My New Teeth :)

After keeping trays 4 on for one week longer, last night was the night to start trays 5. As typical, I waited until just before it was time for bed, took some Motrin, brushed my teeth, and popped the new aligners in.

They are always tight, but this time, I think because of the extra week, they weren't as tight. They went on a lot easier, and without any pain. There is a bit of pain this morning, on one particular tooth - the upper right canine for this set. It seems like each set of trays, while moving all teeth, focuses on one or two individual teeth. The last set was the lower left canine, and this seems to be the upper right. It's just a particular tooth that hurts more than any of the others. The pain is usually the worst when you pop on the trays - which of course makes sense. You've got something that is sore and tender, and you apply pressure to it, it's going to hurt.

I also managed to rip the upper tray I was taking out last night. Fortunately, it happened on the last night, but I'd never had that happen before. I wasn't being as gentle as I should, and it got caught up on one of the attachments, and when I pulled it, I could tell something happened. I pushed it back in and took it off the right way, and looked - there was a tear. I don't know if they were weakened from the extra week of wear and tear or what..

And, since Dr. R told me that sometimes these trays need to go a bit longer, and essentially told me if I felt the need to, I could keep them in longer, I think every third or fourth tray I might keep in longer. They obviously keep working even after the prescribed two weeks, so I think this will help my progress.

Until next time...