Ok, so what has been going on with my invisalign treatment? Well since my last post I had my appointment where they put on the attachments and likewise put in my 3rd trays. I will say that one huge lesson learned on this is try to avoid switching to a new tray (especially once you have attachments) if you plan on eating in the next, oh say 8 hours. The procedure for putting on the attachments was simple enough. They first clean the surface of the tooth, with some sort of acid I think, but it doesn't hurt at all. Once the surface is clean, and dry they apply a liberal amount of adhesive onto the tooth and apply a slight amount of UV light in order to make it tacky before applying the attachment itself. While this process is going on the Orthodontist is putting the attachment paste into the mold on the setting tray...which while is similar to the regular aligners is much lighter and more flexible. They then fit the aligner onto your teeth, applying enough force to get them into position and then use the UV light again to set the adhesive and the attachment. The process is then complete and they can remove the setting tray and insert your next tray set, for me that was my 3rd tray. So, they inserted the tray and as usual I felt no discomfort of pain, merely a little pressure at first but I got used to it quickly.
The issue came about three hours later however when I decided to go have lunch and could not get the tray off using the method I had become accustomed to. I called the office and they were extremely helpful, providing me with a tool and great advice on how I should do it. With a great deal of effort I finally got the trays off, though I lost a few attachments in the process. I did call the office and tell them of my problem and they scheduled me another appointment to reattach the missing attachments. Since then I have not had any repeat problems, nor do I expect any.
So what is it like now? Well the attachments, or buttons as they are sometimes called, are rough at first and really irritated me...not to the extent of causing damage in my mouth but drove me nuts because it was like always having a corn kernel stuck in my teeth whenever the trays were out. Well the simple answer to that was to not take my trays out unless absolutely necessary. They trays are still somewhat difficult to put in and take out but no where near what they were that first day. I still find it easiest with the tool for my upper tray but only because it was tearing up my fingernails doing it that way. I have moved onto my 4th trays without any fanfare or problems and am looking forward to moving up to my fifth trays in another week. All in all I think I am adjusting ok to the transition and while everyone has started to notice my treatment since I got the attachments they have all been very supportive.
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