So, Here we go then. I've picked up the Aligner, I've had it for 24 hours and so far I have decided.... I'm doing it wrong!!
I picked it up at half 5 (17th Feb) and I kept it in pretty much all night. Taking it out to eat and brush my teeth but it's going back in easily enough. Happy days. The first time I took it out after about 4 or 5 hours, I could actually feel my teeth ache. I think this is quite promising. There's obviously pressure and that can only be a good thing. One of the outer springs seems to be jammed into my gum but it doesn't hurt and I can't even feel it. The front bar does seem to move quite a lot. I'm not entirely sure if it should be worn straight accross the front incisors or lower or higher up? It moves to all three positions and I didn't think it would. Anyway, successful first evening I thought. Decided to go to sleep with it in. I want this done quickly so the more I wear it the quicker it'll get done.
I wake after about an hours sleep. Obviously it's alien for me to go to sleep with something in my mouth so I'm not moody about waking up. However, I appear to not be wearing my IA anymore! It's in my hand!! I popped it back in and went back to sleep. Woke up an hour later, IA in my hand again!!! This happened 5 times in all. I'm taking the thing out in my sleep. This is not good. I was relying on sleep time as part of my 16-20 hour quota.
Get up, go to work, take IA. Put in IA after breakfast. Take out IA after first phonecall. THAT is something I am not prepared to do yet! I can't even say the usual phone greeting, I can't say the brands I sell (It's ToSSSCCCHHHHiba and SSCCCHHHamSSSCCCHHHung!!) I can say my name and Hello. Not really ideal. The IA goes back in sporadically throughout the day, when the phone is quiet. Reckoned I managed about 5 hours all told but it started to feel really weird. The back plate bit (I've since found out is called The Lingual Assembly) doesn't seem to sit properly behind my teeth. It drops to below the tooth line and you can see it and it seems to be pulling down on the part at the back that holds it into place. I can move the lingual assembly back into place but as soon as I talk, it falls out again. Also, I can actually flip the whole thing out of place with my top lip.
I'm going back tomorrow for it to be tightened. As long as my dentist isn't off sick again ;o)
Thursday 18 February 2010
Wednesday 17 February 2010
Working a trout pout?!
I got my Inman Aligner today. :o)
I did get a phonecall from the surgery this morning trying to rearrange my appointment because Mr Dentist is poorly again but I explained that I was only picking up my IA and could I just do that...? They agreed and off I went. Saw a different dentist obviously who was nice.
So, the big reveal of my new IA. It looks ok. Looks exactly how I expected to be honest.
Infact almost identical to this except mine is totally transparent.
The different dentist (I don't know his name so I will cal him Colin) explained about my new brace, that it was based on a push/pull theory with the springs. I'll be honest, I didn't really hear what Colin was talking about. I was far too excited. He fitted it for me.
Basically, they're all made specific to the individual so they'll be different but mine has a clear acrylic bar that goes across the front of my teeth, a spring mounted acrylic bar that pushes behind my teeth, 2 wired gap things that fit around one of my back teeth on each side.
It seemed to be quite easy to fit. Went in straight away. Was waiting for it to hurt or snap into place and it didn't. I'd read that it hurt when you put it in and took it out. I was a little worried that it wasn't hurting. It still doesn't hurt.
I fitted it myself and it really is easy. It just sort of fits at the back and then you just adjust the bar to the front and then adjust the bit at the back. Because of this self adjustment I now think I'm doing it wrong.
Also, it feels massive in my mouth. I knew it would. It's not uncomfortable at all but where my tongue has normally had the whole of my spacious mouth for a home, it feels like someone's just put up a fence up and cordoned off the roof of my mouth. I'm sure i'll get used to it. Speech is amusing. I can't pronounce a lot of words. I'm struggling with C, D,, G (G is REALLY hard which is great because the company I work for starts with a G!!) J is near on impossible, S, T is tricky too and SH's are hard. I think it's funny. Answering the phone will be hilarious for a week or so!
Overall though I'm really pleased with it so far. One evening in and the worst thing about it is that because my wonky fang teeth protrude (they're actually my upper lateral incisors but I've been calling them wonky fang teeth for so long!), the bar that straightens them at the front is sitting on top of them. There's a gap between the bar and my central incisors and because the bar at the front is about 2mm thick, it's pushing my top lip out. I look like Leslie Ash at her worst. I look like I've been punched in the mouth. I look like I've had an accident with a Botox needle. Still, slap on the lip gloss and rock it like you have to. People pay good money for this.....
I've got an appointment for next Wednesday for shaving.... I kinda haven't mentioned that bit yet. I'm a bit scared about it. I'll let you know more when I know more.
I did get a phonecall from the surgery this morning trying to rearrange my appointment because Mr Dentist is poorly again but I explained that I was only picking up my IA and could I just do that...? They agreed and off I went. Saw a different dentist obviously who was nice.
So, the big reveal of my new IA. It looks ok. Looks exactly how I expected to be honest.
Infact almost identical to this except mine is totally transparent.
The different dentist (I don't know his name so I will cal him Colin) explained about my new brace, that it was based on a push/pull theory with the springs. I'll be honest, I didn't really hear what Colin was talking about. I was far too excited. He fitted it for me.
Basically, they're all made specific to the individual so they'll be different but mine has a clear acrylic bar that goes across the front of my teeth, a spring mounted acrylic bar that pushes behind my teeth, 2 wired gap things that fit around one of my back teeth on each side.
It seemed to be quite easy to fit. Went in straight away. Was waiting for it to hurt or snap into place and it didn't. I'd read that it hurt when you put it in and took it out. I was a little worried that it wasn't hurting. It still doesn't hurt.
I fitted it myself and it really is easy. It just sort of fits at the back and then you just adjust the bar to the front and then adjust the bit at the back. Because of this self adjustment I now think I'm doing it wrong.
Also, it feels massive in my mouth. I knew it would. It's not uncomfortable at all but where my tongue has normally had the whole of my spacious mouth for a home, it feels like someone's just put up a fence up and cordoned off the roof of my mouth. I'm sure i'll get used to it. Speech is amusing. I can't pronounce a lot of words. I'm struggling with C, D,, G (G is REALLY hard which is great because the company I work for starts with a G!!) J is near on impossible, S, T is tricky too and SH's are hard. I think it's funny. Answering the phone will be hilarious for a week or so!
Overall though I'm really pleased with it so far. One evening in and the worst thing about it is that because my wonky fang teeth protrude (they're actually my upper lateral incisors but I've been calling them wonky fang teeth for so long!), the bar that straightens them at the front is sitting on top of them. There's a gap between the bar and my central incisors and because the bar at the front is about 2mm thick, it's pushing my top lip out. I look like Leslie Ash at her worst. I look like I've been punched in the mouth. I look like I've had an accident with a Botox needle. Still, slap on the lip gloss and rock it like you have to. People pay good money for this.....
I've got an appointment for next Wednesday for shaving.... I kinda haven't mentioned that bit yet. I'm a bit scared about it. I'll let you know more when I know more.
The Inman Aligner
So, after my successful visit to the dentist, I think I've finally found an alternative to veneers and fixed braces. I started looking up this mystery appliance and discover that it's called an Inman Aligner. http://www.inmanaligner.com
Basically, you wear it for 16-20 hours a day, it's removable, it's clear and it sounds ideal for what I want.
I found out through reading the manufacturer website and countless other websites that it's not for everyone. It will correct minimal wonkiness and overcrowding but cannot be used for severe orthodontic work. I only have a minor case so well in. I can take it out for singing, you have to take it out for eating and brushing your teeth anyway, and I can get most of the hours in a night or when I'm asleep. From what I can gather from a user forum I found (http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=26628&sid=594d39782c62091f644b15a63bd7b4a2) it's relatively painfree, quick to work, with good results. I admit to getting a little over excited in the surgery.
I made an appointment to make impressions the following week. Yes, I exhausted the joke about making an impression on the dentist!!
Week later, go for impressions *Happy Birthday Mister Dentist*. Sunny tells me that this bit is the most intrusive part of the whole process. Thank goodness! I didn't enjoy it at all.
To talk you through the process, the casts are taken by this really weird putty stuff. First of all the mould trays are tested to make sure they fit in your mouth. Top ones fine, bottom ones did not fit. Smallest set and they wouldn't go in. I revelled in the thought that my mouth was too small for a bit then Sunny jammed it in my mouth, declared "that'll do" and we moved on. Lovely dental nurse filled they tray up with this putty stuff and the trays went back in my mouth, and then forced onto my teeth to cast the right mould. Top and bottom. Took a couple of minutes to set or whatever it did. I listened and sort of "urgh"'d in agreeance while Dentist and dental nurse talked about Sunnys birthday plans. No, I didn't consider turning up!!
Removing the trays with my wonky fang teeth imprints in strange, cold putty clay stuff was fun. They have of course set now and are solid around my teeth. Pulling them away felt like my whole oral interior was going with it. I'm sure that must be how they perform teeth extraction...
So, impressions made to be sent off to be custom made for me. Appointment made for two weeks time to pick up my new appliance. Counting down the days.... I actually cannot wait!
Basically, you wear it for 16-20 hours a day, it's removable, it's clear and it sounds ideal for what I want.
I found out through reading the manufacturer website and countless other websites that it's not for everyone. It will correct minimal wonkiness and overcrowding but cannot be used for severe orthodontic work. I only have a minor case so well in. I can take it out for singing, you have to take it out for eating and brushing your teeth anyway, and I can get most of the hours in a night or when I'm asleep. From what I can gather from a user forum I found (http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=26628&sid=594d39782c62091f644b15a63bd7b4a2) it's relatively painfree, quick to work, with good results. I admit to getting a little over excited in the surgery.
I made an appointment to make impressions the following week. Yes, I exhausted the joke about making an impression on the dentist!!
Week later, go for impressions *Happy Birthday Mister Dentist*. Sunny tells me that this bit is the most intrusive part of the whole process. Thank goodness! I didn't enjoy it at all.
To talk you through the process, the casts are taken by this really weird putty stuff. First of all the mould trays are tested to make sure they fit in your mouth. Top ones fine, bottom ones did not fit. Smallest set and they wouldn't go in. I revelled in the thought that my mouth was too small for a bit then Sunny jammed it in my mouth, declared "that'll do" and we moved on. Lovely dental nurse filled they tray up with this putty stuff and the trays went back in my mouth, and then forced onto my teeth to cast the right mould. Top and bottom. Took a couple of minutes to set or whatever it did. I listened and sort of "urgh"'d in agreeance while Dentist and dental nurse talked about Sunnys birthday plans. No, I didn't consider turning up!!
Removing the trays with my wonky fang teeth imprints in strange, cold putty clay stuff was fun. They have of course set now and are solid around my teeth. Pulling them away felt like my whole oral interior was going with it. I'm sure that must be how they perform teeth extraction...
So, impressions made to be sent off to be custom made for me. Appointment made for two weeks time to pick up my new appliance. Counting down the days.... I actually cannot wait!
My New Dentist
So, I book an appointment for a check up with my old dental practice. Turns out, my old dentist has gone and been replaced by another dentist and other dentists. Book appointment for January, it gets cancelled. Dentist poorly. :o(
Rearranged appointment for 27th Jan 2010. Meet new dentist. He's young. His name is Sunny. I'm not entirely sure if I can call him Sunny or not or if I have to call him Dr *insert surname here*. Or if I even call him anything. He seems pretty cool though. Did I mention that he was hot? *blush* So, I almost immediately ask him about teeth straightening and he starts talking about this removable appliance that is spring based and costs a fraction of veneers. I get excited and almost agree to it there and then. I go away from the dentist that night with a little seed planted in my head (and if I'm honest, a little bit of a crush!)
Rearranged appointment for 27th Jan 2010. Meet new dentist. He's young. His name is Sunny. I'm not entirely sure if I can call him Sunny or not or if I have to call him Dr *insert surname here*. Or if I even call him anything. He seems pretty cool though. Did I mention that he was hot? *blush* So, I almost immediately ask him about teeth straightening and he starts talking about this removable appliance that is spring based and costs a fraction of veneers. I get excited and almost agree to it there and then. I go away from the dentist that night with a little seed planted in my head (and if I'm honest, a little bit of a crush!)
The Story So Far....
Ok, so this is going to be ramble after ramble, very boring to read and not at all interesting but I'll start right at the beginning because I think the history is important (and I have WAY too much time on my hands)
Age 6 or 7 - I told you it would be the beginning!!
I kissed too many boys. My teeth fell out. I was thrilled by this oral change. Not only was I growing up but because my teeth had started to fall out, it meant I'd soon be old enough to start Brownies :o) Oh, what I wouldn't do to go back to those times in my life again.... My "big teeth" arrived, I remember mostly just having 2 massive front teeth. Then I had a whole mouth full of new teeth. Nothing abnormal. Didn't really bother me. Although my two front teeth (Upper central incisors precisely) are HUGE!!
Age 9 - I had a school photo taken. I'm wearing a hidous green jumper with a row of white bunnies along the bottom (Well it is 1988!) My hair looks like I cut it myself, blindfolded, I have a million freckles and I have wonky fang teeth. Am quite convinced that this photograph affected my self-esteem for the rest of my school life, if not still.
Aged 15 - Still hate my two "wonky fang teeth". I think they're massive and no matter how many times I clean my teeth, they always seem yellow. I don't drink red wine (Well, I'm 15) I don't drink coffee, I do smoke. I ask my dentist again about getting them straightened with a brace. Before now, kids had removeable braces although for the last few years most braces were fixed "train track" braces and being 15, these people got ribbed for it (apart from Kirsty*. She was cool. No one dared to "diss" Kirsty, everyone loved Kirsty apparently!) (*Name hasn't been changed to protect her identity, she really was called Kirsty and she really was that popular!) Anyway, Dentist said I couldn't have a brace but maybe when I was older I could "choose" to get one. What she basically meant was "Not on the NHS love, but come back when you're 18 and we'll charge you a limb for it privately". No brace for me. Bothered by wonky fang teeth.
Aged 18 - Ask dentist again about getting wonky fang teeth straightened. For some reason she doesn't want me to have it done. Outrageous quotes with threat of 4 extractions. Not tempting...
Age 27 - Get new dentist. Speak to new dentist about straightening my top wonky fang teeth. I'm told I have 2 options. Porcelain veneers which will look incredible (think Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell) but will mean I have stumpy, prick teeth underneath and it'll cost me £3000 or fixed braces which I'll have to wear for 18-24 months. Now bearing in mind I now sing semi-professionally (which doesn't help towards my teeth paranoia at all) I have to be aware that a fixed brace is likely to affect my diction. I am starting to resign myself to having my wonky fang teeth forever. :o(
Age 30 - Get brand new dentist. Guess what the first thing I ask is....!?
Age 6 or 7 - I told you it would be the beginning!!
I kissed too many boys. My teeth fell out. I was thrilled by this oral change. Not only was I growing up but because my teeth had started to fall out, it meant I'd soon be old enough to start Brownies :o) Oh, what I wouldn't do to go back to those times in my life again.... My "big teeth" arrived, I remember mostly just having 2 massive front teeth. Then I had a whole mouth full of new teeth. Nothing abnormal. Didn't really bother me. Although my two front teeth (Upper central incisors precisely) are HUGE!!
Age 9 - I had a school photo taken. I'm wearing a hidous green jumper with a row of white bunnies along the bottom (Well it is 1988!) My hair looks like I cut it myself, blindfolded, I have a million freckles and I have wonky fang teeth. Am quite convinced that this photograph affected my self-esteem for the rest of my school life, if not still.
Aged 15 - Still hate my two "wonky fang teeth". I think they're massive and no matter how many times I clean my teeth, they always seem yellow. I don't drink red wine (Well, I'm 15) I don't drink coffee, I do smoke. I ask my dentist again about getting them straightened with a brace. Before now, kids had removeable braces although for the last few years most braces were fixed "train track" braces and being 15, these people got ribbed for it (apart from Kirsty*. She was cool. No one dared to "diss" Kirsty, everyone loved Kirsty apparently!) (*Name hasn't been changed to protect her identity, she really was called Kirsty and she really was that popular!) Anyway, Dentist said I couldn't have a brace but maybe when I was older I could "choose" to get one. What she basically meant was "Not on the NHS love, but come back when you're 18 and we'll charge you a limb for it privately". No brace for me. Bothered by wonky fang teeth.
Aged 18 - Ask dentist again about getting wonky fang teeth straightened. For some reason she doesn't want me to have it done. Outrageous quotes with threat of 4 extractions. Not tempting...
Age 27 - Get new dentist. Speak to new dentist about straightening my top wonky fang teeth. I'm told I have 2 options. Porcelain veneers which will look incredible (think Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell) but will mean I have stumpy, prick teeth underneath and it'll cost me £3000 or fixed braces which I'll have to wear for 18-24 months. Now bearing in mind I now sing semi-professionally (which doesn't help towards my teeth paranoia at all) I have to be aware that a fixed brace is likely to affect my diction. I am starting to resign myself to having my wonky fang teeth forever. :o(
Age 30 - Get brand new dentist. Guess what the first thing I ask is....!?
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