Inman aligners

[tennesseeditto]

Hi Tennesseeditto!

I do have a arch expander in mine. I assume you wrote that for earthgirl. But some questions to you Tennesseeditto:
1. How old are you, if I may ask (do not need to answer if you dont want to)
2. You have never worn braces before?
3. How long do you wear the IA each day?
4. Have you seen any changes?
5. If so, could you post some pictures?

Haha, I'm getting a little impatient. No change in 5 days! Or maybe it is to small to be noticable. Looking foward to my next appointment to see if he thinks my teeth has moved.

Good luck girls!

My goodness, I DID type in the wrong name. My apologies to you, Crookedteeth88.

In response to your questions:

1. I am a young 62 years old.
2. I have never worn braces.
3. I wear the IAs between 20 to 22 hours each day, except on Sunday when I give myself a 6-hour respite as I cannot sing with them in my mouth.
4. Yes, I have seen definite movement, especially on the top where I have two front slightly "bucked" teeth with one rotating over the other, probably because I sucked my fingers as a small child. One of my front teeth is now perfectly straight while the rotated one is moving off the "straight" one. There is now a slight gap on the top between them that has not been there since I was a child. It IS working--hurrah!

The bottom teeth are crooked because I simply have a small mouth, hence the reason for the arch expanders. One of the four in front is also straight and the other three are moving but not as rapidly. But hey, it's been only 27 days so I am quite pleased with the progress.

I return to my dentist tomorrow for new mouth molds and evaluation.

5. Regarding the pics, I do take them every 7 days and will post them as soon as I can crop them.

By the way, I didn't see any change for the first 10 days.

Be patient and it will work.

[tennesseeditto]

Here is my update at 4 weeks into the Inman Aligners:
My dentist is almost as pleased as I am with the results thus far. Took molds again today and he made me a "clear aligner."

I picked it up this morning and will wear it for 22 hr/d to move the rotated teeth to be straight! I can take them out to eat but have to "be sure" I wear them 22 hr/d. They WILL be tight according to the dentist. after two weeks with this different appliance then ~2 more weeks of the IAs and I am supposed to be done! Thanks for all your prayers and a shoulder to cry on. They are really tight on my teeth but that means they are going to do their job and then I will have straight teeth.

Hurrah!

Hope all is well with everyone else. Let's hear how everything is going with you too.

[Crookedteeth88]

Whoa! Your treatment time is only 8 weeks! Lucky you! How much did you pay for your treatment, and the clear aligners.. Are those the Invisalign Aligners? Arent those really expencive?

I haven't seen much movement yet. But I have a lot of exams coming up and dont have time to check my teeth that often. I am wearing it 20+ hours every day for exactly 1 week now. After exam I'll take a picture and post it here and also ask my dentist if he can tighten something up. Because I dont feel any pain anymore, just when I touch the teeth. I like it when I feel a little pain when the aligners are on:P

[tennesseeditto]

Whoa! Your treatment time is only 8 weeks! Lucky you! How much did you pay for your treatment, and the clear aligners.. Are those the Invisalign Aligners? Arent those really expencive?

I haven't seen much movement yet. But I have a lot of exams coming up and dont have time to check my teeth that often. I am wearing it 20+ hours every day for exactly 1 week now. After exam I'll take a picture and post it here and also ask my dentist if he can tighten something up. Because I dont feel any pain anymore, just when I touch the teeth. I like it when I feel a little pain when the aligners are on:P

Yes, eight weeks is what my dentist told me. I was a bit skeptical at first since all I had read indicated the typical treatment time was 16 weeks but since I've seen so much improvement in just four weeks, I am beginning to believe it now.

The clear aligners are NOT Invisalign; my dentist did a mold impression yesterday and made them himself. They were included in the price of my treatment plan.

I don't mind sharing what my treatment plan cost, however I have NEVER seen anyone write it here so I wouldn't want to get into trouble with the administrator of this forum. So right now I will type the following information and hope I don't get blocked or thrown off this great forum:

1. I live in the state of Maryland, USA.
2. I know the price of braces or other straightening methods vary from country to country, state to state, even doctor to doctor in the same city or county.
3. Typical braces here cost ~$5,000 while my treatment plan cost 30 percent of that amount.
4. My dental insurance is paying for 50 percent of the cost.

If you think that is low or high please reread statement number two for it is similar to what I've written regarding we all being different so our treatment plans may be different.

Good you are wearing them 20+ hours every day -- not sure they can really do their job very well without them being in the mouth less time.

No worries about not seeing much in only one week. I think it was the second week when I noticed. Yes, the teeth are tender to touch, they are tender when I inserted or removed them too.

Looking forward to seeing your pics.

When you wrote you. Would "ask my dentist if he can tighten something up. Because I dont feel any pain anymore..." what did you mean? Don't you tighten them once a week with your key?

Perhaps you need to pull them down towards the edge of your teeth to put the pressure back on your teeth if you don't feel the pressure any more.

You might want to ask your dentist about his making you clear aligners too since you have some teeth that are rotated too. My dentist my make them for yall if your dentist wants to talk with him.

By the way, my dentist does it all--some of his patients have regular braces, some have. Invisalign, and some of us have the IAs and/or clear aligners.

[earthgirl]

Here is my update at 4 weeks into the Inman Aligners:
My dentist is almost as pleased as I am with the results thus far. Took molds again today and he made me a "clear aligner."

I picked it up this morning and will wear it for 22 hr/d to move the rotated teeth to be straight! I can take them out to eat but have to "be sure" I wear them 22 hr/d. They WILL be tight according to the dentist. after two weeks with this different appliance then ~2 more weeks of the IAs and I am supposed to be done! Thanks for all your prayers and a shoulder to cry on. They are really tight on my teeth but that means they are going to do their job and then I will have straight teeth.

Hurrah!

Hope all is well with everyone else. Let's hear how everything is going with you too.

Hi Tennesseeditto. I'm due at the dentist on Monday to get holds taken for some clear aligners. Can you tell me how noticeable they are? Do they affect your speech at all? Noticed any progress yet?

Thanks!

[smileshy]

I have had my IA for 2 weeks now. I have had very minimal movement but it seems to be in the WRONG direction! My front right tooth sticks out a little and is slightly rotated but the IA seems to have pushed it out more and the rotation looks worse! I have an appointment next week and will ask about it then but I am worried.

The first few days were very painful but after that I have had no pain and the Inman doesn't seem to clicking as snugly into place as it was when I first got it. Is this normal?

Also, my dentist told me to clean them with just water and a toothbrush but they don't feel clean enough! Is it ok to soak them in Steradent?


Tennesseeditto - you must be so pleased with your quick results, 8 weeks is amazing!

[tennesseeditto]

Hi Tennesseeditto. I'm due at the dentist on Monday to get holds taken for some clear aligners. Can you tell me how noticeable they are? Do they affect your speech at all? Noticed any progress yet?

Thanks!

So your dentist is making you clear aligners too--cool!

Be prepared, they ARE tight, really tight. They make the IAs feel like a walk in the park. Really tight BUT they are doing their job too so this is not a complaint but rather encouraging words to just be prepared.

They are not noticable. My manicurist thought I had them off when I went to see her this morning. She said, "Wow! Look at your teeth! They are so much straighter! You've gotten them off earlier than you were told, right? Amazing!" To which I replied, "They are straighter but we aren't done yet. Can't you see the clear aligner I have on?" "Oh, yes, I guess I can see it" as she squints and looks right into my mouth." LOL

My speech is completely back to normal now! Guess that's a good trade off for how tight they feel on my teeth, eh?

I really think those arch expanders were as much a part of the process as the IAs. One thing I was doing several times throughout my day was moving the IAs down on my teeth until I felt pressure. Without that pressure I don't see how they would do much. Please don't be discouraged; everyone is unique and it is possible my teeth are just easier to move.

[tennesseeditto]

I have had my IA for 2 weeks now. I have had very minimal movement but it seems to be in the WRONG direction! My front right tooth sticks out a little and is slightly rotated but the IA seems to have pushed it out more and the rotation looks worse! I have an appointment next week and will ask about it then but I am worried.

The first few days were very painful but after that I have had no pain and the Inman doesn't seem to clicking as snugly into place as it was when I first got it. Is this normal?

Also, my dentist told me to clean them with just water and a toothbrush but they don't feel clean enough! Is it ok to soak them in Steradent?


Tennesseeditto - you must be so pleased with your quick results, 8 weeks is amazing!

Not sure that worrying helps anything so am glad to hear you have an appointment next week.

They definitely should be clicking when you put them on your teeth. Do you look at them in the mirror? I "chomp" on my teeth to make sure they are setting correctly. (This week my dentist gave me these round 1 1/2" whatcamacallits. I really don't know what they are called! He told me to chomp on one so that my clear aligners are seated correctly on my teeth. I think they'd be useful for IAs too. I'll see if I can find out what they are called.)

Are you expanding the arches each week? My IAs were very painful in the beginning but they did become tolerable by the fifth day. Then the pressure started all over again each time I used the key to move the expanders. I am glad you are going back to see your dentist.

As for cleaning my IAs and now my clear aligners, I purchased a small child's soft tooth brush, a denture soaking box (plastic), and denture cleaner. I soaked my IAs each evening while I ate dinner and then used the tooth brush to make sure they were clean, and rinsed them in warm water before reinserting them. This was not my idea--I got this idea from an earlier IA forum post.

Hope this helps!

[tennesseeditto]

Yes, I am elated over the progress that I am experiencing with the IAs and now these clear aligners. Thanks for the encouragement!

[unhappywearer]

just got my ia's top and bottom after 10 weeks with expanders....cannot get used to the bulk of it but been told 4-6 weeks does this sound reasonable ? also not sure if the top brace on the inside of my teeth is sitting correct on the composite . does it fit above or below it ? whats the best way to fit and remove.....sorry for all the questions but feeling really depressed about them

[tennesseeditto]

just got my ia's top and bottom after 10 weeks with expanders....cannot get used to the bulk of it but been told 4-6 weeks does this sound reasonable ? also not sure if the top brace on the inside of my teeth is sitting correct on the composite . does it fit above or below it ? whats the best way to fit and remove.....sorry for all the questions but feeling really depressed about them

Dear "unhappywearer" welcome to the IA forum! You are the second person (if I recall correctly) who was fitted with arch expanders first.

Four to six weeks sounds like a reasonable time frame for someone whose arches have already been expanded. Just be sure you wear the IAs 18 to 22 hours each day! Like my dentist told me, "They do not work unless they are in your mouth.".

I didn't have composites so cannot speak to that question. Also, because I don't have composites, I am not sure about the fit and remove questions. I do know you should feel pressure on the teeth when you wear them.

If you have not already done so, I do recommend that you read ALL the IA posts. I did this before I decided to, "Put my money where (ah, IN) my mouth is!" Yes, it is a lot of reading, however you can glean a lot of insight from others' experiences. When you come to the users who have composites, write to them specifically IF they haven't responded to your question posted already.

Keep us posted and don't get too down about your concerns and questions. I think that is normal for I was wondering, "What HAVE I done?" before the first evening ended and a few times in the first two weeks--until I began to see movement. Now my reaction is, "Yipee!"

Read the posts about composite fitting and then still get in to see your dentist to confirm you are positioning the IAs correctly. Oh, and do thank him for his time and willingness to work you into his busy day. And finally, go treat yourself to a chocolate milk shake.

Again, welcome to the club!

[unhappywearer]

how long to get used to the bulk of it in your mouth ?

[unhappywearer]

thanks for all the advice i've got in my head it will be done by xmas so i'll be devastated if longer !!! did you wear top and botton aligners ?

[tennesseeditto]

how long to get used to the bulk of it in your mouth ?

Not sure I ever got used to the bulk in my mouth. I was appalled at how the bulk added to my mouth distortion when my lips were closed but I simply reminded myself that this is for a short time and I could live through any discomfort, be it physical, mental, or emotional. I reminded myself, "I am going to have straight teeth so practice my smile!"

[tennesseeditto]

thanks for all the advice i've got in my head it will be done by xmas so i'll be devastated if longer !!! did you wear top and botton aligners ?

Yes, my arch aligners are attached to both my top and bottom IAs.

This was my Christmas and birthday present to myself so I can understand that feeling of "possibly" being devastated if the process is not completed by then. Perhaps it would help the process along if you simply focus on the thought, "I am doing this--finally--for myself!" Rather than the deadline you and/or your dentist set for the end result.

You are taking weekly pictures, right?

Yipee! I am happy for all of us!