Can't get aligners off over attachments

[Carolyn]

Hello!
I have two issues that I was hoping you veterans could help me with
I've finally received my first set of aligners and I'll be ready to start as soon as I get some IPR done on Friday (until then, I have spacers in and the aligners won't fit). I'm a little concerned though because before I had the spacers in I was practicing putting on/removing the aligners and after having 2 attachments put on my lower teeth, I couldn't get the aligner off without the nurse's help!! On Friday I'll be getting 4 attachments on the top so I'm worried I won't be able to get the upper aligner off either... I've ordered one of those remover tools but it won't arrive by the time I start my aligners, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to get them off until then? My nails are super weak so they're really no help
The other thing is, that I'm terrified of the IPR. My teeth are pretty sensitive and I'm a huge chicken. It's only going to be .2mm off each side, but I'm still worried. How long does the procedure last? Does it hurt?
Thanks so much!

[Sunny]

To help with sensitive teeth, make sure you're brushing with a toothpaste like sensodyne, as this should help heaps.

Spacers? What are you referring, the ones that are used when metal bands are put around teeth, to make a little space ... or is this something else?

Good luck with your IPR. I've had this done a few times manually and by drill and it's been pain free and easy. Plus I have sensitive teeth if I don't use sensodyne regularly.

[Phantom Muse]

I have seven attachments, and have had them since my first day with Invisalign. If you could have seen me at the ortho's office trying to take the trays out for the first time!!! But, when I got home I had much better luck, and I really have no problem at all now, even with new trays. As your teeth settle into each new set of trays, removal and insertion gets even easier. I have heard of people who can pop theirs out just with their tongue!

I generally start on the left side and slide my nail under the tray (I am a pianist and my nails are short, but you can also grip the back of the tray with a piece of paper towel if your nail doesn't work), and then gently pull the aligner off each tooth. When I get to each attachment, it makes a little popping sound, but that's it! You'll find your best removal technique in no time.

I was nervous before getting my Invisalign a few months back, and I was NOT happy when I went home with them on. They were bulky and I thought I looked funny, etc. but within a few days I forgot I had them at times. Now, a few months into it, I NEVER think about them except when it comes time to eat.

There are a lot of really supportive people on this forum, so don't hesitate to ask questions and seek support when you need it!

Best of luck on Friday!

[Carolyn]

Thanks for your responses!

Spacers? What are you referring, the ones that are used when metal bands are put around teeth, to make a little space ... or is this something else?

Yeah, the little rubber circles they force between your teeth to make room. Is it strange my ortho is using them before IPR? I've looked around this and other forums to get more info and I hadn't seen anyone else mention them for use before IPR? Maybe my teeth are too tight. It's annoying though because the 2 spacers are on either side of one of my lower incisors, so it looks funny, and it's making my teeth crooked (my teeth were pretty straight, I'm getting braces to help with a deep bite/tmj). Oh well, soon enough it'll be done.

[Mr. Z]

I wouldn't worry about the IPR. I had quite a bit done and didn't find it painful in the least. The noise it makes isn't exactly pleasant, but, outside of that, no problem.

[leevshan]

IPR doesn't hurt at all, but when the water from the drill gets inside your throat, that was the only discomfort I experienced. Other than that, it's fine.

[mommamorin]

i had 4 IPR's and were all 2mm as well, piece of cake and it is such a small amount it was done before I knew it.

[Carolyn]

IPR doesn't hurt at all, but when the water from the drill gets inside your throat, that was the only discomfort I experienced. Other than that, it's fine.

Well, it's done. It wasn't great... The drill didn't have any water coming out of it and my teeth were sensitive to the heat so it hurt. I told him and he started to spray water at it while shaving and it was a little better but I'm not excited to get it twice more.

[mommamorin]

ask him to put a little numbing fluid on a QTip and numb it for you. My dentist does this before he actually puts the needle in so I can't feel it when having fillings, etc

[myhollywoodsmile]

Hi there, glad you found it ok! I wrote about my ipr on my blog...
I didn't find it too bad either!

As for removing the aligners a paper towel can really help, or strangely enough, those fine surgical gloves. They seem to offer more grip than bare fingers. I find that you need to pull the aligner out slightly next to the attachment, almost like unhooking it.
It really does get easier though!

[Carolyn]

Hi there, glad you found it ok! I wrote about my ipr on my blog...
I didn't find it too bad either!

As for removing the aligners a paper towel can really help, or strangely enough, those fine surgical gloves. They seem to offer more grip than bare fingers. I find that you need to pull the aligner out slightly next to the attachment, almost like unhooking it.
It really does get easier though!

Tried everything and finally resorted to wedging a tweezer's edge under there to pull it to the side and up...i was panicking that I would have to go hungry tonight but luckily that worked.. hopefully my remover tool arrives soon

[leevshan]

is there a special tool to remove the tray over attachments?

[Phantom Muse]

There is something called an "outie" that I have heard about that is supposed to help with tray removal. It can be purchased at outietool.com.

[kathi29]

I love my outie tool. I don't often use it for the top tray - for that one I put a small piece of paper towel over my fingernail just to give it some grip. But for the bottom tray, the outie is just so much easier. Slide the end under the aligner and pop it straight up.

[sadsmile]

There is something called an "outie" that I have heard about that is supposed to help with tray removal. It can be purchased at outietool.com.

After just taking mine out for the first time, several broken fingernails later, I could really use one of these. They want $9.60 to ship to UK though.

[Phantom Muse]

Oh, dear Sadsmile. The first few times I removed my aligners I was shaky and I struggled and ... It really does get easier, though, so try not to be too discouraged!

I think I have also read about other Invisalign users using various "found" tools - like tweezers and the like - but I would worry about breaking the tray! If you can "unhook" the tray on one side at the very back, you might then be able to just grab hold of it with your fingers (use a paper towel or a thin piece a fabric or a rubber glove for traction) and then gently lift it over each tooth, including those with attachments.

When I get a new tray, I put it in at 8:00 p.m. at night and then I don't take it out until 12 hours later. Much of the new settling has occurred by then and it seems to be MUCH easier to remove the tray. After a day or two with a new tray, they come out so easily.

Good luck!

[TONTAGE]

When I get a new tray, I put it in at 8:00 p.m. at night and then I don't take it out until 12 hours later. Much of the new settling has occurred by then and it seems to be MUCH easier to remove the tray. After a day or two with a new tray, they come out so easily.

Good luck!

good advice right there

[Rosieee]

I have attachments on EVERY tooth on my top arch...and 6 attachments on my bottom arch.

I never had much of a problem taking them out and don't even use my nails -just my fingers...like anything you will get used to them and find a technique that works for you.

As for IPR...I have had it done a few times and have no idea why people get worried or fear it! I am going to get some more done in about an hour in fact!

Goodluck

[leevshan]

After just taking mine out for the first time, several broken fingernails later, I could really use one of these. They want $9.60 to ship to UK though.

I couldn't find the outie tool in my area too.

I broke my fingernails, too and I had to use a tweezer to take them off.
In fact, without a tweezer, I managed to split a tray.
but now I'm getting used to do it with fingernails again, and it does get easier eventually.

[kathi29]

I read somewhere - I have no idea where - that you can also use a very small crochet hook. I'm sure those are easier to come by, and cheaper.

[angel9165]

My ortho suggested the small crochet hook. For the first few days I used this plaque scrapper thing that I have (it's like a hook) and it worked great but now I just use my nails. I have hurt the underside of my thumb nail trying to get the bottom tray off but that's usually only a problem the first few days of a new tray. The top, where there is little movement required, it's easy to get off...makes sense, I guess. I've only cracked one tray (bottom) but it didn't break all the way so managed through to the next new tray (or will have by this evening).

[sea2sky]

Thanks for the tweezer tip!!!! It worked! I just got my attachments put on before lunch and we were going out of town for 2 days and I was panicking coz I couldn't take the bottom tray out. I had noodles for lunch with the bottom tray still on and was getting worried about supper. I had to go out to the dollar store to get tweezers as I was desperate! I probably won't have to order the outie tool too Thanks so much!

[EdZed]

I'm going to have to try that too. The first few days after I put my tray in, I had to use ALL my strength with both hands and several fingernails under the tray to get them off over the attachments. At some points I was bent over gasping for breath after failing to wrench them off my teeth. It's easier now, but boy sometimes I didn't think I was going to get them off.

Straight Teeth Journey

[Phantom Muse]

I almost resorted to a sledgehammer to get my new tray on tonight; it was a difficult one!!!!!! I'll worry about trying to take it off in about, say, 12 hours!

I took a quick moment to look at your blog, Ed; very nice!

[EdZed]

Thanks Phantom Muse, I didn't know much about Invisalign before I saw the dentist and didn't know about this forum either so I thought a blog would be a nice idea. However I realise now there are lots of people talking about it on the web but hey I'm sure I'll fit in somewhere!