My Refinement IPR & New Attachment - that nearly almost wasn't...

Upon requesting the one sided sanding disc needed for my IPR, the assistant discloses to my dentist that there is none - it was not shipped due to some miscommunication. Uh oh...Looks like we'll have to reschedule. After considering her options, my dentist offers to go ahead using only the hand strips - it will take much longer but will not risk taking off tooth enamel with a 2 sided power disc where it's not needed or wanted. I was game - I really didn't want to wait any longer.

The entire process was likely much harder on my dentist than on me - I may have even fallen asleep in that sunny room if not for the "head wagging" (the more awkward hand stripping causing my head to move back & forth a bit with each pull on the strip & of course the godawful noise inside your head from the diamond grit sanding down the enamel. It was only .2 mm on either side I think, so it really wasn't much at all - just seemed to be so much more 'cause of the method. Upon close inspection, I really can't even see it at all.

Next the attachment was bonded on. I had been wearing my last set for 10 1/2 weeks and I REALLY wanted to get on with this refinement. OK - new aligners are finally in! Didn't really feel any pressure with the new uppers & only slight tightness on the new lowers.

Anyways - gingerly removed them when I got home to eat, giving special care around that new button - then - I heard a tiny cracking sound -  definitely a cracking.  What was that?!

Inspected them closely - with a magnifying glass even & no crack in sight. Don't know what exactly made that sound - maybe the new attachment - just relieved that's all it was.  So, I will be very aware of being careful in removing these uppers from now on - that new button does make it a bit more difficult. No problem replacing them, though.

Took me back to feeling a bit like it was way back when I began this whole thing - even if just for a nanosecond. That hypersensitivity - the odd feeling of the attachment against the inside of my cheek when the aligner is out. Had simply forgotten already since my original buttons were removed over 10 weeks ago.

One note - these new trays now have the Invisalign brand name printed on them & the numbers now start with U or L (case number)above "01N" - not sure what the "N" stands for. I'll just think of it as "New". The sparkling new trays look really good - my old ones were definitely beginning to get a little dingy after wearing them that long in spite of diligent cleaning. & I'm VERY happy to report there are NO rough edges - just like all my original phase trays - smooth all around. Others have reported recurring problems with that issue at the forum.

To recap: my initial treatment phase ended officially Dec. 24/06.
Due to Xmas holidays, next appt. wasn't until:
Jan. 4/07 (buttons removed & began 12 day whitening process)
Jan. 10/07 (Records/Re-evalution & new impressions made)
Feb. 12/07 (reviewed & approved new ClinCheck)
Feb. 21/07 (Refinement begun - new aligners had actually arrived at my dental office exactly 7 days after accepting the new ClinCheck). Now I can see that the actual packaging date stamped on my aligner labels was Feb. 13th - only 1 day after accepting the Clincheck online - wow!

For the record, you can see how much more noticeable that attachment is with the aligner in - it just magnifies it. Still not likely that anyone else will notice unless standing 2' in front of me & looking directly at it.













When I first saw it in the mirror it did surprise me a bit even though I've seen these rectangular shaped ones in other's pic.

I can live with it It's got a big job to do.
For those with multiple attachments on front teeth - I sympathize.
That would take some MAJOR getting used to...

Refinement ClinCheck Accepted

Saw my new & improved ClinCheck this morning after wearing this last tray set for just over 9 weeks now. It's been 4 1/2 weeks since my impressions were taken for refinements. Made an appt. for next week in hopes that my new aligners will arrive in the timely fashion that my office has been getting - usually a one week turnaround if not less after accepting the ClinChecks.

So - this is what is gonna get tweaked:

That stubborn upper right canine will get one of those lovely rectangular attachments to coax it's rotation into it's optimal place. Some IPR either side of this one to give it the space needed to allow it to turn properly, too.

Also my lower fronts from cuspid to cuspid will all get a little tightening up with a bit more turning of my canines, along with a little intrusion of some to make them line up as perfectly as they can. No attachments needed for these - bonus.

All this should be accomplished (in theory if all goes according to plan) with 4 more tray sets - meaning 8 more weeks. Which is fine by me - the rest of my uppers & molars should be well on their way to being stabilized by the time my retainers are made.

My calendar is marked for next Wednesday to have the attachment bonded on & do the IPR - & to fit my new trays.

Retentive Retention

Let's hope we can all remember the importance of our retainment phase - it very well may be THE most important part of our treatment afterall...

From: http://www.pcsortho.org/bulletin/00/bullf00new.html

"the retention phase of orthodontic treatment will frequently determine the long-term benefit patients ultimately derive from our care. Careful consideration to and execution of the retention phase of orthodontic treatment will help reduce the risk that joyful short-term success will turn into agonizing long-term failure.

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And again (may be a bit a-retentive about this, but feel this bears repeating):
the reasons why not to have acidic drinks while wearing aligners - especially during overnight. Have heard many folks say they do this on a regular basis with the emphasis of concern being the staining of their trays. Since their appearance seems fine they then assume it's okay to do so, being better than removing their trays for extended periods for every single drink. What many may not realize (maybe because they've not been clearly warned by their clinicians of the actual reason WHY) is discolouration of their trays is of minor concern complared to "demineralization" of their teeth:

http://www.oralhealthjournal.com/

"Any plastic appliance that covers some or all of the teeth is, in effect, a tray. When fluoride is placed in the appliance, the enamel becomes more resistant to decay. When bleach is placed in it, the teeth become whiter. However, when acidic foods or beverages are retained in the appliance, it becomes an acid-containing trench causing the enamel to become susceptible to demineralization. This is one of the reasons that clear plastic retainers are to be worn only at night, after brushing and flossing--to minimize the possible effects of acid-containing foods and beverages that could be retained in the appliance.

When any clear plastic appliance is used, the patient should be informed of the dental side effects of acid-containing foods and beverages when they wear these devices for long periods of time, and to flush the mouth with water immediately after drinking acid-containing beverages (soft drinks, fruit juice, cola beverages, etc.). Commercially available daily fluoride remineralization rinses are also recommended. These precautions may prevent teeth from being marred by unsightly decalcification."
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Demineralization is the loss of mineral from teeth caused by bacterial acids, acidic foods (soft drinks, juices, etc) that leads to caries. Toothbrushing abrasion can also do this.  We're often told only to drink water while wearing these aligners - so that explains it.