Damn you attachments!

[paulmerc]

So, I finally got the attachments yesterday. My dentist started me for a couple weeks before putting them on. The first tray (of 12 only) didn't cause too much trouble, wasn't painful, etc..

But, got the attachments on yesterday and now I understand their purpose.

I got five in total, I don't really care about their look, location etc., just they bug the heck out of me when my aligners are not in and they make it damn near impossible to get the aligners OUT! When I first got home after having the five attachements put on I thought - "oh no, the adhesive had attached itself to the aligners which are are NOW GLUED to my teeth!"

Indeed they were just REALLY attached to my teeth. Indeed, now the aligners "snap" onto my teeth and getting them off is quite a process that leads me to think I am going to break the aligners.

What that will LEAD TO is that I won't want to take the aligners off to EAT and the aligners will be on my teeth A LOT LONGER and MORE OFTEN.

I have been doing pretty well averaging between 21-22 hours total (when I go out to diner, which might last 1-1.5 hours I leave them out for the entire dinner) which is probably sufficient.

Anyway, NOW when the aligners are off I have the feeling that the attachments are rubbing my gums and of course get the feeling that I have food everywhere. So, it is better to just keep the aligners on COVERING the attachments.

Onward.!

[ChicagoB]

That's just normal - I have 11 attachments and the first few days are no joke. In a few days, it'll get easier. Don't get too comfortable though - you're going to repeat this every 2 weeks.

And don't even think about eating with them on - scratch that - try eating with them on and you'll never do it again. That first bite is enough to remind you something is wrong.

[paulmerc]

Yeah, I didn't mean to say I would be eating with them on, only that I won't ever want to take them off. but of course I will, to eat.

[ChicagoB]

LOL - that's the feeling I had the first day.

[paulmerc]

Oh, I forgot to ask this one other question. does anyone know what a "power bar" is?
On the attachment sheet, it showed a POWER BAR indicated by a straight line on the BACK of one of the teeth. Nothing was put ON the tooth, the dentist said that it was something built into the aligner? Is this some area of additional pressure, or should something have been applied to the tooth?

[LeslieKnope]

Oh, I forgot to ask this one other question. does anyone know what a "power bar" is?
On the attachment sheet, it showed a POWER BAR indicated by a straight line on the BACK of one of the teeth. Nothing was put ON the tooth, the dentist said that it was something built into the aligner? Is this some area of additional pressure, or should something have been applied to the tooth?

I've got one of those on top of one of my front teeth. My ortho said it's to help push the tooth slightly. Apparently it's a feature of later generation invisalign.

[paulmerc]

Is it something they attached to the tooth, or something in the aligner? can you see it?

[LeslieKnope]

Yep, I think it's actually called a power ridge. It's in the aligner and it's actually an indent rather than a bubble where the aligner would fit over an attachment (so it's concaved rather than convexed). I didn't have one until my second tray, and now I have one on the top and two on the bottom. At first I thought it was a defect in the aligner and made a trip to see my ortho! It's not really visible at all (unlike the attachments).

[darlina]

I'm on my day three of treatment and received 12 attachments! I have clumps of glue from the attachment all over my front teeth, wondering if this is normal?

[bluegray]

I have 13 attachments -- 4 upper and 9 lower. I agree that it can make your aligners feel very tight at times, particularly when putting in a new tray. I have found that if I use my fingernail and gently pull the aligners out a bit (away from my attachments and teeth) before pulling them up/down to remove them, it makes it much easier. Also experiment removing them from both sides -- I usually find one side easier than the other. I'm now half way through 8/33 U and L and I can whip them out in 10 seconds or less, so it really does get easier!

[pinarfurkan]

I have 12 attachments. 6 top and bottom. An extremely easy way to get your trays out is to start from behind the teeth......ESPECIALLY on your lowers. Start by opening you mouth very wide. Use your index finger to pop your tray up on both sides of your inner jaw teeth (the side of your teeth that touches your tongue). After both left and right sides are poppef up, then move your fingers to the front of teeth to the actual points of attachments, gently lift trays.....It comes right off. I've even started snacking again.
This technique works best with the lowers...dont really need it for the uppers, as the uppers tend to come out easier.

[paulmerc]

Yeah since the attachments are on the front, probably working from the rear is best. good tip.

[Teefers]

I have 14 attachments and tried to pop the trays out from both sides simultaneously and was having trouble. My ortho told me to start on just one inner side and work them off by pushing forward and up. Way easier for me to just use one hand to remove....

[TROPICAL82]

I have 12 attachments. 6 top and bottom. An extremely easy way to get your trays out is to start from behind the teeth......ESPECIALLY on your lowers. Start by opening you mouth very wide. Use your index finger to pop your tray up on both sides of your inner jaw teeth (the side of your teeth that touches your tongue). After both left and right sides are poppef up, then move your fingers to the front of teeth to the actual points of attachments, gently lift trays.....It comes right off. I've even started snacking again.
This technique works best with the lowers...dont really need it for the uppers, as the uppers tend to come out easier.

Same issue same solution.