Smartie Retainer Remover

This is not the miracle I expected, but it does help. I am only on my second set of aligners and got these after 4 days of the 1st set. It helped me pop up that edge so I could then use a napkin and grab and pull. The thing I hate most about invisalign is having to put my whole hand in my mouth to get them out! This does help. I lost it one day and it was in the freshly changed trash can bag, thank goodness. It's not that big so keep it somewhere safe and don't toss it by mistake!

I don't know how this has negative reviews!I've had my Invisalign for almost 2 years and have another several months to go. I have 24 attachments and 2 elastics. I've tried multiple remover positions, and based on my attachments, this is by far the easiest way to go for me. If you try to use this removal tool like you would when prying your aligners out with your fingers, it won't work well.This is what I do:For my upper aligner, I rest the scoop down on the aligner beside my back molar, and place it sideways in my mouth to use the opposite teeth for leverage (see pic). I use only my thumb and press up very slightly and the aligner pops off at that side and I can pull it out.For my lower aligner, I place it scoop side up on the aligner beside my back molar and push up. It pops the aligner off the back few teeth, then I can get it out easily.I don't scrape my teeth and this never touches my gums. I take this with me everywhere I go, and my dentist has said she likes it since the plastic ones with little hooks damage aligners. I can't comment myself on those plastic tools since I haven't used them, but I imagine they break eventually and need to be thrown away, and more purchased, and more thrown away.Obviously, take out your elastics first, I didn't for the pictures.This is expensive, but consider that it is a LIFETIME investment...once you finally get out of your corrective aligners, you will have retainers to wear for the REST OF YOUR LIFE, and they need to be removed too.

this was the first of two removers i purchased upon getting invisalign, wherein neither my ortho or his staff mentioned the fact that, with 15+ attachments, they are all but impossible to remove with your hands. i was initially pretty pleased with this, and again, it does the job, but had later found 'the pul tool' - which is amazingly easier and smaller. this WILL work, as apparently does a crochet hook, but it's not as easy as this other thing. i have to say after 1 week of trying to rip the wicked things off my teeth, i was happy to have any tool at all.

This tool is perfect for removing retainers. My most recent retainers are Invisalign and when placed at the orthodontist office, I couldn't budge them to get them off. My previous retainers were an easy-in/easy-out. I was beginning to get a tad panicky and was given a plastic retainer removal tool which finally was successful but not an easy task. Two of my fingernails split down to where they are connected to skin, YIPESAt home, I worked feverishly with the plastic tool with final success but not without a lot of work.I began looking online for a different tool and decided to try the Smartie Tool since it seemed like an alternative.TIPS:1.After fiddling with it for a bit, I figured out that, for me, the best is to hold the tool, horizontally, totally parallel to the ceiling and floor.2. I also hold the tool very close to the top (the part that will be placed on the retainer"s edge [in the back]).3. There is no hook, the idea is to hold it flat at the top of the retainers's edge.Top Retainer:4. Gently, start pushing up and down on the ledge of the retainer while keeping pressure in a downward motion5 The retainer will begin to move downward6. Keep the pressure in the downward movement as you continue the up and down motion7. Eventually, it will come offBottom Retainer:8. The same horizontal positioning on the ledge of the retainer9. Begin: pushing up in and up and down motion while applying pressure: upward10. Keep a steady pressure, this time, moving upward and the retainer will releaseI'm going to recommend that my orthodontist use this great tool.

OHMYGOSH - this is GREAT! I read the negative reviews - those people don't know how to use it. I have tried several removers, including a very small crochet hook. Any HOOK sort of device just isn't your friend. You run the risk of damaging your tray. This device acts more like fingernails and it is PERFECT. I promise you!It's durable and will serve you very well. I wish it came in a little pouch because I like carrying it with me. I put it in a plastic snack bag.Practice - feel how it hits the tray. Take your time - gentle tug - you can switch sides of your mouth several times as you dislodge it. People who need a LOT of correction have a bit more trouble getting their Invisalign braces off. So take the time to learn how it works for you - it is MUCH BETTER than a hook type of device.I am 63 and have arthritis in my hands - it's hard for me to use my hands to get my Invisalign braces off. I realized I will have to deal with this forever! You get a retainer when your correction is complete. I don't want to have issues with my hands - so I am THRILLED with this tool!As for the cost - you're spending four grand on the Invisalign, so it seems that a tool to make it a LOT easier to remove them is definitely worth $15. In fact, I bought two - one for home and one in my bag.DO NOT listen to the negative reviews. They just don't know how to use it. LOOK at it. THINK about how it works. Don't just start digging in your mouth - use your intelligence and you'll understand it. I've used five different tools - THIS is the one. The others went into the trash.