Metal Mouth Message Board

I am not happy! I have been waiting 7 weeks for my refinements. The clin check has come back and my ortho has now approved it. Basically I have to have 5 more aligners and 3 over corrections which I may or may not need. And quote "quite a bit more IPR" But the bit that made me almost burst into tears was the fact I will need 3 attachments. If any of you guys have attachments, you will know what I mean. I can't bear them and was so happy to have them off.

What I don't understand is why I need them for refinements. My teeth are perfectly straight, It's just that I developed black triangles. I was under the impression attachments are used to assist teeth in moving if the tooth is in an awkward position. I was informed it's highly unusal to have attachments on refinements.

I have spent the past 7 weeks wearing this aligner with bubbles in it, where the original attachments were, but have been removing it for nights out etc as my teeth look great, all but this (quite large) black triangle.

After my ortho told me I needed attachments I even thought about just leaving them as they are, that's how much I don't want the attachments. I thought I was alomost done! But I know that's just stupid as I've paid nearly £5,000 for these teeth, so I want them to be perfect. I just don't want the attachments! I have 7 originally and even one is one too many.

Rant over. Thanks for listening

Sorry to hear about getting more attachments. But, if you've been with them already, a little longer shouldn't hurt, should it? Are you getting them in more noticeable places this time?

Perhaps they are needed to help rotate teeth to help get rid of the black triangles.....

What did your ortho say they were necessary for? Did you ask him if you could get the refinements without the buttons?(I have heard of some orthodontists/dentists not including the attachments on the regular treatment when a client complained(don't think that is a good idea though...))

I hope it's not too bad for you. Remember 3 is a lot better than 7 and a lot better than the poor souls who have to have them on every tooth.

After whining to my ortho how I REALLY didn't want attachments, she explained a little more about why I need them. The attachments are not required for eliminating the black triangles, it's because my bite is off. I have a gap when I bite on the right side. From the front, everything looks great. She said I could go ahead without attachments, but there is a chance the bite won't be as perfect as she would like if I don't have them. I explained I wasn't bothered about the bite and that I'm more of a asthetically pleasing kinda girl, rather than practical and I didn't care about the bite. It's been off all my life!

She explained I would only have one attachment on the canine on top and two on the bottom. She said the bite may not bother me now but may in years to come. After enduring 4 on top and 3 on the bottom previous, I thought ok you're right. It's not too bad, it's 5 - 8 weeks max. So I'm going for it.

Man I hate those attachments! I've had 7 weeks of bliss!

Will keep you posted!

I don't understand why you hate the attachments so much. I have 7 of them and don't think they are that bad. Do you show a lot of teeth when you smile and they are visible?

I know how you feel - I had more attachments during my 4 months of refinement than during my whole 3 years of treatment...my suggestion would be to stick it out until the end - you'll be so happy you did - and who knows maybe your ortho cuts you refinement treatment short like mine did, hang it there, soon enough you'll be through and you'll be sharing you beautiful smile and success story with everyone else here!

John37, I have the WIDEST smile ever. Nearly every tooth shows when I smile, all but the last tooth on each arch! I just don't like them and think they are noticeable. I had 7 originally too.

I am going to hang in there and know that in 8 weeks max I will done. A few days off one year of treatment. And considering I was a moderate to severe case, that can't be too bad can it?!

I envy your WIDE smile. I'm sure once you are done with everything it will look great. My teeth don't show that much when I smile. I have to make a big effort to move my lips enough to show a lot of teeth. I wish I naturally showed a little more. So hang in there and look on the bright side...how great your new smile will be!