Tell me of your Invisalign stories

[TaraR2020]

I'm planning to get Invisalign a bit later this year, please tell me of your experiences...

I'm confident it will straighten what it needs to, but what's it like living with them day to day?

I read that I wouldn't be able to drink tea or coffee? Is this true?

What tips do you have for keeping them clean and clear?

I also use a bit guard at night - I'm guessing I'll need new ones as treatment progresses but forgot to ask my dentist - how did you manage Invisalign with bite guards?

How long can you keep them out for mealtimes realistically? I've read that you have to eat as quickly as possible...does this mean no leisurely dates over a 3 course meal?

Following. I just had the scans taken and have a follow up in 3 weeks but worried I haven't thought it through properly.

Shamelessly following. Got my appointment for the moulds in a few weeks. Had my initial consultation and X-rays so far

I had a fantastic experience with Invisalign - really the key is finding a good orthodontist. I did lots of research into local ones and was very glad I did as the clinic has been more than amazing. I have had some friends go with regular dentists but the results haven’t been great tbh. Treatment is definitely more advanced with orthos who do it day in day out rather than a dentist doing it as a side hustle.

Eating/drinking wise I really just lived my life as normal. Sounds gross but if at home I sometimes snacked with the aligners in as it is actually good for them (chewing makes them fit more snug to your teeth) and obviously means you’re not missing out on wear time. Some orthos recommend it. I’m not a coffee/tea drinker so can’t comment on that but I do know drinking hot drinks with them in is a big no no as it can melt the plastic. If I wanted to drink juice or similar with them in I just used a straw and swished with water afterwards to avoid the sugar being trapped between aligners and teeth. Staining was never an issue for me and considering you’re only wearing them for a week at a time it’s not a huge problem if it does happen. If mine were getting a little less clear than I wanted retainer brite always fixed it. I wouldn’t worry about wear time too much - if you want to go out for a long 3 course meal, do it. As long as you average 20-22 hours a day most other days you will be fine.

The first few days are quite painful but after that I never felt the need to use painkillers again. The day after aligner changes your teeth can be a bit tender but this does decrease the further you get into treatment.

That's great @clipclop5 :)

I'm pretty confident with the dentist I'm using, though I've time to do further checks. I've consulted with a few over the last few years and this one feels right for a number of reasons, plus seems to be well respected within the industry.

Your comments about eating/drinking are reassuring thank you, I'd still go ahead with it anyway but I'm glad not to have to give up tea or coffee!

I've had some orthodontics before and remember the headaches after tightening well, hopefully any next time won't be as bad but it sounds cope-able anyway.

If anyone has any thoughts on invisalign while using a bite guard at night, I'd appreciate hearing them!

I am on tray eight of 14 (invisalign lite) - however I'm basically on the cusp of being able to get away with invisalign lite so I have been warned I may well need more trays after the 14.
They are super weird at first but you definitely do get used to them fast. I remember seeing people saying that when I first had them on and thinking it couldn't possibly be true, but it is.
The biggest challenge for me has been learning to eat and drink fast - I am naturally a slow eater and I love taking my time over lengthy meals and working my way through a pot of coffee over the course of a morning. Nope, not with invisalign. If you want the results, you do have to be strict with the times you have them out, and that means eating/drinking quite quickly, then popping them back in. So yes, a three-course meal would be tricky (although for a special occasion I think a one-off is fine). If I know I will want to have them out for longer in the evening, I try to be even more efficient earlier in the day, and often have one big brunch rather than breakfast and lunch separately. I just keep reminding myself that this isn't forever :)
Personally I wouldn't ever eat with them in - you are encouraged to chew on little rubbery things to help 'seat' the aligners, but I can't imagine eating being good for them. However, my ortho did say that it's ok to drink G&T/white wine/prosecco with them in from time to time, as long as you brush your teeth and clean the trays afterwards. This has been such a help for me - not because I drink a ton but it means I can enjoy a drink before a meal out at my leisure. I am just careful never to drink anything (bar water) with them in without brushing my teeth quite soon afterwards.
Overall I'm very happy I took the plunge - I am starting to see a difference and finding it easier to floss as my teeth are becoming less crowded so they are cleaner too. I am paying £2.5k for top and bottom inc whitening, retainers etc, and this is for the 14 week course. Good luck OP!

Thank you so much!

Have been quoted for invisalign lite too, I'm genuinely excited, I've wanted it done for so long, I just want to make sure I don't get too carried away and have thought about all the downsides.

Job hunting atm and as soon as I've landed another permanent one I'm pressing the GO button