Inman aligners

[Kadi]

My top teeth were crowded at the front and jumped at the chance when I saw a Groupon voucher for the Inman aligner at the cost of £695 (with an extra £100 for composite stops and a further £100 (plastic)-£150 (permanent) for the retainer at the end of the treatment).
I picked up my Inman aligner yesterday at 5pm and when I woke up this morning at 7am, my teeth were UNBELIEABLY straighter. My dentist said he thought my teeth would move really really quickly, but I never thought it'd be this quick!!!
I was wearing an expander appliance for 12 weeks before this which made lots of gaps between my front 6 teeth. These gaps have pretty much disappeared over night!!!!!! Basically, if I was to stop wearing the aligner today, I would be happy with the appearance of my teeth - I can’t wait to see the final result in up to 8 weeks.
On the down side, the pain is EXCRUCIATING when taking the aligner out and putting it back in my mouth. However, the pain only lasts about a minute. There isn't much pain when the aligner is settled in my mouth, just a lot of pressure. It hurts to bite in to even the softest of foods, but its WELL worth it and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to straighten their front teeth.
I'm experiencing little, if not no problems with my speech but think this may be because I wore an expander appliance before the Inman aligner, so I’m used to having something in the roof of my mouth.
As with other posts, I agree that my top lip doesn't quite know where to comfortably sit on the front of the aligner, but I’m sure that'll get better the longer I wear it. Despite my boyfriend and work colleagues telling me the opposite, I think that I look like I’ve got duck lips as my top lip now sticks out. Hey ho, it's worth it.

I'M A HAPPY HAPPY KADI :-) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TraceT]

I got my last (fingers crossed) clear aligner today. This is in now until I go back on 14th November. I'll be ordering my whitening gel then. I think I'm going to go for the removable retainer so will have moulds taken for that and for the whitening gel. Once my teeth are white I'll have a composite filling on one of my front teeth to make it the same length as the one next to it, and then I think I'll be done!

The whitening gel is kept on offer for IA clients, so I get that really cheap. I don't know if I have to pay any extra for my clear aligners. I know that I got two free as part of the deal, but this is number 5 out of 5 that were made for me. (The third one didn't fit so I had to have another set of moulds taken).

If in the future I decide to have my gaps filled in with composite I'll go to my normal dentist for that as I get 20% discount on fillings with her.

I will hopefully have a brighter, whiter, straighter smile for Christmas.

Whatever the outcome this has been the best £1500 (£1700 with whitener and composite filling) I've ever spent and would highly recommend it to anyone.

[Hatemyteeth]

I'm now on 20 weeks with the top aligner and my teeth are unbelievably straighter. However I still hate my pointy teeth so I hope the dentist can do something to make them look better.

[Crookedteeth88]

Hi,

I just got my IA 2 days ago, worn it for +20 hours a day but havent seen any change yet. I've never worn braces before. Just wondering if it will work then. I see someone has posted that they have worn it for months but not seen any change. Does someone who hasnt had braces before but used the IA minimum 20 hours a day had quick change?

Hope to get a reply!

[Crookedteeth88]

[quote="style1983"]Anyone ever consider trying to get a refund? My teeth have not moved much at all in 3 months. After about the first 2 weeks, the movement has been minimal. Some slight improvement, but the rotations have not improved at all. I am convinced the inman is incapable to moving rotations, at least in the specified time it was supposed to take.[/quote]

Wondering how ur treatment is going?

[tennesseeditto]

Hi,

I just got my IA 2 days ago, worn it for +20 hours a day but havent seen any change yet. I've never worn braces before. Just wondering if it will work then. I see someone has posted that they have worn it for months but not seen any change. Does someone who hasnt had braces before but used the IA minimum 20 hours a day had quick change?

Hope to get a reply!

Kadi's 12 hour success story has to be the result of wearing arch expanders prior to inserting in the IAs.

Go read my posts. I've never worn braces and today is Day 23. I take pictures every 7 days so I can see the changes and they are substantial.

They are not there yet but hey, my dentist said not to expect any movement the first month while the expanders were doing their job.

Don't get discouraged after only two days. Take pictures. Let the IAs and expanders do their work. As long as you feel pressure on your teeth they ARE working. Let us know when you notice a change.

I am excited for each and everyone of us who are finally going to have straighter teeth! Go IAs!

[tennesseeditto]

Anyone ever consider trying to get a refund? My teeth have not moved much at all in 3 months. After about the first 2 weeks, the movement has been minimal. Some slight improvement, but the rotations have not improved at all. I am convinced the inman is incapable to moving rotations, at least in the specified time it was supposed to take.

Wondering how ur treatment is going?

You won't be getting any refunds so go talk to your dentist and try to find out why they are not moving.

Do you wear them 20 to 22 hours a day?
Do you have arch expanders attached to the IAs?
Have you taken pictures each week so you can compare them?
Do you feel pressure on your teeth when you wear them?

Those are just a few questions that came to mind when I read your post.

Go read my posts and everyone else who has IAs (insert "Inman Alinger" and then just "IA" into the search feature at the top of this web page); print out the posts, and then go talk to your dentist with honey coated words. I wish you the best.

[Crookedteeth88]

[quote="tennesseeditto"][quote="Crookedteeth88"]Hi,

I just got my IA 2 days ago, worn it for +20 hours a day but havent seen any change yet. I've never worn braces before. Just wondering if it will work then. I see someone has posted that they have worn it for months but not seen any change. Does someone who hasnt had braces before but used the IA minimum 20 hours a day had quick change?

Hope to get a reply![/quote]

Kadi's 12 hour success story has to be the result of wearing arch expanders prior to inserting in the IAs.

Go read my posts. I've never worn braces and today is Day 23. I take pictures every 7 days so I can see the changes and they are substantial.

They are not there yet but hey, my dentist said not to expect any movement the first month while the expanders were doing their job.

Don't get discouraged after only two days. Take pictures. Let the IAs and expanders do their work. As long as you feel pressure on your teeth they ARE working. Let us know when you notice a change.

I am excited for each and everyone of us who are finally going to have straighter teeth! Go IAs![/quote]


Hi Tenenesseditto,

Thanks for your answer. I'll try to be patient. But I look at cases online of case studies. And they show pictures of great cases where the result is good. But what annoys me is that some places it says that the IA cannot rotate teeth. But in most of the cases with pictures online the teeth has been rotated. So I am kinda sceptic to it all, and wished I hadnt paid money for it. Cuz my teeth are not that bad. And also I am worried about the gaps that are gonna take place, and if I would need bonding and such.. Kinda freaked out at the moment. I hope I dont regret this;;

[tennesseeditto]

...

Hi Tenenesseditto,

Thanks for your answer. I'll try to be patient. But I look at cases online of case studies. And they show pictures of great cases where the result is good. But what annoys me is that some places it says that the IA cannot rotate teeth. But in most of the cases with pictures online the teeth has been rotated. So I am kinda sceptic to it all, and wished I hadnt paid money for it. Cuz my teeth are not that bad. And also I am worried about the gaps that are gonna take place, and if I would need bonding and such.. Kinda freaked out at the moment. I hope I dont regret this;;

Good morning Crookedteeth88!

I think everyone is a little freaked out the first few days or even the first few weeks until they see the teeth moving. It's natural-you may have excruciating pain like I did until my dentist made some adjustments; you have this HUGE contraption in your mouth that really makes your mouth look funny (or at least I thought so at first); AND then you think of the money you shelled out. That is when you say to yourself, "WHAT HAVE I DONE?!" I know because I went through that same process. Then I thought about it realistically--I have wanted straight teeth for over 50 years. The technology is now available at a price that won't break the bank and the time frame is such I am willing to endure.

Do you have arch expanders attached to your IAs? I really think that is what started moving my teeth in the second week, plus a little filing (very little) my dentist did on Day 1. Hey, those crooked teeth have to have room to straighten out.

How long did your dentist say it would take for your treatment plan?

By the way, my dentist cautioned me about the IA may not be able to rotate that tooth too. That's why he said he would fit me with a special retainer at the end of 8 weeks if it was necessary at no extra cost. He also said I wouldn't see any movement for a month as the arch retainers had to make room for the teeth.

So we were both pleasantly surprised to see real change so soon. Not in 12 hours but it might have been that qucikly had I had the arch expanders first. Actually, I am glad it's all combined so the process will be done and over in 8 eight.

Here's a thought: the IAs do not rotate teeth--not by themselves. It takes the arch expanders to make room for the tooth to move into place with the IA pushing it into place. Semanics--this all may be semanics.

Here's another question: so what if you need a composite to fill in a space? Will your smile look better? It's much better, in my opinion, than having one's teeth ground down for veneers.

Chill, count the days, and examine your teeth every night like I do. And don't forget to keep us all informed on your progress! Go newbie, go!

I love this new technology!

[Crookedteeth88]

Hi TDitto!

Thanks for cheering me up:)
Yeah it has a arch expander which I need to expand with a key every week. He said treatment time would be 16 weeks.. So a lot to go. But ur completely right, the technology is here and also the price is good. I havent asked about any retainers, but pretty nice of ur dentist to give you one without extra cost. Maybe I should ask mine as well. Because I was fustrated to read someone had to get clear braces afterwards. And I know those are pretty expencive, I wouldnt mind having retainers on at night for the rest of my life to prevent the teeth from moving back.
And yeah he did a little filing on my teeth the first day. But not anything I saw noticable.

Wish my good luck, cross ur fingers for me. And I'll keep you all updated and take photos:)

[tennesseeditto]

Hi TDitto!

Thanks for cheering me up:)
Yeah it has a arch expander which I need to expand with a key every week. He said treatment time would be 16 weeks.. So a lot to go. But ur completely right, the technology is here and also the price is good. I havent asked about any retainers, but pretty nice of ur dentist to give you one without extra cost. Maybe I should ask mine as well. Because I was fustrated to read someone had to get clear braces afterwards. And I know those are pretty expencive, I wouldnt mind having retainers on at night for the rest of my life to prevent the teeth from moving back.
And yeah he did a little filing on my teeth the first day. But not anything I saw noticable.

Wish my good luck, cross ur fingers for me. And I'll keep you all updated and take photos:)

Glad I could encourage you!

I have decided to go with fixed retainers attached behind my teeth. I'll have to learn to use
a floss threader but I don't care.

We'll both day straight teeth in a matter of weeks not years. Hurrah!

[earthgirl]

Hi, can I ask everyone what position your front bar is in on your teeth, high near the gums, low near the biting edge of your teeth, or somewhere in the middle?

I'm asking because mine moves about a bit. I have a composite on the top of my right incisor to stop it slipping up too high, but when I move it towards the biting edge I feel much more pressure.

I will ask my dentist at my next appointment, but I don't have much confidence in my dentist right now, I'm 5 months in, and progress has been slow. He seems to think I am almost finished, but to me, my teeth are far from straight.

Thanks

I do not have any composites on my teeth and my upper one moves from time to time. I simply move it back in place to where I feel the pressure back on my teeth. Do you have arch expanders? Did you take any pictures so you could check the progress yourself? Did he do any filing to allow for movement? Sorry for all the questions but 5 months seems like a long time to me. But, hey, what do I know? This is my first experience with the appliances and I've never had braces so I'll repeat myself here: what do I know?

No arch expander, yes filing every 2 weeks, I've taken loads of photos and the improvement is only minimal. It's now been 6 months and my dentist has all but admitted that the IA is not working for me. He has sent some new impressions back to the lab, so I go back in 2 weeks to see what alternatives they will come up with. He thinks it could be clear aligners or maybe another IA. Will let you know. The IA has not been what I hoped it would be.

[Crookedteeth88]

[quote="earthgirl"][quote="tennesseeditto"][quote="earthgirl"]Hi, can I ask everyone what position your front bar is in on your teeth, high near the gums, low near the biting edge of your teeth, or somewhere in the middle?

I'm asking because mine moves about a bit. I have a composite on the top of my right incisor to stop it slipping up too high, but when I move it towards the biting edge I feel much more pressure.

I will ask my dentist at my next appointment, but I don't have much confidence in my dentist right now, I'm 5 months in, and progress has been slow. He seems to think I am almost finished, but to me, my teeth are far from straight.

Thanks[/quote]


I do not have any composites on my teeth and my upper one moves from time to time. I simply move it back in place to where I feel the pressure back on my teeth. Do you have arch expanders? Did you take any pictures so you could check the progress yourself? Did he do any filing to allow for movement? Sorry for all the questions but 5 months seems like a long time to me. But, hey, what do I know? This is my first experience with the appliances and I've never had braces so I'll repeat myself here: what do I know? :)[/quote]

No arch expander, yes filing every 2 weeks, I've taken loads of photos and the improvement is only minimal. It's now been 6 months and my dentist has all but admitted that the IA is not working for me. He has sent some new impressions back to the lab, so I go back in 2 weeks to see what alternatives they will come up with. He thinks it could be clear aligners or maybe another IA. Will let you know. The IA has not been what I hoped it would be. :-([/quote]

Ohh that sucks, maybe becuz you dont have a arch expander? And I put the bar as close to the edge as possible. Where the pressure is highest. I've never worn braces.. So I hope this works! I'm on day nr 5 and can't see any movement of the front teeth, only gaps made bigger to the teeth on the sides. On friday I turn the key for the arch expander.

[tennesseeditto]

Dear Crookedteeth88,

I am sorry to read your report. Perhaps when you return to your dentist the new product will include arch expanders.

I am not a dentist, however--for me--it makes sense to me the arch expanders are needed to make room for my teeth. They didn't come in straight on the bottom because I have a small mouth while on the top they are slightly 'bucked' teeth, with one rotated, on top because I sucked my fingers as a small child.

Now that the arch expanders are making room for my teeth and the IAs keep constant pressure on them to move they are straighter.

Whenever I feel my IA moving up or down, I readjust it to put that pressure back on the teeth.

I truly pray your dentist can help move this process along for you. Keep us posted, okay?

[Crookedteeth88]

Hi Tennesseeditto!

I do have a arch expander in mine. I assume you wrote that for earthgirl. But some questions to you Tennesseeditto:
1. How old are you, if I may ask (do not need to answer if you dont want to)
2. You have never worn braces before?
3. How long do you wear the IA each day?
4. Have you seen any changes?
5. If so, could you post some pictures?

Haha, I'm getting a little impatient. No change in 5 days! Or maybe it is to small to be noticable. Looking foward to my next appointment to see if he thinks my teeth has moved.

Good luck girls!