Inman aligners

[snt24]

Hi HannahUK - just echoing what Tigger said Re filing, it is absolutely fine and nothing to worry about! At the time, it felt like he was taking a lot off, and I was worried I would be left with half a tooth or a really big gap (!!), but when I looked in the mirror I couldn't really tell the difference at all. Good luck!!

[SeanPaul]

how much did all your IA cost and what ways are you paying? monthy? or all at once

[spat82]

Hello,

Been reading this thread with interest...I just wondered if anyone could look at some photos of my teeth to see if they are suitable for the IA.

I think my teeth are really bad, so not sure it will work. I don't want a perfect smile, i just want them made a bit better. I have bucked front top 2 teeth and problems with my canines. I also have a dead tooth that is going to get fixed, so all in all, my teeth are a mess.

Any help would be greatly appreciated..

p.s not sure how to post pics, so if I could email someone or if anyone knows of someone I could contact I dont want to waste a visit to a dentist if possible.

[hannahuk]

Hi snt24
thanks so much. i must say i do feel better now people have told me of their experiences.
to the other person who wanted someone to have a look at photos. The dentist i went to see gave a free consultation to discuss if this is possible. i think this may be usefull for you? however im not sure if all dentists do this free??

[TraceT]

Hi all

Another newbie here. I had braces as a teenager, but back in those days retainers weren't given and my front teeth are now all messed up. I've often considered veneers, but no way could I afford them. I found about the IA by accident and then stumbled across this thread. Your stories have encouraged me to find out more, and I've emailed my nearest practice for further information. Their website currently mentions free consultations, so fingers crossed it won't cost me to find out if I can have an IA or not. It's lovely to read that despite the pain, drooling, spitting and lisping you're all doing, none of you regret it. :) (I have a slight lisp on my S's already, so that should prove interesting if I get one).

I have a regular dentist who I have a Dental Plan with and I'm concerned that the IA practice will want to do work that my regular dentist should do and that this might invalidate my Dental Plan. My question though is: do any of you have a regular dentist outside of whoever is doing your IA work? Did you clear it with your own dentist first?

I have no idea if I will be able to afford this, but hey, you never know unless you try.

[Tennessee]

Tomorrow(Monday) will be 4 weeks with the IA. I am ready for it to be tightened. My teeth have moved and now there is very little pressure felt and the IA slips up on the front sometimes. It's very encouraging to see my teeth are moving.

Good luck to those just starting. And for those trying to decide, DO IT! I wish I had known about the IA years ago.

[rainymac]

I finished my inman treatment back in October and everything was fine and I was pleased with the results. However I've had a lot of problems with the bonded piece of wire the Dentist attached to the back of my front teeth to keep them in place.

I just wondered if anyone else had had the same trouble? It was the left side of the wire which wouldn't stay in place (attached to my second and third tooth) I've had it re-attched twice already, the third time it came loose I performed a bit of home dentistry and just pulled the whole strip off! (naughty I know but couldn't take it anymore!)

I feel like my teeth haven't been the same since the wire came loose the first time (only after a month of having it attached) and I don't know what to do for the best. Any advice would be great, and any questions about the inman aligner fire away! x

[TraceT]

I've booked for a consultation this Thursday lunchtime. Fingers crossed I'm an ideal 'candidate', and that I can afford it. They do 0% finance which is a bonus. At age 42, I really wish I'd known about this some years ago. :'o(

[snt24]

Just back from 2 week check up. Dentist didn't tighten it, but did a bit more filing, so I hope that will be enough to keep them moving. I have another appointment in 2 weeks so I guess I will find out then.

He also put bonding on back of teeth to keep back bar of IA in correct place, but now my tongue keep getting caught on something at the back which it didn't used to hoping I get used to this after a few days!

I have already been very impressed by the movement of my teeth, so would advise anyone thinking about it to definitely go ahead and get a consultation!

[Lea]

Hi rainymac,
That's really interesting to see what you've said about the wire at the back of your teeth - I'm due for final check next week (finally!!!) and was asked last week which I'd prefer, the wire or the plastic clear 'invisilign' style tray for at night - my dentist said that some people go for both...?!

I haven't made a decision as yet but that is something that I was worried about with the wire - think i've read someone else had that problem ages ago towards the start of this forum...

I can't seem to get my head around how it would work having both - I mean, I'm assuming that all the composite blobs will have to come off in order for them to take the mould for the clear plastic tray? Does anyone know?

In which case I'll have to wait before it is made and sent back - my teeth would slip back I just know it, even in a few hours the middle teeth gap widens without my aligner in...
So that made me think, I'll have to get the wire too, as dentist suggested getting both, so that teeth can be 'stuck' into place before having chance to slip back. But then the clear plastic tray wouldn't fit over this wire thing anyway so what's the point in having it? Unless it's as a back up for when the wire falls off, which sounds quite likely (I've lost count of the amount of times I've had to had composite blobs replaced - and worryingly I've blatantly swallowed them...)
We both really need people who've finished/close to finishing keep posting and advising on this stage please!

[earthgirl]

I'm going for my first check up this morning. I've had the IA for four weeks. I'm not really happy with the (lack of ) progress. My teeth look more crooked now than when I started. I don't think they've got much room to move so I'm hoping for some filing. I'm also going to ask if I can have 2 or 3 weekly appointments instead of 4. I'll let you know how I got on later.

[rainymac]

Hi Lea, really interesting that you were offered both!

I think my problem is my second tooth on the left side doesn't sit entirely flat due to it's shape, so when the wire was bonded on it wasn't as tight as the other side, making it loose from the start.

I would definately recommend the wire as it gives you peace of mind that your teeth are permantely held in place, and I didn't even notice it after a while (despite the blobs of bonding!) but after finishing my treatment nearly seven months ago I didn't think I'd still have to be going back and forth to the dentist!

I've actually got an invisalign style brace which I had to wear for the last two weeks of my treatment (to push my left second tooth downwards) but it wouldn't fit over the wire when it came loose. I think if you have the wire fitted then there's no need for anything else, but maybe have it as a back up just in case.

I'm going back to the dentist to see what he can do so I'll let you know. I would recommend having the wire fitted though. x

[Tennessee]

I'm thinking the clear is fitted after the wire. I think I remember some saying the dentist wanted them to wear the clear full time for a few months. So if you have the wire you wouldn't need the clear full time. However, since the wire can come loose without knowing sometimes, the clear is a backup that can be worn at night for reassurance if you have the wire.

[earthgirl]

Had my first checkup today after 4 weeks with the IA. I didn't think my teeth had moved much but I was surprised when my dentist took some more photos. Quite a significant difference! I had some more filing done, which I was glad about because they've now got more room to move. Dentist was happy with the amount of time I'm wearing the IA (16 hrs during the week and 20 hrs at weekends) and seemed really pleased with my progress. He even said that after another month I might be nearly done.

I feel much more positive now

[smiletime]

Hi Guys!

I finished my treatment today and pick up my retainer tomorrow morning!

As promised, I have attached a link of my before and after pics!

Good luck everyone! This forum was invaluable to me! If it wasn't for this, I would never have taken the plunge!



http://www.flickr.com/photos/56901263@N ... 06/detail/