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Updates... updates... updates.... Aligner #4
It has been a month since my last update (Sorry!) and things are still moving along as planned.
At my last orthodontist appointment -- a month ago -- I received my attachments. The procedure was entirely PAINLESS, for those who are concerned about having tooth-colored buttons semi-permanently attached to your teeth.
The appointment started with my orthodontist (Dr. Naidu) checking the fit of aligner #3 while it was still in place. I was then allowed to remove my third aligner. He noted that my movement was tracking as planned and asked about my Invisalign habits, confirming that my typical daily wear was around 21 - 22 hours per day. He assured me that I'm a "great patient" for my top-notch compliance... even after I admitted my 'cheating' on special occasions... and he shortened my time in each aligner to FIVE DAYS. That means that I can change my aligner every 5th day, after my last meal for the evening. That shortens my overall projected treatment time by approximately three months (not including the anticipated refinements).
THEN I was introduced to that wonderful (*sarcasm*) phenomenon of IPR (or Interproximal Reduction). I noticed my ClinCheck pulled up on the chair-side screen, with red markers for where my attachments would be placed and blue numbers (i.e. .2 / .3 ) that I correctly assumed were the measurements for my needed IPR. My orthodontist took a small tool and shaved between two of my upper front teeth in order to make room for the coming movements the next few aligners would be creating; the amount of shaving corresponded with the number I'd noticed on the screen. Again, the procedure was entirely PAINLESS, aside from extreme pressure when he pressed a metal measurement gauge between the two newly-shaved teeth in order to measure the distance between them. When I expressed my discomfort (with a muffled grumble, since my mouth was being held open with a plastic instrument) the good doctor informed me that he simply hadn't taken enough enamel from between the teeth... and proceeded to sand off a bit more. Again, painless. I'll admit... it's a weird sensation that isn't entirely comfortable, but it's more annoying than anything.
When he finished the IPR, my orthodontist removed the plastic appliance, allowed me to rinse, and asked: "So, how was that?"
My reply... "That was evil."
He laughed, then assured me that there would be more IPR down the line.
Lovely.
At least he gives me a warning.
And then it was time for my attachments to be placed. The plastic appliance was again inserted to keep me from closing my mouth, and a suction tool was placed. My orthodontist applied a weak acid (which he referred to as a "shampoo for teeth") to prep my enamel, and then filled the indentions in an aligner with tooth-colored material. He then cut the aligner into sections before snapping each section individually onto my teeth, curing (or hardening) the tooth-colored attachments with a special light, and then moving on to the next section. Finally, he carefully removed the broken aligner portions to reveal my new attachments. I received a total of 14 attachments -- both upper and lower combined -- on teeth 3, 4, and 5 in each quadrant. This means that there are three to four attachments on each side on both my upper and lower teeth, sometimes two on the same tooth. Overall, it doesn't look (or feel) that bad.
When I was finally able to rinse and run my tongue over the tooth-colored buttons, my first comment was: "Wow. That's a strange sensation." It really does feel as though you've been eating something (like peanuts or another hard food) and that they've all become stuck to your teeth. My orthodontist was kind enough to polish the attachments for me so that they weren't so sharp, but that caused some sensitivity where my gums are receding on my canines and forward molars. The sensitivity went away in about two weeks with daily use of a toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth.
Once my orthodontist was certain that I could pop the aligners in and out on my own (despite the new attachments) I was given a bag of my next TEN ... yes 10!... aligners and sent on my way. I was instructed to change each aligner every FIVE days and return in two months.
So, overall, I would say that things are going just as planned... if not better! I'm just going with the flow and moving through the daily motions. I'll admit it, though : The constant brushing is getting OLD!
At my last orthodontist appointment -- a month ago -- I received my attachments. The procedure was entirely PAINLESS, for those who are concerned about having tooth-colored buttons semi-permanently attached to your teeth.
The appointment started with my orthodontist (Dr. Naidu) checking the fit of aligner #3 while it was still in place. I was then allowed to remove my third aligner. He noted that my movement was tracking as planned and asked about my Invisalign habits, confirming that my typical daily wear was around 21 - 22 hours per day. He assured me that I'm a "great patient" for my top-notch compliance... even after I admitted my 'cheating' on special occasions... and he shortened my time in each aligner to FIVE DAYS. That means that I can change my aligner every 5th day, after my last meal for the evening. That shortens my overall projected treatment time by approximately three months (not including the anticipated refinements).
THEN I was introduced to that wonderful (*sarcasm*) phenomenon of IPR (or Interproximal Reduction). I noticed my ClinCheck pulled up on the chair-side screen, with red markers for where my attachments would be placed and blue numbers (i.e. .2 / .3 ) that I correctly assumed were the measurements for my needed IPR. My orthodontist took a small tool and shaved between two of my upper front teeth in order to make room for the coming movements the next few aligners would be creating; the amount of shaving corresponded with the number I'd noticed on the screen. Again, the procedure was entirely PAINLESS, aside from extreme pressure when he pressed a metal measurement gauge between the two newly-shaved teeth in order to measure the distance between them. When I expressed my discomfort (with a muffled grumble, since my mouth was being held open with a plastic instrument) the good doctor informed me that he simply hadn't taken enough enamel from between the teeth... and proceeded to sand off a bit more. Again, painless. I'll admit... it's a weird sensation that isn't entirely comfortable, but it's more annoying than anything.
When he finished the IPR, my orthodontist removed the plastic appliance, allowed me to rinse, and asked: "So, how was that?"
My reply... "That was evil."
He laughed, then assured me that there would be more IPR down the line.
Lovely.
At least he gives me a warning.
And then it was time for my attachments to be placed. The plastic appliance was again inserted to keep me from closing my mouth, and a suction tool was placed. My orthodontist applied a weak acid (which he referred to as a "shampoo for teeth") to prep my enamel, and then filled the indentions in an aligner with tooth-colored material. He then cut the aligner into sections before snapping each section individually onto my teeth, curing (or hardening) the tooth-colored attachments with a special light, and then moving on to the next section. Finally, he carefully removed the broken aligner portions to reveal my new attachments. I received a total of 14 attachments -- both upper and lower combined -- on teeth 3, 4, and 5 in each quadrant. This means that there are three to four attachments on each side on both my upper and lower teeth, sometimes two on the same tooth. Overall, it doesn't look (or feel) that bad.
When I was finally able to rinse and run my tongue over the tooth-colored buttons, my first comment was: "Wow. That's a strange sensation." It really does feel as though you've been eating something (like peanuts or another hard food) and that they've all become stuck to your teeth. My orthodontist was kind enough to polish the attachments for me so that they weren't so sharp, but that caused some sensitivity where my gums are receding on my canines and forward molars. The sensitivity went away in about two weeks with daily use of a toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth.
Once my orthodontist was certain that I could pop the aligners in and out on my own (despite the new attachments) I was given a bag of my next TEN ... yes 10!... aligners and sent on my way. I was instructed to change each aligner every FIVE days and return in two months.
So, overall, I would say that things are going just as planned... if not better! I'm just going with the flow and moving through the daily motions. I'll admit it, though : The constant brushing is getting OLD!
Comparison Photo : Aligner #1 and Aligner #3
I wanted to post a comparison photo of my teeth on my first day of Aligner #1 versus my teeth on my first day of Aligner #3. There seems to be a bit of a change between the two pictures. Yay!
Aligner #3... Day #2...
It's Tuesday again! Wow... the week has just flown by, hasn't it?
I'm on Day #2 of my third aligner. I can honestly say that this one is nowhere near as tight as the previous aligner. Is it wrong of me to admit that I was actually a little bit disappointed that Aligner #3 wasn't as tight as the last one? I'm in no way a [RS bleep], but I saw some big changes with Aligner #2, and I had hoped to keep up that momentum! When I put away my previous tray and instered Aligner #3 for the first time yesterday evening I thought to myself, "Well.. this one is going to be a let-down!". Ah, well... I'll put my faith in my orthodontist and keep my fingers crossed that something is happening here.
Just to recap...
Aligner #2 was impossibly tight, and it wasn't until Thursday that my teeth shifted into position and I started to feel relief from the pressure. The experience wasn't painful, per se, but I could definitely feel that Aligner #2 was working! I can actually see some spacing happening between my bottom teeth, which is exciting! I can honestly say that I had a love/hate relationship with Aligner #2. By Saturday, the tray was a bit loose and I was looking forward to switching to a new aligner on Monday evening.
The only minor issue that I experienced during Aligner #2 was a canker sore that appeared on Day #3. Day #3 always seems to be the day that I experience any sort of canker sore, cuts or other irritation. If it's going to happen, it's always on Day #3. But hey, at least it's predictable! I doubt that Aligner #3 is going to create any problems, however; it seems pretty tame.
I've been lingering over my morning coffee and I've stopped skipping desserts after dinner... Basically, I've started taking advantage of my full two hours of Invisalign-free time each day. The aligners are incredibly easy to pop in and out, and brushing.. flossing.. rinsing.. and cleaning the trays has become so routine that it takes me less than five minutes from start to finish. Granted, I'm sure that I'll be right back to where I started next week when my orthodontist places my attachments, but for now the whole Invisalign thing is easy peasy.
Here's hoping that I get used to the attachments (or buttons) just as quickly as I've adapted to the plastic aligners!
I'm on Day #2 of my third aligner. I can honestly say that this one is nowhere near as tight as the previous aligner. Is it wrong of me to admit that I was actually a little bit disappointed that Aligner #3 wasn't as tight as the last one? I'm in no way a [RS bleep], but I saw some big changes with Aligner #2, and I had hoped to keep up that momentum! When I put away my previous tray and instered Aligner #3 for the first time yesterday evening I thought to myself, "Well.. this one is going to be a let-down!". Ah, well... I'll put my faith in my orthodontist and keep my fingers crossed that something is happening here.
Just to recap...
Aligner #2 was impossibly tight, and it wasn't until Thursday that my teeth shifted into position and I started to feel relief from the pressure. The experience wasn't painful, per se, but I could definitely feel that Aligner #2 was working! I can actually see some spacing happening between my bottom teeth, which is exciting! I can honestly say that I had a love/hate relationship with Aligner #2. By Saturday, the tray was a bit loose and I was looking forward to switching to a new aligner on Monday evening.
The only minor issue that I experienced during Aligner #2 was a canker sore that appeared on Day #3. Day #3 always seems to be the day that I experience any sort of canker sore, cuts or other irritation. If it's going to happen, it's always on Day #3. But hey, at least it's predictable! I doubt that Aligner #3 is going to create any problems, however; it seems pretty tame.
I've been lingering over my morning coffee and I've stopped skipping desserts after dinner... Basically, I've started taking advantage of my full two hours of Invisalign-free time each day. The aligners are incredibly easy to pop in and out, and brushing.. flossing.. rinsing.. and cleaning the trays has become so routine that it takes me less than five minutes from start to finish. Granted, I'm sure that I'll be right back to where I started next week when my orthodontist places my attachments, but for now the whole Invisalign thing is easy peasy.
Here's hoping that I get used to the attachments (or buttons) just as quickly as I've adapted to the plastic aligners!
Provider Review
Dr. Kistama Naidu
I phoned to schedule a consult with Dr. Naidu for orthodontic treatment. I was surprised that Dr. Naidu himself picked up the telephone, and then referred me to a member of his office staff to book my appointment because they were "in the middle of their morning meeting". The receptionist was very cheerful, and she was helpful on the telephone. I was instructed to complete an online patient history form before my appointment to expedite the process. I left the type of braces I was interested in completely open to the doctor's discretion. I wanted whatever would work best for my individual case. Dr. Naidu told me that either option (Invisalign or wire/bracket braces) would work for my case, and that there wasn't much of a price difference between the two. I was given a 16 month estimate when I asked about treatment length, with a 6 month full-time retention period, and then a lifetime of retainers at night only. Dr. Naidu is a very warm individual and has a great sense of humor.