Got my aligners today!

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#1 Post by **djrobsd** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:39 pm

Well, they're in!! They put the wonderful bumps on my teeth... They feel so wierd, but I know I will get used to it all. I already took them out once to eat my lunch and put them back in. They were really hard to get out, but not so difficult to get back in!

I hate how when you floss you can't get that "Clean mouth" feel because of those bumps... but I guess the bumps help make the process work faster/better.

I've got a mild headache, but nothing major... I'm waiting until it becomes intolerable before taking tylenol (can't take ibuprofin, i'm alergic).. I don't want to get dependant on it if I don't have to.

I've got 29 trays. They gave me 5 of them to start out with!! WOOHOO!

#2 Post by **purpleteeth** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:43 pm

Congrats on starting your journey! Aspirin (coated) is my wonder drug for brace pain, as Advil upsets my stomach too much.

#3 Post by **Over50** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:40 pm

I am on my 9th set of aligners, and have found that the pressure or discomfort is usually only the first 3 days or so (sometimes even less-it does vary). So if you only take the over-the-counter pain relievers at those times, it really doesn't seem like that would be excessive. I usually only take 2 Advil the first evening of a new set, if at all. Also, you may want to consider putting the new trays in at night, as many on this board have suggested, as the worst pressure is over by the morning.
Good luck!

#4 Post by **Devushka** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:40 pm

Congratulations on starting Invisalign!

As others have said, you will end up getting so used to them that even the buttons won't bother you after awhhole. And hope you are one of the lucky ones like me where there is no pain(it happens!).

Keep us posted on your progress and good luck!

#5 Post by **aussie** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:47 am

im the same, no pain, just feel that it fits more snug than the prior aligner.

one thing thats pissed me off is 2 buttons have fallen off and one makes it difficult to chew properly. the way the button is i cant clench my jaw like i used to when chewing - if that makes sense.

im going back to the ortho this week to get button put back on & something done about that one in the way... trips to the ortho are so annoying & out of the way!!!

#6 Post by **John37** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:24 am

It's great to hear that you finally got them. Try to remember to check that any attachments haven't fallen off each time you take your aligners off. I've had 2 attachments fall off. If one falls off, you want to get one put back on before going to the next set.

#7 Post by **djrobsd** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:04 pm

This is a slight pain that just nags at me all day long, and by the end of the day I'm so exhausted I just want to sleep. I can't wait for it to go away, it's driving me nuts. Tylenol is the only thing i can take since I'm alergic to the others, but it doesn't work too well with keeping me from being exhausted. I'm sure it will get easier, but right now I'm really hating it.

I also hate those buttons, I feel like I've got meat trapped in my mouth all the time. Now when I do eat meat that traps in my mouth, I never know whether I got it all out when I flossed because you can never tell if it's the buttons or it's food.

I guess I'll get used to it after a while.

Removal also isn't fun, it seems to be hardest to get out in the area over the buttons, i'm afraid i'll break them off, but it seems like that's where i really need to push down with my fingernail to get the aligner out???

Next time I'm definately putting the new tray in at night, AND on a weekend so I don't have to try and work with this pain. LOL

#8 Post by **teacher61** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:37 pm

Use tweezers to remove them. I have been wearing mine 8 days now. No discomfort at all. I forget that I have them in. No one has noticed them until I tell them I have them. I can already tell where they are closing a gap just after 8 days.

#9 Post by **djrobsd** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:13 pm

teacher61 wrote:Use tweezers to remove them. I have been wearing mine 8 days now. No discomfort at all. I forget that I have them in. No one has noticed them until I tell them I have them. I can already tell where they are closing a gap just after 8 days.

Couldn't you risk damaging them if the tweezers punctured the plastic? Where do you grab onto with the tweezers?

Is it best to start with the front teeth and work your way back or get the back part loose first? When I start with the back teeth it seems to put more pressure on the front teeth making removal more painful.

Can't wait until I get used to all this. I skipped cake and ice cream today... Horray for weight losss!!!!

#10 Post by **John37** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:15 am

djrobsd wrote:I also hate those buttons, I feel like I've got meat trapped in my mouth all the time. Now when I do eat meat that traps in my mouth, I never know whether I got it all out when I flossed because you can never tell if it's the buttons or it's food. I guess I'll get used to it after a while.

I don't understand because the buttons are on the side of the teeth, clearly visible. If you have meat caught between your teeth, you would feel it between your teeth. It just seems odd that you are having a problem with this.

djrobsd wrote:Removal also isn't fun, it seems to be hardest to get out in the area over the buttons, i'm afraid i'll break them off, but it seems like that's where i really need to push down with my fingernail to get the aligner out???

Didn't they give you a plastic hook to use? I always use my hook. It's much easier to work the aligners off over the attachments. I start from the back by the molars on the outside and pull it off a little, then pull from the premolars on the inside, then I can pull the top out with my fingers. The bottom is similar, but I use the hook on the outside. It will take you a few weeks to discover the best way to slide them off.

#11 Post by **teacher61** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:45 pm

I only use one prong of the tweezers and slip it under the aligner in the very back. No damage and they pop right off. I do the same for the top aligner. I keep a tweezer, floss, toothpaste, toothbrush, and an aligner case in a sandwich bag in my car for on the go cleaning. I am a baseball mom so we are constantly ballgaming. If we get a bite to eat at night after the game I usually leave them out until we get home. That is maybe 30 minutes at the most. Any other time when I am at home I probably have them in about 23 hours 15 minutes a day. I want to make sure I get my moneys worth. No one notices them. When I tell them they say it looks better with them on.

#12 Post by **aussie** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:24 pm

djrobsd wrote: Is it best to start with the front teeth and work your way back or get the back part loose first? When I start with the back teeth it seems to put more pressure on the front teeth making removal more painful.

i have no hook, only my fingers.
my doc said start at either side (only 1 side though dont grasp both sides at once), right up the back pull them off then pull down till it all comes, its hard to explain.
i start on my right right up the back, get that end off, then gently pull further to the front untill thats off also & finally the left side (this goes for top & bottom).
they always come off with ease that way.

Metal Mouth Message Board

Got my aligners today!

Got my aligners today!

UGH!!!!!!!! These headaches are driving me up the wall

Re: UGH!!!!!!!! These headaches are driving me up the wall