Me again- hello.
Pain? Nothing much, really, and certainly less than the tenderness I remember enduring after my teenage train tracks were tightened.
However, I must say at this early stage (has it really only been 4 days?!) there's noticable discomfort when I take out or replace the aligner. For example this morning, after it's been in for a good 12+ hours, I took it out to brush my teeth and immediately felt the teeth go "Owwww!". It's maybe counter-intuitive that the removal of the appliance caused tenderness, but that's what happens. And then putting it back in caused another twinge... You can't win! None of these was major and they only lasted a few minutes. I haven't felt the need for painkillers yet, and I'm a wimp so that should give you some idea...!
Visibility? I too had looked at the Inman website for research, and wondered which of the appliances I would need. On the day I had my impressions taken I asked my chap if the Inman lab would decide which sort of gear was necessary and he confidently said in would be the "Standard" model (as you can see on the site) and that the others are for less straightforward cases. As I think I said before, I was surprised to find that the bar in front of my teeth is clear plastic, as the website's images of the "standard" seemed to indicate a visible wire within the front bar. I have a clear piece of plastic running over my front top teeth which is connected to a metal spring a few teeth back, but in terms of what it looks like I would have to be beaming like a twat for it to be particularly obvious.
I should report my latest experience re the lisping. I really want to wear this thing as much as I can and thus have a speedy journey to straight teeth, but my self-consciousness is my enemy. Despite my cunning arrangements, I have randomly bumped into friends while I've had the thing in and have felt really embarressed by how I sound. I hadn't heard of this "Rainbow List" thing before, but inferring that it's a routine to get your tongue to overcome this device I think that might be a weekend well spent...!
And so to bed,
nx
Inman aligners
Moderator: bbsadmin
Meryaten,
I'm aware of all that. Obviously, you don't know me at all; I'm not in any hurry and it's impossible for me to do my job with anything in my mouth. I didn't post here to be lectured by anonymous strangers, but, as I stated, to answer questions anyone might have about the appliance. You don't seem to have any questions for me.
I'm aware of all that. Obviously, you don't know me at all; I'm not in any hurry and it's impossible for me to do my job with anything in my mouth. I didn't post here to be lectured by anonymous strangers, but, as I stated, to answer questions anyone might have about the appliance. You don't seem to have any questions for me.
Hi Ursa
Thanks for getting in touch. How long have you had yours for.? I'm getting mine next week and really want quick results so am planning on wearing it as much as poss but like you, my job could dictate whether I can or not although it is encouraging to hear that your slurring is improving.
When you say it hurts, is it like Nixxin who says it's when you take it out/put it in?
Finally - have you seen any movment yet and are you happy with it?
J
Thanks for getting in touch. How long have you had yours for.? I'm getting mine next week and really want quick results so am planning on wearing it as much as poss but like you, my job could dictate whether I can or not although it is encouraging to hear that your slurring is improving.
When you say it hurts, is it like Nixxin who says it's when you take it out/put it in?
Finally - have you seen any movment yet and are you happy with it?
J
Hi Jules,
I have only had it for about a week.
The slurring does improve with practice, but I kind of doubt you can ever sound "normal" with it in. S's are hit and miss. I've found ST's, TS's and CH's pretty much impossible. D's and T's come out muffled. But maybe you'll have a different experience. I have a really small mouth so maybe your tongue will have more space work with.
Yeah, it hurts when you take it out, when you put it in and for the first, well, it depends, but a while after you've taken it out. It stops hurting within a minute or two of putting it in -- unless, like me, you have a tendency to grind your teeth in your sleep in which case you may find yourself starting awake in pain upon impossible and attempted grinding.
You might wanna pre-order stuff to clean it with so you're good to go when it arrives.
I don't know that I see any movement yet, but I can feel that one of my teeth anyway has moved closer to where we're moving it. I'm going to need periodic refinements throughout the process to make space for the teeth to move into place, so my level of movement or lack thereof may not be typical of other patients.
Hope this was helpful. Kind of funny that we're all doing this at about the same time.
I have only had it for about a week.
The slurring does improve with practice, but I kind of doubt you can ever sound "normal" with it in. S's are hit and miss. I've found ST's, TS's and CH's pretty much impossible. D's and T's come out muffled. But maybe you'll have a different experience. I have a really small mouth so maybe your tongue will have more space work with.
Yeah, it hurts when you take it out, when you put it in and for the first, well, it depends, but a while after you've taken it out. It stops hurting within a minute or two of putting it in -- unless, like me, you have a tendency to grind your teeth in your sleep in which case you may find yourself starting awake in pain upon impossible and attempted grinding.
You might wanna pre-order stuff to clean it with so you're good to go when it arrives.
I don't know that I see any movement yet, but I can feel that one of my teeth anyway has moved closer to where we're moving it. I'm going to need periodic refinements throughout the process to make space for the teeth to move into place, so my level of movement or lack thereof may not be typical of other patients.
Hope this was helpful. Kind of funny that we're all doing this at about the same time.
Hi Ursa
I guess we have to expect that it will hurt, after all we are getting our teeth straightened in weeks rather than years. I have a small mouth as well so have to have an expander attached to the aligner and then tooth shaving to create more room as we go along.
I don't think I grind my teeth!!! Hopefully the fact it hurts when it gets taken out will encourage me to wear it more and maybe even lose a few pounds before my holiday as I won't be eating so much.
What are you cleaning it with - stuff from the dentist or can you buy it in the shops??
Thanks for the reply, it's good to hear from other people in the same situation, the aligners haven't been in the UK that long so there isn't much on the net from patients yet. Let me know how you get on!
Have a good weekend J
I guess we have to expect that it will hurt, after all we are getting our teeth straightened in weeks rather than years. I have a small mouth as well so have to have an expander attached to the aligner and then tooth shaving to create more room as we go along.
I don't think I grind my teeth!!! Hopefully the fact it hurts when it gets taken out will encourage me to wear it more and maybe even lose a few pounds before my holiday as I won't be eating so much.
What are you cleaning it with - stuff from the dentist or can you buy it in the shops??
Thanks for the reply, it's good to hear from other people in the same situation, the aligners haven't been in the UK that long so there isn't much on the net from patients yet. Let me know how you get on!
Have a good weekend J
Hey Jules,
Oh, then it sounds like we're in close to the same boat with our tiny mouths.
One thing I forgot to mention is that my front teeth are now too tender to bite into anything with. You may not have this problem, but I've had to adjust to using a knife and fork with foods I'd never even thought to cut up before. The upside is not having to worry if I have any food stuck in my front teeth!
I ordered Retainer Brite tablets and this strange little vibrating contraption. You just let it run for 15 minutes and it cleans the thing up. My doc said you could just use denture cleaner or brush it with toothpaste and soak it in water for an hour, but this seemed less of a hassle to me. I ordered it online, but maybe your dentist sells it at his/her office.
You have a good weekend, too.
Oh, then it sounds like we're in close to the same boat with our tiny mouths.
One thing I forgot to mention is that my front teeth are now too tender to bite into anything with. You may not have this problem, but I've had to adjust to using a knife and fork with foods I'd never even thought to cut up before. The upside is not having to worry if I have any food stuck in my front teeth!
I ordered Retainer Brite tablets and this strange little vibrating contraption. You just let it run for 15 minutes and it cleans the thing up. My doc said you could just use denture cleaner or brush it with toothpaste and soak it in water for an hour, but this seemed less of a hassle to me. I ordered it online, but maybe your dentist sells it at his/her office.
You have a good weekend, too.
I got it yesterday!!
I can feel my teeth hurting already from the pressure, esp when I take it out as Nixxin said. It doesn't look as bad as I thought, I have an Angelina Jolie pout now as my lips try to go over the top of the acrylic at the front, but it just feels huge in my mouth. I've got an expander on mine too which I have to adjust with a little key over the next few weeks.
Talking is a problem but I made myself go to the supermarket and petrol station straight away and I have said hello to 4 people at work so far and no-one has noticed. I spoke to my b/f on the phone last night and he said that although he could tell I had something in my mouth he can still understand me - so I can still nag him.
Am toying with sending an e-mail to work colleagues asking them to e-mail rather than phone for the next few days but knowing them, I'd be inundated with phone calls straight away so they can laugh at me so might just leave it...............
How is everyone else getting on??
I can feel my teeth hurting already from the pressure, esp when I take it out as Nixxin said. It doesn't look as bad as I thought, I have an Angelina Jolie pout now as my lips try to go over the top of the acrylic at the front, but it just feels huge in my mouth. I've got an expander on mine too which I have to adjust with a little key over the next few weeks.
Talking is a problem but I made myself go to the supermarket and petrol station straight away and I have said hello to 4 people at work so far and no-one has noticed. I spoke to my b/f on the phone last night and he said that although he could tell I had something in my mouth he can still understand me - so I can still nag him.
Am toying with sending an e-mail to work colleagues asking them to e-mail rather than phone for the next few days but knowing them, I'd be inundated with phone calls straight away so they can laugh at me so might just leave it...............
How is everyone else getting on??
Glad you got it, Jules. Did they give you a spare key in case you lose the original? So, are you wearing it to work then? How's the speech?
I've begun to notice visual movement, but I still feel the changes more than I see them. Also, I get worried when it doesn't hurt as much as I've become used to; the pain is sort of unpredictable at this point. I'm eager for my next refinement so we can move things along.
Nixxin! You bit into an apple?! I can barely bite a soft taco.
I've begun to notice visual movement, but I still feel the changes more than I see them. Also, I get worried when it doesn't hurt as much as I've become used to; the pain is sort of unpredictable at this point. I'm eager for my next refinement so we can move things along.
Nixxin! You bit into an apple?! I can barely bite a soft taco.
I didn't get a spare but the ortho said they would post me one if I do lose it. I only have to adjust it once a week so I'll just leave it at home, was in the aligner box but I took it out as it has holes in the bottom.
I'm at work and wearing it. The phone is a problem but I've asked everyone to e-mail me and I have only taken it out once to record my voicemail message. It's only 1030am here though.
Visual movement already is pretty good I hope I get the same as you, my next appointment is in a month as I am on holiday. I've decided to wear it all day on the beach and then take it out at night for the 4 hours.
One good thing - I've stopped snacking!
I'm at work and wearing it. The phone is a problem but I've asked everyone to e-mail me and I have only taken it out once to record my voicemail message. It's only 1030am here though.
Visual movement already is pretty good I hope I get the same as you, my next appointment is in a month as I am on holiday. I've decided to wear it all day on the beach and then take it out at night for the 4 hours.
One good thing - I've stopped snacking!
My container, probably the same one, also has holes in the bottom. I only asked about the key because I lose my flat and car keys on a regular basis and can't imagine having to keep track of anything tinier than that!
Have you had a chance to practice talking on your own?
Yeah, it seemed to happen overnight. Or not. I guess. I mean, it's hard to see a change when you're in the midst of something. But there's been noticeable movement over the weekend. And the edges which were shaved down to create space are now as tight as they were before the refinements when I floss. So, I guess we're on track.
Have a great time at the beach. I'm jealous.
Oddly, I've been eating more since I got it. My appetite has increased. Maybe it's just my body deciding it needs more fuel to cope with what's basically a very slow surgery.
Anyway, hang in there.
Have you had a chance to practice talking on your own?
Yeah, it seemed to happen overnight. Or not. I guess. I mean, it's hard to see a change when you're in the midst of something. But there's been noticeable movement over the weekend. And the edges which were shaved down to create space are now as tight as they were before the refinements when I floss. So, I guess we're on track.
Have a great time at the beach. I'm jealous.
Oddly, I've been eating more since I got it. My appetite has increased. Maybe it's just my body deciding it needs more fuel to cope with what's basically a very slow surgery.
Anyway, hang in there.
I just can't be bothered to take the thing out, that's the only time it really hurts. I'll have that bikini body yet!
Apparantly a paperclip does the job if I lose the key - not saying that would get you into your flat but worth remembering.
I was reciting the rainbow passage last night on my own - luckily my b/f was working nights as I felt an idiot but I have to get over this and quick as it's so frustrating not being able to talk clearly.
Apparantly a paperclip does the job if I lose the key - not saying that would get you into your flat but worth remembering.
I was reciting the rainbow passage last night on my own - luckily my b/f was working nights as I felt an idiot but I have to get over this and quick as it's so frustrating not being able to talk clearly.