Dental question...

[DBailey]

I have recently started my Invisalign treatment. As a quick run down, the Invisalign system is a clear plastic mouthpiece (for lack of a better term) that fits perfectly over your teeth. Every two weeks I change to the next set of the mouthpieces. Each set moves the teeth slightly. After about 18 months I will have the same results as if I would have gone with wire braces. The nice thing is that I can take these out to eat, brush and floss.

Ok, on to my diving question. These still leave air gap that might need to need equalized. Since it is in my mouth, will the normal breathing process equalize these? Any dentists out there that wouldn't recommend diving with them in for whatever reason? Anyone know divers that have them and dive with them in?

I plan to run some trials in control environments to test for squeeze and regulator issues in both a pool and quarry. I want to make sure the regulator doesn't catch or snag on the edges, and the squeeze part is self explainatory.

I have some dive intensive vacations coming up and it would be easier to leave them in my mouth rather than taking them out for each dive. The treatment is based on wearing them 20-22 hours per day. Plus taking them in and out can lead to loss of the mouthpieces.

 

[H2Andy]

are the mouthpieces airtight?

if not, then i would think you wouldn't have a problem. basically, the problem with
teeth is reverse squeeze (on the way up) due to an air pocket developing in a loose filling or through tooth decay; on the way up, the air expands and causes pain.

if your mouthpiece is airtight, it would make it harder for that air to escape and
thus increase the pain.

but if the mouthpiece is not airtight, then you should be ok. remember, teeth are
not compressible.

(i am not a doc, etc. etc.)

 

[bob1dp]

I'm not a dentist but I would avoid using them during diving. Why risk losing them or other complications.

 

[DBailey]

I'm not a dentist but I would avoid using them during diving. Why risk losing them or other complications.

That is how I am leaning right now, but I haven't completely ruled out wearing them. I guess the worst case senario is that I have to wear the current set a little bit longer (three weeks instead of two) since I will have them out most of the time on my vacations when you consider diving and eating.

They are not airtight, but since they are computer generated based on a mold of my teeth, I wonder if there will be airtight pockets.

For curiousity sake, I will try them out in the pool, but in the long run why add the possible complication.

 

[SueMermaid]

Lucky. I want those. I apparently can't have them though.

 

[cmm1970]

First, I am a dentist in Austin.

Wearing the trays while diving would be OK. No squeeze will happen. That being said, it will aggravate your orthodontist if you lose a tray while diving so I would advise removing them just like when you eat and replacing them after your dive. That way, you won't lose the tray and aggravate your D.D.S.

 

[cmm1970]

First, I am a dentist in Austin.

Wearing the trays while diving would be OK. No squeeze will happen. That being said, it will aggravate your orthodontist if you lose a tray while diving so I would advise removing them just like when you eat and replacing them after your dive. That way, you won't lose the tray and aggravate your D.D.S.

 

[DBailey]

Thanks for everyone's repsonses. I have aske my dentist and orthodontist the same questions, but neither have diving knowledge; therefore, they just gave very vague answers.

 

[Laurence Stein DDS]

Thanks for everyone's repsonses. I have aske my dentist and orthodontist the same questions, but neither have diving knowledge; therefore, they just gave very vague answers.

cmm1970 is indeed correct. The device must be removed before diving and then replaced. This would be cumbersome on a dive boat or at the beach and it certainly would be very easy to missplace one.

Being in Invisalign treatment is not a diving contraindication, just don't wear the devices during the dive. However, as you change the devices for the next in the series, your teeth may be sore. As a result, holding the regulator in your mouth may be uncomfortable. You will have to decide if a dive on a particular day is possible.

Also, any orthodontic treatment may precipitate jaw joint and muscle tenderness. You jaws may become sore during the dive. Usually, the use of aspirin or ibuprofen will suffice...if you are not allergic. If you are very sore, dive another time.

Laurence Stein, DDS