Anyone know if it's OK to leave a spring aligner out sometimes?

Rud Annamh

The obvious response is: ask your orthodontist.

Aside from her lack of bedside manner, when I got the braces fitted two weeks ago, she said just to take it out to clean it.

So, I imagine that she, or any ortho, would say the same.

But, I can't eat with it in, and I find speaking embarrassing, so I've been leaving it out for up to four hours a day I'd say, including meals and work phone calls or meetings.

Anyone know if it will still work on this basis? I will ask the ortho next visit, but I would like a realistic rather than idealistic response.

It's a TP Orthodontics spring aligner - I was all set for invisible aligners, but when the moulds were sent to the lab, they said that it I'd need the spring aligner for six months.

Can't resist using a straight-toothed smiley

Oral Surgeon

Rud Annamh wrote: »

The obvious response is: ask your orthodontist.

Aside from her lack of bedside manner, when I got the braces fitted two weeks ago, she said just to take it out to clean it.

So, I imagine that she, or any ortho, would say the same.

But, I can't eat with it in, and I find speaking embarrassing, so I've been leaving it out for up to four hours a day I'd say, including meals and work phone calls or meetings.

Anyone know if it will still work on this basis? I will ask the ortho next visit, but I would like a realistic rather than idealistic response.

It's a TP Orthodontics spring aligner - I was all set for invisible aligners, but when the moulds were sent to the lab, they said that it I'd need the spring aligner for six months.

Can't resist using a straight-toothed smiley

I know that its not the answer that you want to hear but.... leaving this out 4 hours a day is doing you no favors Imo...
First you slow down or halt movement...
Second, putting pressure on a tooth, then allowing it to relax back to where it was and on and on and on risks causing root resorption... not good...

If wearing this is a problem for you maybe fixed braces would be better for you?

But most worrying of all; what the hell is your orthodontist doing by your bedside?????

By the way, I'm no orthodontist.......

Rud Annamh

Thanks. Not what I wanted to hear indeed, but makes sense. Plus always happy to learn a new word (resorption).

Don't oral surgeons make bedside visits? You need to change career...

Oral Surgeon

Rud Annamh wrote: »

Don't oral surgeons make bedside visits? You need to change career...

No, I don't... chair-side is close enough for me:D:D