Here's a link to an enlightening discussion regarding removable vs. permanent retainers.
Lots to think about here - from experience (other folks', that is):
http://www.tertia.org/so_close/2006/04/braces_question.html
After giving the choice more consideration, I'm leaning towards the permanent camp for my lowers. These are the ones most likely (the incisors) to shift again over time for anyone. An upper permanent may not work since it will sometimes interfere with the lower teeth &/or retainer. The best way to go may be a removable upper (like Invisalign's regular trays) along with a permanent lower.
Lots of time to mull this one over...
while mulling, here's a pic I found on the net that shows 3 different sets:
At least I've got those women in my dental office to give me the benefit of their own experiences while they forge ahead of me...It's a good thing.
7 comments:
Hi! I found you through searching google for information about invisalign. I started treatment yesterday...and i was curious what you received in your starter kit? I didn't receive anything, and they didn't even give me suggestions on how to take them out. Trying to get them out before dinner last night was interesting.
Thanks!
-Sally
Hey Sally ---
My "starter kit" included a box that holds 2 aligner holder cases: one red one for keeping the set that you've just finished with + a blue coloured holder to keep your current set in while you eat. I just keep the red one in my medicine cabinet & the blue one in my purse. I only even need to use the blue one occasionally, since I prefer to keep my trays soaking in a small dish of water when I'm not wearing them at home or even at work.
If at a restaurant or having dinner at someone else's home, I'd use the blue Invisalign holder instead. The red case just keeps your previous set in case for some reason you need to go back to wearing it again - this would only happen if there was a problem with your current set if your doc advised you to do so.
There was also a copy of the "Informed Consent and Agreement for the Invisalign Patient" Form that you sign when you commit to your plan, outlining the benefits, risks & inconveniences to be aware of. Your ortho/dentist keeps this the original on file.
A few pamphlets on the Invisalign cleaning system, along with a general Invisalign brochure & a Use and Care Instructions booklet were in there, too. I keep my copy of my invoice for my payment plan all together in one Invisalign bag.
I also keep each used tray set (including the first one with the guide holes the dentist used for placing my buttons properly) in their own ziplock bag, numbered with a Sharpie. It's fun to compare each set & how the teeth positions change! Once I'm all done, I'm not sure what I'll do with them all - but I'll figure that out when the time comes.
I am surprised your doc didn't make sure you could remove/replace your aligners before you even left the office! After reading about all the problems had by some at the dentistry.com forum, I made sure I could manage it fine before I left my appt. As long as I have a small square of paper towel in to grasp my trays, I have absolutely no problem whatsoever.
In fact (on tray#10 now) the other night, I was sitting outside with hubby enjoying the evening breeze after work when he offered me some peanuts - I thought I'd just wip out my trays (being too comfortable to get up), but actually couldn't - not with my bare fingers anyways! Had to get my lazy butt up to go inside & remove them as I always do (which takes about 3 seconds as long as I have that bit of paper towel in hand). Huh.
Try that little trick - seems minor, but it makes all the difference in the world! Just gently work off the back part of the trays, one side at a time - then gradually lift each tray around towards the front - they should just pop right off...
So - welcome to the club, Sally. Feel free to ask anything that comes to mind - there are no silly questions. You'll get tons of feedback at the dentistry.com forum - that's where I got a lot of info before I even began.
Best of luck with your treatment - be sure & let us know how everything is going for you.
Anne
P.S. was wondering how my blog link came up in Google - was it through a link in the dentistry.com forum?
I would go with the permanent retainer. I had one on my bottom teeth for the year after I had my traditional braces taken off in 1989, and those teeth did not shift. My top teeth, however, DID shift (these top teeth were "held in place" with a removable retainer).
Once I am done with my OrthoClear aligners, I plan to request a permanent retainer for both top and bottom. Hope this helps.
So far with all I've read on the subject, I'm really inclined to agree with you regarding the permanent bottom. If a permanent top is an option, I'm likely to go that route as well.
OB - do you mean that you were only required to have your lower permanent retainer for 1 year? I'm under the impression that "permanent" means pretty much that...just as long as you want your teeth to stay in those positions, anyways. Teeth are dynamic, afterall & will continue to shift throughout your lifetime according to whatever forces you encounter during your aging process.
Not a fun thought, but there it is.
Thanks for the input -
appreciate it!
& BTW you have a BEAUTIFUL smile!
Soon to be even more so...
Anne
Thanks Anne!
Yes it was through the dentistry.com forum. I had to go back to the dentist since one of my buttons popped off--and they apologized for not providing me with my starter kit. It's so great to be able to read about your experiences! Especially your latest entry when you're talking about the time...The reason I opted for invisilign instead of regular braces was because I'm getting married next summer and I wanted to be able to take these off if my treatment ran over--they assured me that I'll be finished within a year, but after reading, it does seem as though they aren't informing me of all the possibilities.
Thanks again for all your info and advice!
-Sally
Well then, Congratulations Sally! Wise choice since a mouth full of metal would definitely take away from your wedding pics (& NOT smiling at all might give guests - not to mention your new husband - totally the wrong impression on your big day).
Regarding being "finished" - guess that's just a "descriptive sort of" term in the world of orthodontia...COMPLIANCE might be the word of the day we all need to keep foremost in our minds. There is an amazingly large number of folks choosing this route after having conventional braces when younger - that's a good indicator right there that we all need to realize how dedicated we'll need to be to a retainment phase...lifelong, perhaps?
It'll be worth it to me.
Anne
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