gap

I have survived my first set of alligners.

I decided to wear my first 2 sets for 3 weeks each, since my next appointment is scheduled for 6 weeks from my initial fitting. I figure more time with each alligner can't hurt.

My mouth is still in great shape. The lisp I had at the beginning only lasted a little more than a week, and it's essentially gone.

The alligners definitely pop off with ease now that I've had them on for 3 weeks. I honestly can't tell if my teeth actually moved at all, but I'm sure they have.

I figured that the biggest step at the beginning of treatment was going to be establishing some routines as far as managing meals and cleaning my teeth at work and in public. I realized really fast that I better be good and full after each meal to prevent any unnecessary removal of alligners for snacking. That being said, I've turned into somewhat of a comical sideshow for my wife as she watches me eat 3x as much as normal during the 30 minute window I have allotted myself for meals. With that in place, snacking hasn't been a problem

Cleaning my teeth at work hasn't been an issue, but I did get asked by my co-workers on a few occasions why I mysteriously disappear a little early after lunch every day. I mentioned I had braces and floored a few of them as they had no idea at all. Infact, after 3 weeks, nobody has noticed my alligners. As fas as I'm concerned, they are invisible!

I've been able to manage wearing the alligners for 22 hours a day fairly easily. Once I got over the temptations of coffee and snacking, I was good to go.

I just put in my second set about 5 minutes ago, and they are TIGHT! I was really hoping they would be. No pain, no gain I just finished a chewie session and popped a Tylenol PM tablet. Maybe I'll be eating through a straw tomorrow...we'll see.

All in all, I am very happy with how things are going so far, and I can honestly say the lifestyle adjustment is not a big deal at all.

Thanks for reading my long winded entry!