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Author Topic: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...  (Read 4964 times)

Offline alexR1

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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?


Offline bracessd

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Re: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...
« Reply #1 on: 07. December 2018, 18:40:55 PM »
I think you should stick to what you really want and not change your order based on what others might think!

Offline alexR1

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Re: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...
« Reply #2 on: 07. December 2018, 19:58:48 PM »
Thanks - that’s reassured me. Just hope an orthodontist doesn’t randomly stop me in the street and ask why, as an adult, I’m wearing an Activator!  :)

Offline retained

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Re: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...
« Reply #3 on: 08. December 2018, 01:24:01 AM »
I think the chances of that happening are almost nil and, in any case, there are exceptions to everything.
Do what feels good. If anyone asks you about the appliance, half of the fun is talking about it whilst wearing it and just not giving away too much information. No one could possibly WANT to wear such a device (!) so you need to make it seem a chore after some surgery and you cant wait to get it off.

Offline alexR1

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Re: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...
« Reply #4 on: 08. December 2018, 11:39:04 AM »
Thank you - they were basically my thoughts too but, having been challenged on this forum that adults don't wear activators, I had a slight "wobble". I agree with everything you say re. the thrill of being asked about either orthopaedic or orthodontic braces!

Offline Miketehcat

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Re: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...
« Reply #5 on: 08. December 2018, 14:48:19 PM »
I also agree with everyone above, it’s about the thrill of wearing the appliance! I also have a functional appliance (twin block) that would most likely not be worn by someone in my age group according to literature, but average people know next to nothing about orthodontics! Enjoy your activator, and have fun!

Offline Milva

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Re: Ordered an Activator with Tongue Crib & Pelottes - but I'm an adult...
« Reply #6 on: 26. August 2022, 15:15:07 PM »
I'm absolutely sure that this will never happen.

Anyway, should it eve occur, just tell him/her that you are not an orthodontist and that you are simply doing as your dentist tells you to do.

May be he/she will consider his colleague to be very stupid... ;)


quote author=alexR1 link=topic=11863.msg122539#msg122539 date=1544205528]
Thanks - that’s reassured me. Just hope an orthodontist doesn’t randomly stop me in the street and ask why, as an adult, I’m wearing an Activator!  :)
[/quote]