Just a Technicality

http://www.gacstraightnclear.com/techfiles.html

Lots of info there regarding clear plastic type appliances & retainers. The "Precautions" page is worth reading for sure - it explains the demineralization & open bite issues we all should be made aware of.

Have been wondering what to do exactly with all my old trays now - sort of a crutch I can't seem to bring myself to part with - yet.

Of course I will eventually.

Retainers in Place Pics

It's only been 24 hours I've been wearing these babies & they feel great - don't look too bad, either.











The fact that they're trimmed so well following the tooth shapes exactly without going over onto the gumline makes them quite comfortable. Have come across many pics of the Essix type that appear to be trimmed straight across or even go up over the gumline, flaring outwards somewhat. Others are trimmed to cover partially inside the mouth & I can't see those being as easy to wear, either. Take a look at these Essix types:











Look closely at how this next one is trimmed to only cover about half of the front tooth surfaces:










Not a good look - & likely not as effective, either. So, Invisalign Retainers (& well done Essix type) have distinct advantages in appearance without wires - those Hawley's look like torture devices to me - as well as being much easier to brush/floss than permanent wires. There's no foods to avoid either because of that. Nothing new to get used to for us Invisalign wearers - it's just the same as your regular trays that you've gotten so used to wearing you sometimes forget they're in!

Since they are removable - & need to be when eating/cleaning, one disadvantage over permanent ones is that you could lose or break them, just as it was with your regular trays. Nice to have your last set as a backup though, until a replacment can be obtained. Once again, compliance to your clinician's wear schedule could be a downside for some - with permanent wires you don't get a choice, so you don't have that difficulty.

I just realized an added bonus: Revenue Canada allows me to claim my orthodontics as a medical expense. Without private insurance anymore, that'll really help.