Inman aligners

[Sherral]

Sherral, what retainer option did you go for?

Hi Buzz!

I still haven't decided. I think that the fact that my teeth are no longer straight has made me think that I wont be fitted for my retainer during my next appointment. I am however edging toward the one you wear at night but I have no idea what it looks like or how big it is.

Im still wearing my brace around 22 hours a day but only notices minimal movement in a week. Definitely not straight anymore

Sx

[Buzz31]

Been back today for my check-up. I had more filing done as all the contact points had closed up (good thing). He took another set of pictures to plot the progress. I think I have 6 or so weeks left with the Inman and then I will move onto a couple of clears.

He did break the devastating news that the spring will be added to mine at the next appointment and has warned that speech will deteriorate quite a bit – this was not the news I was hoping for

I’m currently on week 10 of having the aligner…

[sazzler61]

Hi
Just reading peoples' posts- what is this extra spring people have had added? Is it just the one that presses on the back of the front teeth? I thought this was standard on inman (and already have one- yes speech wasnt great at start but now much better, tho not perfect!). Now am unsure if there is another spring that can be added too?
Thanks

[Buzz31]

Sazzler61, i think its what you all ready have... don't worry! i could not have that bit on to start with.

[nicesmile77]

Firstly, thanks to everyone who has posted on this forum, the info has been really helpful especially because there does'nt seem to be a huge amount of info out there.

irishbrace can you tell me how much it cost at the Sutton Dental Practice. I contacted another cosmetic dentist who quoted €1500 per arch.

I spoke with my dentist about it last week and he had never heard of it . He spoke with his father who is an ortodontist and he said that it can work on only 10% of ortho cases so he advies me to go in with a very open mind especially because my front tooth is rotated about 15 degrees.....has anyone else had inman aligners which has been able to treat rotation?

[isobelleo]

Jules and Buzz, thank you so much for the kind words. =)

Well, I entered the surgery with my knees knocking and was taken aside by a very lovely treatment coordinator/nurse who basically held my hand and talked it all over with me. Then into the treatment room... all a bit of a blur, but I managed to have the impressions taken without gagging, which was kind of amazing for me! The bad news is that after 13 years of avoiding the dentist, I have about 4 fillings needed in the bottom arch (never had any, so I'm fairly quivering with trepidation over that) but the good news is that the top arch is sound and we're all set to go with Inman! Getting it fitted on Feb 19th.

I think you two were right, it's given me something to focus on, and I haven't been half as maudlin this week. I can get out of bed and get through the day without liquidising. Fab! =)

Not sure how much Inman will be able to do for me, I have an 11mm overjet on my front two teeth, 6mm overjet on the two teeth on either side, and the dentist said his aim is just to bring the two front teeth into that 6mm line. I guess they'll still be kinda wonky, but it'll definitely be an improvement. Maybe I should have asked if he'd do more with Inman? Who knows.

Oh, and I had a brief squeamish moment when he informed me about the IPR shaving I'd need. I asked if it would weaken the teeth in the long term and he gave me a categorical no, so I really hope he's right. I'd hate to be injuring healthy teeth just out of vanity. Got to trust the man, though, I guess!

[isobelleo]

By the way, I asked about expansion (I have a narrow top arch) and he kind of brushed that option aside, said that expansion rarely lasts as the teeth relapse or some such.

Hmm.

[karenkaza]

Nicesmile, I think it will straighten rotated teeth as long as there is enough room for it to move. One of my teeth was rotated and half trapped behind my front tooth. To bring this out, I had to get an arch expander fitted to my aligner which pushed the arch outwards gradually allowing room for the tooth to move out and back. This moved noticeably within 6 weeks, so am really chuffed.[/img]

[nicesmile77]

Thanks for this Karenkaza. I think I'll just go ahead and book the appointment and see what he has to say. I was just a bit sceptical when my dentist, who I completely trust, thought it doubtful that my tooth rotation could be helped with the inman.

[Irishbrace]

Firstly, thanks to everyone who has posted on this forum, the info has been really helpful especially because there does'nt seem to be a huge amount of info out there.

irishbrace can you tell me how much it cost at the Sutton Dental Practice. I contacted another cosmetic dentist who quoted €1500 per arch.

I spoke with my dentist about it last week and he had never heard of it . He spoke with his father who is an ortodontist and he said that it can work on only 10% of ortho cases so he advies me to go in with a very open mind especially because my front tooth is rotated about 15 degrees.....has anyone else had inman aligners which has been able to treat rotation?

Hi Nicesmile77-they are costing €1500 at the Sutton dental practice. Are you in ireland? Where are you going to get them? There are very few dentists in ireland doing these braces as I'm sure you know and TBH, it seems like the old school dentists and orthodontists might be a bit negative about it but that night because they don't know much about it but it has been in the US for a good few years now with apparently alot of success stories. I would have thought alot higher than 10%? Maybe it only works for a certain percentage of people but they should be able to tell you that before you get it anyway. Anyone I have heard who actually got it is very happy with the results.

[sazzler61]

I think that the inman 10% success quote may be because it only works on the front 4 teeth I believe, so any other teeth it is not suitable for. But I agree not many people in UK/Ire are using it so possibly are just tryin to persuade us to use their other brace types instead with this 10% thing!

Has anyone else had an arch expander? What exactly are these and are they at additional cost? I am in a similar situation where one of my teeth now seems a little trapped behing my main protruding front one, so this tooth cannot fully go back. Any one know anything about this? Thanks

[karenkaza]

Im no dentist but the arch expander costs an extra £150/250. Its required in some cases to create more room in the arch for teeth to be able to be straightened by the inman. (otherwise theres nowhere for teeth to go or to untwist to) There is a lever to turn on it to tighten every so often depending on the case. It covers the roof of your mouth but you get used to it. However only the dentist will know if this is necessary and if this will work. Hope this helps.

[nicesmile77]

Hi irishbrace, I'm in Dublin and have only approached one dental practice thus far and that is Redmond Molloy. I haven't heard anything back about them so am more inclined maybe to go with Sutton because you seem to have had a good experience with them.
I think you're right about the old school orthos and dentists although my dentist did say that it did look quite promising but again only if your suitable. His father from my understanding was the first to introduce the invisalign to Ireland and feels that these type of aligners work really successfully for 10% of cases but alot of orthos/cosmetic dentists are applying them to 30% of cases with limited success. I think my dentist just didn't want me to get my hopes up and wants me to know what I'm getting myself in for.

[ltiller]

It's been 4 days now so I think ive got through the worst of getting used to it. I am a very sensitive soul so this has been my detailed experience so far:
(Cost £1800 for top teeth - if your front 4 teeth are 1, 2, 3 & 4: My teeth 1 & 4 very behind 2 & 3)

HOW IT WORKS:
IA only suitable for moving front 4 teeth upper or lower or both.
If teeth are too crowded you will need to have an 'expander arch' for a couple of weeks first - this you 'adjust' yourself everyday by moving a link. (I didn't have this but had it demonstrated).
Proceedure goes:
1. Assessment/pricing & if you agree - Xrays & photos taken.
2. Impressions/moulds taken - This is fine, but be ready for it. You'll generally have 2 set - The first impression: can only be described as 'bathroom sealant' squidged into an impression mould & held against your teeth until it sets - this is about 4-5 mins. The second impression: the same method but with a much quicker setting & rather 'fluffier' 'bathroom sealant'.
It doesn't hurt at all & you can breathe fine.
3. A couple of weeks later you'll have your IA ready. You may have some 'filing' when it's fitted. This is OK - using mini sandpaper strips to shape the teeth. This doesn't hurt, but your gum may get 'caught' on occasion (like your skin if you have a rough manicure!). it may feel like a lot of filing is going on, but after an average 10 mins it is barely noticeable and the usual amount is only 0.5 - 1mm. Then the IA will be put in & you'll be shown how to take it in & out.

LIVING WITH THE IA
Instantly you will think "oh God! this feels bigger than it looks and I sound rediculous".
Yes speaking really seems quite bad and was my biggest shock. But after recording myself after a lot of winging to my husband, you will see you think you sound worse than you actually do.
The IA is perfectly clear along the front & clips back round your 2 front teeth. It feels a bit bulky but doesn't look it.
The first 48 hours were quite uncomfortable - getting used to the size, not talking, teeth becoming a little achey (not too much though) and cheeks sore as you get used to the metal egdes BUT, I AM getting used to it now and all the above discomfort is not so bad.
I am wearing it at work, but taking it in and out for eating or any chats that will be more than just a 1 or 2 word answer. Also once people are shown it's great engineering & how quick it alters your teeth they are quite impressed. Weraing it in the evenings is no problem as you can be more relaxed. At night it takes a little getting used to and I found putting a little cotton wool around the side where the metal meets the spring helps you not dig it into your cheek.

As the weeks progress ill say how it's all doing. But after the initial discomfort everything seems to be calming down a lot. Roll on my monthly check up & moving teeth!

I think this would suit almost anyone that can deal with a bit of discomfort for a short time but the reward of quick alighnment of the teeth!

[Sherral]

He did break the devastating news that the spring will be added to mine at the next appointment and has warned that speech will deteriorate quite a bit – this was not the news I was hoping for

Dont worry too much! You have already got used to it being in your mouth. I haven't noticed that my speech change that much since mine was taken out. You will be fine!

Why do you get clears? This has never been mentioned to me!

Sher x