Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi All,

I got my aligners less than 3 weeks after my molds. Woohoo! I will have 22U/L. I am almost ready to switch to my 2nd aligners and have a few questions:

1. Your thoughts on Efferdent or denture cleaner on the aligners? I have not come across any negative info from users, but the Invisalign info I got says not to use it. Has anyone had damage done to their aligners?

2. Same question as #1, but concerning a Listerine Soak?

3. I am suppose to switch to my 2nd aligners in 3 days, but wonder on the effects of switching a little early. I only ask because the aligners I have on now are SO loose. And If I switch them in 1 day it will correspond to my days off work and allow me a few days of soreness and lisping in the comfot of my home My Ortho is unavailable on a conference or I would call for "permission". Thoughts? Experiences switching early?

4. When I received my aligners there were spaces for 3 upper buttons and 5 lower buttons. My Ortho said we will see how my teeth shift before deciding to attach some/ if any of the buttons. By no means do I want the buttons, but if my treatment includes them shouldn't I get them? I have all faith in my Ortho, but he does not want to see me until after my 3rd set. It seems like a long time to see how my teeth are shifting without buttons. Anyone else not have attachments that were suppose to originally?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts

Thanks All!!!!

1&2 I don't know about

3. I am on 14 of 28 and have switched a day early a few times and 2 days early maybe once. I figured it couldn't make too much difference as long as I am wearing most sets the full 2 weeks. I do this if I switch trays on say a Thursday, then have the next appointment 4 weeks later on a Tuesday.

4. I don't know why he wouldn't put the buttons on since the aligners have the bubble there anyway and they are all already made, so it's not like it will be less visible by not having them. It would only make it a little more difficult to put the aligners on and take them off.

I would also think he should want to put them on on the first set that needs them because they usually get an aligner to place the attachments precisely where they are supposed to be. I mean if it turns out they are not moving correctly, then how will he position the attachments in the right place? But remember I'm just a patient so if he's done this before I guess he knows what he is doing.

I have 7 attachments and 1 that he didn't put on because it was supposed to be on the side of a 2nd premolar that was turned slightly to face the 1st molar. So he said he wouldn't be able to put it on. He said it wouldn't matter on that tooth.

Good luck with it.

1. Efferdent is fine. I've had my trays over a year and use it regularly. My ortho also told me I could use it. Invisalign just says that because they want you to buy the Invisalign cleaning systems.

2. I've never done Listerine soaks; it's seemed unnecessary when using the Efferdent, and also like it might be corrosive. If you really wanted, you could buy the Listerine "flavored" Efferdent. It's in a green box. Personally, I've never noticed my trays coming out any mintier than they do with the regular Efferdent.

With regards to changing your tray early, my ortho reduced my wear from 14 days to 11. The offical guidelines of Invisalign recommend 220 hours per aligner. Therefore, if you have stuck to 22 hours per day, you will have 4 days of "wasted time" I have switched to 11 days from aligner 6 and am now on 16. So far my teeth are in the exact same postion as my clin check