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...
7 comments:
Looking VERY GOOD Anne!
I haven't seen a rectangular attachment on a canine tooth before. My only attachment was on an upper first premolar and it was a smaller round type. Its removed now.
I hope Align Tech is as fast delivering for my refinement as you experienced!
For reference my refinement case after new impressions and photos in the office were done was sent in Feb 8, about 2 weeks ago now.
So if they are as fast as they were for you, looks like I should expect Clinicheck after about one month, so maybe the second week of March and start the aligners a week or two after that? I sure hope so!
My upper aligner will have been used for about 5 months by Mid-March and my lower aligner for under 2 months.
BB, "Dawna" has rectangular attachments visible on hers:
www.dawnasbracefaceplace.blogspot.com/2006_07_01_archive.html
You know, I didn't realize until I got my new trays just how dingy my last trays had become - these new trays literally sparkle in comparison!
Wow - 5 months!!!! How have you managed to keep yours presentable after all this time?
I'll keep my fingers crossed for your timely tray arrival ---
Anne
Sorry BB - that link seems to have been truncated a bit - wasn't sure how much space it'd take up.
I guess you figured to add the "ml" to the end of it...
Anne - Your teeth look so great! I've been following your blog, which I discovered on the message board - so encouraging. I too have the rectangular attachments on all four canine teeth and was not thrilled at all. But, after almost seven months, the amount of rotation has been amazing. I'm sure you'll experience great results too.
I'm glad I haven't had any IPRs yet. They sound horrendous! I've just had a rectangular attachment like yours on the same tooth. My others are all the round type. Your ortho did a damn fine job matching the colour!
IPRs sound way worse they they actually are! Just close your eyes and don't watch during the procedure, thats the only "scary" part. Looks like they use a medical dremel like tool with circular attachments for sanding.
Lulu - honestly, my IPR's were nuthin'! I seriously could have fallen asleep during the last one if not for the sound of the sandpaper strip. Not horrendous in any way - not even close in my case.
My invisalign provider is my general dentist - & she does do a damn fine job!
Thanks, Amy - glad y'all stopped by!
Anne
Anne
Post a Comment