Metal Mouth Message Board

I have a question. I just got my first tray 3 days ago and there's a big difference between the top aligner and the bottom in terms of discomfort and removing and putting back on.

My bottom aligners slip right on and off with no effort and so, therefore there is no discomfort or pain at all. If it wasn't for the plastic I keep cutting my tongue on, I wouldn't even know I had an aligner on.

However, my top aligner takes me a minute or two to pull off and it's painful, especially to put back in and there is a an intense throbbing pain for about 20 minutes afterwards. I wouldn't really think much of it only I feel like its weird that there's such a difference between the two.

Also, I'm worrying that if I have this much difficulty getting the top aligners off now, how am I suppose to get them off on my 3rd set when I have 5 attachments on the top.

I guess my question is, is there anyone else that has had similar experience?

Do you more upper teeth moving than on the bottom? If you only have a couple teeth moving then the aligner would be easier to get on. Other than that, check the numbers printed on the aligners to make sure they are both #1. They should say "U 01" and "L 01" for upper and lower.

See if your ortho has any plastic hooks to help you remove the aligners. I find my hook very useful especially with all the attachments I have and without long & thick fingernails. If you r ortho doesn't have a hook for you, I think there are places on the Internet to order them.

Hiya

Each tray is different with me aswell.
My bottom teeth have to move more before they address my top teeth so you would think the bottom one would be more painfull but no.

I have 11 attatchments at the mo and getting a few more in a couple of weeks. I would definately recomment a hook, my dentist gave me a little metal one as there is no way I could get my top tray out without it.

I'm only on my 3rd tray and each one has had a bit of plastic stuck out one side or has cracked/ripped.

My ortho does'nt seem concerned and he does seem to be quite good.

Good luck.