discomfort per se, but can definitely feel where they are when I remove my trays.
I can honestly feel slight spaces between my overcrowded bottom anterior teeth that were VERY difficult to floss between before - I used to have to use a seesaw motion with the floss to even get it worked down between the teeth, then with the excessive force being applied in working it between it would often slip down much too hard once it got there - usually cutting my gums as it slipped downwards. I hated that. Now, I can easily work the floss between all of my teeth. I hear soon I'll be able to park a SmartCar between some of them...
or was it a Volkswagen???
OK - I don't really believe that...
Friday, March 10, 2006
About Retainers...
Spoke with the receptionist in my dental office yesterday - she's only wearing her upper tray now after about a year in treatment. She's decided to go with a permanent retainer adhered to the back of her teeth. Her reason being, she is just tired of wearing her aligners!
Hmmmm - may have to reconsider my options at treatment's end...
Something to think about between now & then, anyhoo ~
Hmmmm - may have to reconsider my options at treatment's end...
Something to think about between now & then, anyhoo ~
Thursday, March 9, 2006
6 Week Checkup
Got a thumbs up today - dentist & hygienist were both pleased with what's going on so far.
Was able to view the computer simulation again - this time watching the specific tooth movements that have taken place so far. When you watch this, it is so motivating - you just want to keep on going knowing it actually is working according to plan so far! There is good "distilization" apparently - whuh? That means my molars have shown they are moving backwards somewhat - as planned - making room for the overcrowded front incisors.
I asked about specifics in my plan: at the 19th set of trays I'll need some "IPR". That's the Interproximal Reduction or slenderizing (sanding down basically) of some tooth enamel between my most crowded lower incisors. No more buttons will be needed - just these original 5 I have had since the beginning - so, that's a relief.
Also asked about "overcorrection" & if that is included in my plan. I've read that in the majority of cases, this is often the case to allow for any "resettling" if you will, after the treatment plan is complete. Apparently, when I began my treatment, Invisalign had just changed their pricing structure somewhat to include 3 "refinements" in the plan. That means each patient is allowed 3 changes in the plan to best accommodate the tooth movement with the optimum results. So, that sounds like a bonus. New impressions may be taken to send in for the refinements.
It's very cool to compare my first set of trays with my 7th (got an extra set since we'll be on a working vacation when I'm due for my next checkup). I can see which teeth will move & by how much - I love that!
Hope everyone else who started about the same time as I did, has equally good things to report!
Was able to view the computer simulation again - this time watching the specific tooth movements that have taken place so far. When you watch this, it is so motivating - you just want to keep on going knowing it actually is working according to plan so far! There is good "distilization" apparently - whuh? That means my molars have shown they are moving backwards somewhat - as planned - making room for the overcrowded front incisors.
I asked about specifics in my plan: at the 19th set of trays I'll need some "IPR". That's the Interproximal Reduction or slenderizing (sanding down basically) of some tooth enamel between my most crowded lower incisors. No more buttons will be needed - just these original 5 I have had since the beginning - so, that's a relief.
Also asked about "overcorrection" & if that is included in my plan. I've read that in the majority of cases, this is often the case to allow for any "resettling" if you will, after the treatment plan is complete. Apparently, when I began my treatment, Invisalign had just changed their pricing structure somewhat to include 3 "refinements" in the plan. That means each patient is allowed 3 changes in the plan to best accommodate the tooth movement with the optimum results. So, that sounds like a bonus. New impressions may be taken to send in for the refinements.
It's very cool to compare my first set of trays with my 7th (got an extra set since we'll be on a working vacation when I'm due for my next checkup). I can see which teeth will move & by how much - I love that!
Hope everyone else who started about the same time as I did, has equally good things to report!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)