Metal Mouth Message Board

For those people who understand internals of Invisalign tooth movement. 1. How does my ortho measure progress at my next (& my first) check-up. His only evidence is the initial snapshots and moldings he made. I'm interested in a professional response, don't like approximation science?
2. I was told than once the treatment is over in some 18 or so months, he'll have to put a retainer in to secure my hopefully holywood smile in place. That wire will go on the back of my lower row and stay there for how long?
3. Is there any damage to the teeth from Invisalign. I have major difficulties taking them off (particularly upper tray). It seems like tooth attachments are either too big so they're holding the tray or I'm doing it wrong. I already managed to chip a small bit of my front tooth. If things go this way, I'll have nothing left by the end?

Ok, I will attempt to answer your questions, to the best of my knowledge...

1. Your ortho measures progress by how the aligners are fitting - ie. if you are on aligner 3 and they fit perfectly, everything is going according to plan.

2. So far, I have heard of two retainer options - a retainer like invisalign aligners that you wear for a year OR the wire that goes behind your teeth (lots of people with normal braces get this as well). I believe that it depends, but the wire is meant to be there for life. I know many people who have had them for years, and while it is a little annoying to use the special floss, it is a lot better than having your teeth move, which is why I would be concerned with getting a normal aligner retainer for only a year. There is always potential for your teeth to shift - and that is why I am in this position to begin with - not getting the wire in the first place! You don't notice it after a while and it isn't bothersome at all.

3. It is a little bit tricky to get used to taking the aligners in and out, but should get much easier by even your 2nd day - if you are still having troubles (and it sounds like it by the chipped tooth) I suggest talking to your ortho and seeing what he says. The only effect of the aligners I have had so far is that my gums have been pushed up a bit.