Interesting article. Waterpik is a related product (as in, for teeth and gums) that a dentist recommended. Anyone have experience using it - pros, cons?
I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
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Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#62This is really amazing, man. It's honestly the first 3D printing application I've seen that I can see quickly improving thousands of lives. Just to think of all the people who right now can't afford this procedure, that soon will be able to... it's just really wonderful.
Next I need someone to do orthopedic shoe inserts. Mine cost $600 and only fit my running shoes.
Wiiv[0] was recently crowdfunded. They make custom 3D-printed orthotic inserts created from photographic information via your smartphone. Sadly it won't be generally available for quite some time yet, but I have my hopes up.
There's also Superfeet[1]. They're not custom, but there's many options.
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#63Not to be a downer, but was any thought given to the safety of the plastic(s) used? This is something that's in your mouth a lot and constantly exposed to saliva. The Dimension 1200es mentioned doesn't appear to be specific to medical applications.[0] The product page lists the only compatible thermoplastic being ABSplus-P430 . The MSDS for that basically says the stuff is dangerous in molten form, and beyond that th…
The plastic used in real Invisalign is HDPE, the same stuff used in plastic water bottles. It can be 3d printed. Real Invisaligns are 3d printed with HDPE (I was a patient).
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
I used to wonder why people avoided dentists, but recently I cracked a molar and had to go to see a dentist. I was recommended a dentist in town, I showed up to a nice office full of nice people, they looked at my tooth and said they might be able to save it. So far, it was a pretty good experience. Then it got weird. They took me to a room with a business person who would discuss my "payment options and treatment pl…
Not to defend your particular dentist, but... > I asked if we could just do an extraction but they only responded with "Oh you don't want to do that!" (playfully) but legitimately not saying it was an option. I think dentists are culturally and by training pre-disposed to keeping your real teeth in your mouth. I've asked different dentists why and they get a hand-wavy, but they all say it's better if your real teeth…
It's because there are risks, up to infections that eats your face and might kill you, and the implant does not last forever.
I'm starting to get old, and I have realised that the trick is to keep all your body parts together until everything gives up at once :-)
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#65This also seems to have whitened his teeth at the same time ;), typical "before, after". But on a serious note, I had braces, after the were remove a wire was placed behind my teeth to keep them in place. It didn't stick to one of my ceramic teeth I had from an accident in my youth. The wire was removed and after some months my front two teeth were as far apart as ever. Ok, the overbite didn't return but things will…
I've been using 30% Carbamide Peroxide whitening gel in the trays for about 30 minutes a day. So yes, they are whiter.
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#66Not to be a downer, but was any thought given to the safety of the plastic(s) used? This is something that's in your mouth a lot and constantly exposed to saliva. The Dimension 1200es mentioned doesn't appear to be specific to medical applications.[0] The product page lists the only compatible thermoplastic being ABSplus-P430 . The MSDS for that basically says the stuff is dangerous in molten form, and beyond that th…
I used Keystone PROFORM .030" Retainer Material. Keystone is a dental supplier, so I trust the plastic is biologically inert.
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#67Interesting article. Waterpik is a related product (as in, for teeth and gums) that a dentist recommended. Anyone have experience using it - pros, cons?
I like mine. My dentist claims it's good to flush out what's loose after flossing and that waterpik is one of the few companies with enough pressure to actually clean too
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
I used to wonder why people avoided dentists, but recently I cracked a molar and had to go to see a dentist. I was recommended a dentist in town, I showed up to a nice office full of nice people, they looked at my tooth and said they might be able to save it. So far, it was a pretty good experience. Then it got weird. They took me to a room with a business person who would discuss my "payment options and treatment pl…
Some dentists can be pretty scummy. My mother in her early 60s didn't have dental insurance and went to a local dentist that was affordable for cleaning. She had a little bit pain in her mouth and her dentist recommended extracting all the teeth and replacing with implants for $1000s! She calls me up and I go visit with her to get an better idea. He gets ticked off because he though we were ready to go right ahead. I…
The Frontline episode on this topic is worth a watch http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/dollars-and-dentists/
My mom went to the dentist for (the beginnings of) a tooth infection and they tried to sell her a mouth guard that probably cost $1000 or so. There was no evidence at all that she was grinding her teeth.
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#69Earlier quoted context omitted.
I used to wonder why people avoided dentists, but recently I cracked a molar and had to go to see a dentist. I was recommended a dentist in town, I showed up to a nice office full of nice people, they looked at my tooth and said they might be able to save it. So far, it was a pretty good experience. Then it got weird. They took me to a room with a business person who would discuss my "payment options and treatment pl…
I know us Brits always harp on about the National Health Service, but if you can find a dentist with NHS spaces available locally then you're in good hands. But they're not without their commercial incentives either. And the waiting times can go into weeks for non-urgent work. Still, the costs are negligible in comparison. We perhaps pay in other ways...
I'm in the US. I've always waited weeks for non-urgent work.
Re: I made my own clear plastic tooth aligners and they worked
#70Earlier quoted context omitted.
It has not once in my life occurred to me to email my dentist.
I wonder why we avoid dentists? I know we all have the pain stories, but I think there's something else? As I gotten older, I just like to pretend they, along with MD's don't actually exist. What's ironic is I never met a dentist with the ego that seems to come with medical doctors. I've never met a dentist who was not a friendly person. I do feel bad when I can't respond to their questions with a mouth filled with c…
Smiling is incredibly important! Didn't put that part in on a lark- I really am noticeably happier for feeling like I can unselfconsciously smile.