Hello all,
I have ordered a blue Activator with tongue crib, headgear tubes and pelottes (plus combination headgear to accompany it) from the Braces Shop which I am ooking forward to receiving (Ive yet to get the impression kit though due to Christmas break). To be honest, it actuall looks more like a Frankel appliance with all the wires in front of the teeth (which is good!
)
I thought all was fine until I have chatted on this forum and, subsequently also undertaken some internet research... I have been told that functional appliances (e.g. Activator) are generally only used in children and teenagers until growth has stopped (late teens). My internet research has, however, uncovered two or three "real" orthodontic practices spread around the world who DO advocate the use of functional appliances in certain adult cases.
My worry is that I have ordered something that, if worn in public, might appear unrealistic(?). I realise that 99.9% of lay people would not even know what a functional appliance is let alone what age group it should be used on but, being a perfectionist, I am nevertheless slightly concerned.
I am wondering if I should alter my order; trouble is I really like the look of the Activator especially if (as I have requested) the Braces Shop replace the spring and, instead, cover the entire roof of mouth with plastic plus add teeth clasps to keep it firmly in place. I don't want fake brackets (had them before and the brackets / wire is not that realistic as it moves around when you talk and especially when you eat). That really only leaves all the removable and largely functional appliances that are generally not worn by adults (albeit, I've found a few places on the internet that disagree with the common view).
Any thoughts on what I should do?
