2nd set of trays

[snow-board]

I just started my second set of trays 2 days ago. When I have my trays in, the pressure goes away in a few minutes and while I have them in the discomfort (pressure) is not noticeable. However when I take my trays out even for 15 minutes for a quick snack and then put them back in (after brushing of course), the pressure is again noticeable for the first few minutes. Can teeth really shift back that quickly? What is the most amount of time (generally) that you can leave your trays out and still keep on track with your treatment?

Thanks

[Punkin]

Originally Posted by snow-board

I just started my second set of trays 2 days ago. When I have my trays in, the pressure goes away in a few minutes and while I have them in the discomfort (pressure) is not noticeable. However when I take my trays out even for 15 minutes for a quick snack and then put them back in (after brushing of course), the pressure is again noticeable for the first few minutes. Can teeth really shift back that quickly? What is the most amount of time (generally) that you can leave your trays out and still keep on track with your treatment?

Thanks

I don't think it is so much as your teeth are shifting in that short period of time as it more that your mouth is used to the movement. I don't really know how to describe it. I also think a lot of the pain/pressure you feel is from the sudden forced movement of placing the trays in. I'd almost equate it to a stretch - when you first start a stretch, you feel the stretch, but it eases up as you hold it. However, when you relax, and then stretch again, you can feel it again, even though you couldn't just a few moments ago... That's the best analogy I can come up with

[rlweber]

I had a gap in my front teeth, so I could witness close up how fast they separated after removing a tray. Sometimes within two to three minutes a small gap had reappeared.

I like Punkin's stretching analogy. When those teeth are sore after starting a new tray, taking the tray out and putting them back in soon after can be painful.

I would always put my new tray on in the evening, so my teeth had all night to move (while I slept). This minimizes any removing of the tray in the first, say, 10 hours, which I think is the most painful. But breakfast/lunch is still a bear that first day!

Just remind yourself how you'll look in a year or so, take an advil if it's too bad, and trudge on.

[AlleyCat]

I think that the reason they hurt after you change trays is because they are pushing your teeth in the shape of the tray, and theres force there so when you take them out, they hurt, see as soon as the dentist puts in the new tray they are being pushed to where the dentist wants them to go, with the aligner your using. After a few days, you can hardly tell. I think it was worse with me for my first 3 aligners and then I got use to the change and what to expect so it didnt hurt as bad anymore. Its kind of like one of the other posters said, once you get use to wearing them, you notice them more when its time to change them for a new set. I think that is because they get alittle loose after wearing them and your teeth have moved, they start to aggravate you because you are use to the pressure on your teeth and its not there any more, but the loose tray is still in your mouth. Its not totally loose or anything, its just not as tight as it was when you had it on before. Anyways, good luck, the change is the hardest part, I think you will get use to it and be happy with the results!

[dantelx]

Well what happens is when you first put in a new tray you will experience pressure because the tray pushes the teeth into their new position, well almost. After a few days the teeth are in the new position of the tray, so there is no more discomfort. The reason you have to leave the trays in for 2 weeks is to allow the bone in your jaw to heal. When you take it out, you interupt the healing process and the teeth naturally migrate back to where they were. This is why you can't leave them out for a long time as all the work can disapear if you leave them out for too long.

Those who change their trays before 2 weeks are risking long term health issues. Of course everyone is different, but this is just standard human anatomy.