Inman aligners

[Tennessee]

Glad I found this site. I am planning to see the dentist about the IA within the next couple of weeks. So ready to have straight teeth again but nervous about it.

Is there anyone here from the US? If so what did your treatment cost?

[LilPickle]

I'm finding all the different advice about wearing times a bit confusing! I'm wearing mine as much as I can but that does vary depending on the day and what i'm doing. Its probably around 20 hours though i would think. I'm going back to the dentist in a week for my first check up so will just see what he says about how much they've moved.

I'm about a week and a half in and whilst I dont really get any pain now on taking it out and putting it in again, my front teeth are still a little too sore to bite things. Trying to eat a sandwich is fun! Good job i like soup!!

I've been lucky that it isnt making my mouth sore anywhere or cutting into my gums like some people seem to be finding. My tongue does get a little sore but mainly because i dont really know where to rest it in my mouth.

All fine so far. Wanting to see some movement but no real difference yet!!

[Tennessee]

Well I just got my hopes crushed. My two front teeth on top, has one that is pushed back and the other is slightly forward. He told me he could get the one to move forward but said it doesn't do well pushing back. Suggested brackets and I just do not want to go that route again. I know I've seen online where the IA has pushed teeth back. I am going to try a different place but that was the closest to me.

Does anyone have similar circumstances to me? How have your results been?

[JackDaniels]

Hi Lilpickle - to be honest, my front teeth are still a little bit tender when it comes to eating and that's 8 weeks in now! I always eat everything with a knife and fork. I wouldn't like to chomp into a burger or big sandwich! I also constantly checked for movement! Don't worry, your teeth will move, but because you see your them every day, you won't notice as much.

Tennessee - I have one front upper tooth that sticks out and it has come back lots. I'm not quite finished yet but not far off now. So it does work pushing teeth back. However, your case may be a bit different of course. It's worth going for another consultation with another dentist but I would only go ahead with it if he is 100% sure it will work for you.

I'm back at the dentist for another check up tomorrow!!

How is everyone else getting on?

[Tennessee]

I guess the one front needs to rotate slightly (maybe a mm) where it will meet with the tooth that needs to move forward. I read where some of you said the Dr. was going to give you clear aligners at the end to finish the rotation. At least now I can know what to ask for.This forum has been a great help. I'm going to find more dentists that offer and try again. I think it is an uncommon treatment here so I am going to have to work harder to find a dentist that has experience with using it.

[Dominie]

Hi people! Just got back from an unscheduled appointment – I asked to see my dentist because I thought he needed to make more space even though he thought they’d move into place. I was right; they’d stopped moving because they’d run out of space. He filed them quite a lot, and said to give it another 2 weeks. So fingers crossed I don’t need any more filing done! As long as they don't run out of space again, I should be done in 2 weeks.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: if you think something is wrong, trust your instincts; make an appointment and ask about it. You’re paying for it! JackDaniels – if you think they’ve stopped moving, they probably have – go and get it checked out!

@Tipps and dreamer, it sounds like both your dentists aren’t really on the ball! Tipps, love the photos. Re the longer tooth, that also happened to me; but from the beginning, my dentist has said that he’ll correct those after it’s all done. In fact, I found that the front tooth that has the lowest composite blob has been pushed up into the gum – seems the pressure from the aligner’s outer bar goes upwards as well as inwards. The other front tooth (which doesn’t have composite on it) hasn’t moved, so he’ll reshape it afterwards (with a drill – scary but painless, he already did it to one other tooth).

@Tennessee – I’ve had one pushed forwards, and one pushed back and rotated. Sounds pretty similar to yours. The aligner is able to do both, but it also depends on how the rest of your teeth sit I think. Don’t give up yet – try another dentist!

[smiletime]

I am concerned now. I felt on my last visit my dentist did not do enough filing.

Now I feel in the 3 weeks nothing has moved on the left side due to lack of space.

Can any of you ladies tell me if he files them this week, after 3 weeks, if they will move quite quickly afterwards as they may have loosened?

I am scared I have lost 3 weeks due to him not listening to me.

[Dominie]

Smiletime, it's nothing to be scared about - it just means it'll take a little longer! Generally you can tell if they've stopped moving. Just ask him to make more space, and voice your concerns - he won't know your teeth like you do!

[smiletime]

I am so disappointed. If it takes longer I will be gutted.

Am getting married and thought this would all have been over by then.

I will have words with my dentist tomorrow if he admits he did not file enough the last time.

I cannot afford for him not to listen to me and make my treatment time even longer.

Grrrrrr

[LilPickle]

I took mine apart to clean it and now i'm not sure if i've put it back the right way round! I'm assuming they are all the same so can someone tell me - the bit that goes behind your teeth, when its in your mouth is it the smooth side that you can feel with your tongue? The back part of mine is smooth on one side and kinda crumply on the other (good description right ). I'm pretty sure the smooth side was what i could feel with my tongue when it was in my mouth but now i'm not sure!!

[JackDaniels]

I went to see my dentist today and he said my treatment is pretty much done! My two front teeth are not 100% in line with each other but as good as it's going to get and it is a huge improvement. He did a bit more filing too and took impression so I'm back in two weeks for a bonded retainer and then more impressions, then back the next day to get my clear essix retainer. That will sit over the bonded. He said I should also wear the essix as much as possible to start with. As I had previously mentioned, he advised only the essix to start with, full time for 6 months but I wanted the added security of the bonded as well as the essix. Plus it won't cost me any more either.

Lilpickle - I didn't know you could take it apart to be honest!! I'm not sure you should either.

[smiletime]

Congratulations JackDaniels

Have you any photos to share?

I was there for my 6 week check up today. He tightened it, put on my 3rd composite and done a bit of filing.

How much filing is normal? I feel like he should have done more as when I floss it feels so tight??!

I was a bit disappointed as he did not seem to think they moved so much in the last 3 weeks. I am thinking it was because my aligner was so loose and needed so much tightening.

Have any of you had your teeth move quicker after minimal filing?

Thanks

[Tennessee]

I'm still researching dentists. The next closest ones are 2 hours away. It will be worth the drive if I can get fitted. How often do you have to get check ups?

I spoke with one dentist that said he uses spring aligners a lot but only used the inman twice. What is the difference between the two?

[boomerang]

lilpickle, I did the same thing and it is the smooth side that you should be feeling with you tongue. Im still wearing my inman as my clear aligner wasnt ready. Cant complain as the whole process has been so quick. Also using whitening 2 hours a day which is fine but quite hard to fit around wearing the inman.

[LilPickle]

Thanks Boomerang. I tried it the other way around and it just felt wrong but i just needed to be sure!!

My teeth are much less painful now. I can almost bite but wouldnt risk it with anything too hard just yet. I go back to see my dentist for my first check up on Monday which will be two and a half weeks. Really hoping my teeth have moved. Its actually not been anywhere near as bad as i was expecting so roll on the next 14!