Invisalign help!

[Spring1988]

Hello, I’ve just had Invisalign done today and I’m worrying myself a little…!! I struggled to get the retainers off, I had to keep going back to try, is there any tips? My dentist said to remove them from the back but does this mean I can’t pull up at all from the front? I’m worried about breaking them?Is the first week the worst stage?! 🫠

It gets easier for sure. Did your dentist give you a little tool for helping ease them off? I used mine the first few times then didn't need to. Don't pull from the front only or they might split.

Get a removal tool from Amazon, it’s like a little hook! You slip it under the back edge and lift up on one side, you might be able to get the whole thing off then - if not do the same on the other side. They’re super strong, I normally just unhook one side and pull off, they’ve never broke from me doing that in over a year 😊 it just means you need to start unhooking from the back where it’ll be loose, rather than the front which is tighter and kept in place by the back bits.

Well I always take mine off from the front! Never had mine break at all & I'm on week 21 & take them off around 4 times a day

It gets easier. I just used my nails, removing them from the back. Also, as the week goes on they get looser, as your teeth move, so easier to remove. Then you start over the next week!

Also yes the first few days are the worst as you get used to it. I have elastic bands & I found them quite fiddly to put back on but that was my only real problem & I got used to it after a few days

Thanks everyone ❤️ It did come with a hook tool actually, do you use this on the inner part or outer part at the back or does this not matter? My friend recommended them to me and hers came out super easy so I’m hoping it’s just early days, I do have quite a few of the ‘bumps’ on my teeth, which does make it tricky to get off. Apparently I’ll only need them for 6 months which would be great but doesn’t seem long?

Just incase anyone else is in the same boat and comes across this post / an update for everyone that took the time to reply ❤️- I’m pleased to say today has been no trouble at all and I’ve got my retainers out in seconds, I do find the tool handy but what an improvement, I was starting to worry I’d made a big mistake! 😅 All good now :-)

I’ve just done my first 2 weeks with them in and they were really difficult to get out for the first few days, not to mention sore because I had two ulcers on my top lip from the day they were fitted. I’m having my next set this week and wondering if they’re going to be hard to remove again for a few days. Mine is predicted to take 4 months but have been given 5 months for full treatment

I never found them hard to remove. I just give them a good yank. At my check up my orthodontist took them out for me & she was so rough she managed to take off an attachment from my tooth as well! At least I was in the right place...!
With new aligners I sometimes find the bands are a bit tricky to get on so I just pull the hooks out a bit & they go on easier

I’m not sure what the hooks are I don’t have them. I just have a few bits stuck to my teeth. To take mine out I just pull them down from the back on both sides then the middle and they come out easy enough now. The dentist did say they’d be a bit tight at first. I was convinced I was going to accidentally pull my teeth out at the start!!

The hooks are attached to the aligners if you have bands