I'm on my first week of Invisalign. AMA

[Moulez]

I type this chomping on a chewie

What % discount are they giving you for posting about it on here?

I'm getting a few refinement trays! Which as much as I want to be finished, is definitely the right decision

Oh, you can imagine they're paying me thousands to post on a niche parenting website under an alias

From my dentist… having just googled it I can see you’re right but at the time (2.5 years ago) he told me to keep them in. They worked perfectly? Didn’t stain or anything. Maybe the advice has changed since as he’s a very experienced dentist with 25 years of experience.

Hello to the aligner newbies 🙂 hope it’s going well. I’m on my second round of aligners (not Invisalign brand, dentist-led). I had them from August 2023- July 2024 and they were great and was 95% done when I decided that was good enough and stopped. there was still a bit of a misalignment in my front top 4 and they were being awkward so decided I was done and end treatment. I even got a retainer wire fitted and was just wearing retainer 4-5 nights a week.

well I just kept noticing this little imperfection whenever I looked in the mirror and although I was 95% happy I knew it would always niggle me

so here I am 18 months later having a revision for 6 further trays (any revisions within 3 years are included in my original plan)

6 trays over 60 days should hopefully get me perfect. Im on tray 2 of 6 and I already know I’ve done the right thing I can see it already!
a bit lispy and sore but better than first time round So ask me anything as well!

So here I am on week 5
i've now got attachments on my teeth and it's affected my bite down somehow unclear how but I'll ask the orthodontist next time.
Can see that the tricky moving backwards tooth on my bottom row is definitely moving. Last appointment I had a bit of filing of top and bottom teeth to make space for movement which was fine actually.
I think I listen too much rather hysterical over cleaning on TikTok. If I'm out I have a mini toothbrush, at work I have a normal toothbrush and if I snack I just brushed my teeth when I'm next time upstairs, but agree with everybody that snacking is more hassle than it's worth.

Definitely think that my lips are different with it. On the sub reddit , it says that your lines from your nose to your mouth go because your teeth stick out more.

Also looking back, the head cold I had for the first two weeks of having it definitely masked any discomfort because it seemed just like my whole head was a mess. I think you feel a little bit bit of jaw ache as if you've been to the dentist and had to have your mouth open for too long while they pros around in it.

Oh I also Drink coffee with it in. That was a little pain in the neck originally, but I change mine every week and cleaning with the zinc so don't worry about staining.

I also had 16 trays and like you it took about 7 months. Do you wear your retainer religiously every night? I sometimes skip a night now and then but i am worried about my teeth moving back when I forked out £3500 for these.

OP do you use chewies alot i only felt the need for them early on in my treatment.

Yes I wear the retainer every night as I don't have the fixed wire so I'm always worried about them moving. They have moved slightly since I went to night time wear but not enough for anyone to notice other than me 😃

I stick to the 22 hours because I'm a nerd

I tend to use chewy in the morning when I'm done what I would refer to as "the big brush " 😆 and they're set in for a good five hours. And in the first few days of each different tray.

context: I know nothing about Invisalign.

what are chewies?

what are trays?

thank you 🦷

The clear brace is called a tray. Most have two obv. Most change once a week
a chewy looks like a plastic wotsit. You chew on it to shove the tray tight onto your teeth.

I’m due to start Invisalign next week, I’m really interested to hear how you are getting on now and if you have noticed any changes at all or is it still too soon?

Do you use an ultrasonic pod to clean the trays and do you have any tips to make the first few weeks any easier?

Is there anything you do now that you didn’t do in the first few weeks?

Sorry I have so many questions.

I’m planning on following all the advice I’m given to give myself the chance of the best possible results as I absolutely hate my teeth as they are and this is something I’ve needed to do for a very long time, I have never felt brave enough before and I have always convinced myself that the money should be spent on something else instead, now at 55 I finally feel ready!

Hello!
yes but Imperceptible to anyone else
yes the Zima one
I drink coffee with them in now

I'm still hitting 22 hours a day.

i bought disposable toothbrushes for after a restaurant meal.
normal toothbrush at work
you'll find you drink so much water and at the start lip balm all the time

4.5k?!?! For 6 months work? I had them, I was estimated 6 months but had them for 7 and it cost 2.2k

Thank you, What is your opinion of the Zima pod and did you get the standard or the pro option? I’ve been looking at them today, they are more expensive than other options but at this stage I feel I’ve paid so much money for the aligners that I want to take as much care of them as I can.

I’m tempted by the bundle that has the UV case too.

I was the same as you. I thought I wanted to do things properly but to be honest, they barely stain and if you're changing every week you could probably manage without it.

@Coconutter24well done

Thank you, I think (at least initially) I will be on two weeks changes, I’m sure I’ll end up ordering it just to be safe.
Look forward to hearing your updates as I will be a few months behind you.

I've literally just swapped over (Tuesday night is my swap over day) and the new braces feel pleasingly tight
By the way, definitely download the TrayMinder app. It's really good when you're forgetful at the beginning.

Thank you, will do that now in case I forget!

Not really a well done moment is it, more of a question of why did it cost so much for you?