Invisalign - anybody done it with big fillings, crowns etc. I have 4 questions! Please help :-)

[BumbleLyon]

My teeth have been my bete noire my whole life and I had a consultation with an orthodontist who recommended Invisalign. Problem is, I'm old and have old teeth. I can't imagine ripping these aligners off my 30 year old fillings! I'd love to hear about any experience with this and have four burning questions:

1. How bad is it taking them off?
2. How badly did it interfere with your life?
3. Did it mess with your dental work?
4. Was it worth it or do you regret it?

I feel like I'm on the cusp of making a huge decision and a huge final investment and I'm dithering!

Unless your fillings are loose taking aligners off isn't going to be a problem. They're not like toffee and won't yank your fillings out! Best to have a full dental check up before you go for your scans for the aligners so you can get any work done beforehand. There's an invisalign reddit thread that's worth a look and loads of youtube experience videos.

Thank you, I have had the check ups etc and they say all will be fine but...I've always been so careful with my dental hygiene because im nervous of these ancient fillings and I just need to get over the idea that by poking them like this I'll do damage

The key thing is to keep your teeth and mouth clean which means constant brushing, flossing, gargling etc. The constant brushing, aligner wear and tooth movement can contribute to gum recession but if your gums are in good condition it should be fine. If your orthodonist has recommended it, they must think you're a suitable candidate.

I've had Invisalign as an adult, with big old fillings and crowns. It was fine! One gets to be an expert at flicking the aligners out with very little bother.

@Dragonmead really?! It just looks so tight!! Did you find it painful? And did it really interfere with your enjoyment of life? They reckon it'd be about a year for me

@BumbleLyon

I found the aligners really tight and quite painful for the first couple of days when I changed them, but it was worth it for the end result.

I did alter my eating and drinking habits so I had to take them out fewer times, no cups of tea in between meals, no snacks, and I did clean my teeth after every meal.

The orthodontists said that all of their patients were way better at getting out their aligners than they themselves were, so they never attempted to take anyone's out at office visits.

@Dragonmead no pain, no gain I guess! I need to bite the bullet!

You won't regret it!

I think that's what I need to hear, I need a push!

It’s absolutely fine.

It’s all fingers and thumbs for about the first 5/6 days but it’s soon so easy you’ll pop them in and out without thinking about it.

Fillings won’t make any difference, my dentist didn’t even mention mine.

I’m really glad I did it, has made a huge difference to my confidence and my face.

And I personally did not find it painful, I had maybe 4 or 5 nights across 6 months of treatment that I had any kind of discomfort and even then it was only the nights when I’d swapped my tray so you do expect a few niggles.

Go for it!

Ooh do it! It's brilliant having straight teeth after ages of crooked ones, you'll be grand!

One of my kids is three weeks into treatment. The second day was really painful. By day 4 they had got used to them. I'm so pleased they had it done. They hated their teeth and was so glad to finally get it underway.

I'm on the cusp of signing up for this too! Have had all the scans and clin check etc and just need to say yes and pay the money... I'm only holding off because it feels like such a lot of money but I'm pretty sure I'm going to do it.

I'm old with fillings and crowns too op. We can be Invisalign buddies if you like!

[quote Dragonmead]@BumbleLyon

I found the aligners really tight and quite painful for the first couple of days when I changed them, but it was worth it for the end result.

I did alter my eating and drinking habits so I had to take them out fewer times, no cups of tea in between meals, no snacks, and I did clean my teeth after every meal.

The orthodontists said that all of their patients were way better at getting out their aligners than they themselves were, so they never attempted to take anyone's out at office visits.[/quote]

I agree with @Dragonmead - the first few days with a new tray could be uncomfortable but nothing more than that.

I changed my eating habits in the same way.

Definitely worth it.

@belimoo up for that!

It sounds like the interruption to life is worth it. I can't imagine planning my meals, days out, even having a cup of coffee around this for a year but it sounds like the anticipation is worse than the actuality?

How was the IPR? That sounds...not so nice!

I have just finished Invisalign and cannot recommend it enough. A few trays were uncomfortable to start and at the very beginning the attachments shredded my mouth when eating but was fine in days

1. They're super easy to take off. I've never struggled.
2. It doesn't.
3. No but my teeth are perfectly healthy and it did make them temporarily a little wobbly. I queried this and was told this can happen and it settled v quickly. I was slightly overthinking it but apparently it's not unusual
4. Definitely worth it. I only did the very cheapest quickest package on one jaw though as I had braces many years before so the amount they needed to move was minimal

It's really straightforward to do and I always keep mine in these days now out of habit. I do wonder what would've happened if I lost one of the retainers though!

Thanks @Solasum , how long did it take you? Did the process really interrupt your life? Did your teeth get wobbly? I have so many questions! I so want to do it but I'm scared of the process and wish I could click my fingers and have it done. Once you start the IPR etc there's no going back!

I started in April and have just finished. There were a few teeth that felt looser at times, but never properly wobbly. As Pp have said, you get really good at popping them in and out. I carried on exactly as normal and if eating out would just pop to the loo just before food arrived, then back in as soon as possible. Only one person commented all year that I had them in, people are not really very observant I think. After a while you get used to them

@Solasum

Glad to hear people didn't really notice - I'd need attachments on my front teeth so feel like they wouldn't be invisible at all. Did you let yourself have coffee with them in? My orthodontist said just water -
Gosh!

Following this thread with interest. I need to do something about my teeth. They make me unhappy everytime I see myself on camera. How much does invisalign cost on average? I would need that then composite bonding on the bottom of my teeth and a gap filling in I think.

@Teenstress11 it costs £4000 for comprehensive, that's why I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing and that it's not a hellish experience :-) So i really appreciate people sharing their experiences

Go for it! I did it a couple of years ago in my 50's. The (small) inconvenience is worth it for the results. You do have to be mindful when eating out etc to remove your aligners for the least possible time, but you get used to it. Also no problem with fillings, or a bridge.

@pansypotter123 thank you! How long was your treatment? Glad to hear the inconvenience was on the small side. I'm a huge tea and coffee drinker so guess I'll have to train myself out of that!