Splitsville!

[x2k]

So I now have a split up the right-front side of my bottom aligner - and I'm only on my first set - after 2 weeks

The problem stems from the number of attachments I have on my bottom set. On my bottom-right, I have four attachments on consecutive teeth, starting from my #2 incisor.

To date, it's made removing my bottom aligner difficult and painful. But today's lunchtime removal saw a rip of about 1/2 centimetre up the front between teeth 4 & 5 as the attachments face each other due to twisting, and have little more than a millimetre's gap between them.

My dentist has said that I can carry on wearing the tray as long as it is physically do-able, but if not I should move upto my next set.

Anyone else torn their aligners?

[AlleyCat]

No, I havent split mine, but I do worry about it sometimes, exspecially when my 3 weeks is almost up...I would probably just move on to my next set if I did, those might be tighter, sometimes they just fit differently, its not a big difference, but some just seem tighter through out the whole period, where others seem to be abit looser...you could also file your attachments down abit with a nail filer, like some of the other posters.

PS. I think I seen you on IS, Im a member there

[Punkin]

Originally Posted by x2k

So I now have a split up the right-front side of my bottom aligner - and I'm only on my first set - after 2 weeks

The problem stems from the number of attachments I have on my bottom set. On my bottom-right, I have four attachments on consecutive teeth, starting from my #2 incisor.

To date, it's made removing my bottom aligner difficult and painful. But today's lunchtime removal saw a rip of about 1/2 centimetre up the front between teeth 4 & 5 as the attachments face each other due to twisting, and have little more than a millimetre's gap between them.

My dentist has said that I can carry on wearing the tray as long as it is physically do-able, but if not I should move upto my next set.

Anyone else torn their aligners?

I typically only wear mine for 2 weeks, but I have ripped one set before. It was, fortunately, the last time I was taking them off.

I would probably switch up to your next set. However, it is a catch-22 because they will be more difficult to take off over all of those attachments (trust me, I know, I've popped one off completely, and broken at least 2 more - attachments that is)

You might also ask your ortho to take a bit off the attachments. My ortho rounded the corners on mine to make taking the trays out a bit easier - I have a few teeth that protrude a bit more than the others, and they also have attachments. It makes getting over those teeth a bit difficult.

[x2k]

Thanks for your replies

In the end, the set held out, though the split did get bigger. My next ortho appointment isn't for another month, but not too worried about the attachment size (though I can see filing could work) - I've kinda grown to not notice them anymore - and I'm a hell of a lot more gentle removing my trays now - just in case!

AlleyCat... what's IS?

Paul

[Snowy]

I'm on tray 9 (so 18 aligners counting upper and lower), and so far can only claim two unsplit aligners. I've broken all the rest.

From my conversations with my dentist, it's all down to when it happens. If it happens within a few days of changing aligners, no big deal. If it happens right at the start, it's a problem. Unfortunately this is especially true if a tooth has an attachment, as those are the ones that need to move the most.

I've broken most of my aligners toward the end of that tray, so my strategy has mostly been to switch early. When I broke one early on, I tried to stick it out. The broken aligner was fine, but when I put the new one on...yowch. It was really obvious that tooth hadn't moved enough, and now I was forcing it further.

In short... it's mostly okay, but if it happens early in an aligner talk to your ortho.

[burtsbees]

I'm on my first aligner and am always worried about splitting it.
I can really just file my attachments down a little? With a normal nail filer?

[Sunny]

Burtsbees do not file your attachments. These are made to fit the aligners, so if there size is adjusted, the aligners will not work as they're designed to.

Some patients who find the aligners have an area that is rough on their mouth, sometimes gently file that area, to make sure it's smooth.

[Zoso]

Wow, I certainly agree. The attachments are there to help the trays better grip onto the teeth, which is of course why they also make it so much tougher to remove the trays! Whilst tweaking the attachments might make tray removal an easier prospect, it would also mean the trays could not do their job as well, and that could have a negative impact on your treatment.

[Big_A]

I only have one attachment, but when it was first put on it was affecting my bite when I wasn't wearing the aligners.

I told my dentist, and he was able to make a minor adjustment for me.

If you're having difficulty with an attachment, I'd advise you to call your dentist/orthodontist.

[Punkin]

Originally Posted by Sunny

Burtsbees do not file your attachments. These are made to fit the aligners, so if there size is adjusted, the aligners will not work as they're designed to.

Some patients who find the aligners have an area that is rough on their mouth, sometimes gently file that area, to make sure it's smooth.

Actually, that is not entirely true. I wouldn't file them yourself, but at long as the attachments are engaged with the cut-out on the tray, they will work.

My orthodontist filed down my attachments, and also, when a few of them broke in half, wasn't concerned; they are still doing what needs to be done.

Sometimes, depending on the attachments and the teeth, the trays are very difficult to get out. I would recommend bringing this up to your orthodontist and seeing if they can file the corners off the attachments, making it easier to get the trays in and out.

[Zoso]

I'm not convinced. Yes, it's working OK for you, and with any luck will continue to do so. But that doesn't mean it's working just as well as it would have done had the attachments remained the optimal shape for the "bubble" in the tray ... have you ever tried budging a square-shaped nut with a hex-shaped driver? (or vice versa)