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Original poster

Does Invisalign get better??

76 replies

WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 11:24

I have had Invisalign trays now for only 5 days.
I'm massively regretting it. It's expensive. And an utter pain in the backside.
I'm sick of it so much.
The tray is hard to put in and take out. I have attachments on my teeth which is no doubt making it harder.
I've tried using Invisalign tools - don't know if I'm using them wrong but they're not helping. Feel like I'm ripping my teeth out.

I only had one tooth at the front that started to overlap my front tooth which is why I went for it. But I wish I hadn't. I really wish I hadn't.
If I cancel it now I don't get any money back so I will see it through.

Does anyone have any advice?
Does it get better or easier?
Is it worth it???
I'm thoroughly fed up of it already.

OP posts:
Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 03/01/2022 20:59

My retailer still aches a bit when I put it in. But that's because the teeth are moving back to where the invisalign wants them to go.

I found the trays very invasive for the first couple of weeks and had sore spots inside my cheeks, dry lips and hadctoo much saliva in my mouth. But I adjusted and soon forgot they were in. I'm a teacher so talk all day

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 03/01/2022 20:59

Retainer not retailer 😁

Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:00

@CatherineCawood
Oh my god 22 attachments! How on earth did you cope?! I'm struggling with just a few!
I'm really hoping I won't need any more than these 14 trays. It must be only a very slight movement with each tray as I've looked at the next 4 I have and they all look exactly the same. I don't know what I was expecting really.

OP posts:

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Dental health
MyAnacondaMight · 03/01/2022 21:01

It gets better. After a month or so my teeth got loose and so it no longer hurt, as they moved much more freely. Eating anything hard, however, was suddenly terrifying.

Whenever you’re struggling, go and search for some invisalign before and after shots on Google or Instagram etc. - it really helps keep the motivation up.

WellThisIsShit · 03/01/2022 21:02

Do you think a child could cope with Invisalign? Are they worse than normal braves?

Crimbles · 03/01/2022 21:02

OP I was exactly the same as you at the beginning of my treatment. Full of regret, super self conscious and hating it. Now i'm on tray 11 out of 14 (so the end is in sight) and my teeth are almost perfect! I am so so happy with the results.

It does feel very alien at first, but I promise by tray 2/3 it will feel much more normal to wear your invisalign. Stick with it, it's worth it!

Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:03

@Aquafizzle

Oh and another added benefit is that they stop you snacking as you don't want to hoover down a bag of cheetos and not brush your teeth afterwards before putting them back in and it becomes too much of a chore to bother!
That's definitely been happening. If I've wanted something to eat I've thought 'god is it worth it for all the effort of spending ages taking them out, brushing teeth.. pain of putting them back in.. etc'. So I'm trying to eat more at meal times. Mainly because I'm pregnant so I'm getting hungry more. But snacking is too much effort now.

Apparently if you've had an eating disorder, you're encouraged not to have Invisalign for this reason too.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:05

@Invasionofthegutsnatchers
I 100% will be wearing a retainer for bed.
I used to have a brace and my teeth have been super straight since then - until 18 months ago.
When I had the brace years ago, the dentist told me not to wear a retainer for bed afterwards because my teeth need to get used to not relying on one. What a load of nonsense. I was only 14 but I wish I'd had one now to prevent this.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:06

@CopperLily
Thank you. I'll have a look on there. I have the remover but struggling to use it. So I'll check out that site for tips etc. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:08

@Plasmodesmata

I did feel a little conned that the initial sell was all about how invisible they are, and nobody mentioned sticking lumps all over your teeth.
@Plasmodesmata Yes exactly! Same here. I took them out before going to a restaurant the other night and you can still see all the white buttons across my teeth. And when they're in, they're totally not invisible! I notice when other people have them in so people surely must notice mine.
OP posts:
jennyt82 · 03/01/2022 21:08

I have just finished my invisalign and I'm so glad I did it, it was worth all the hassle that came with it! The first week I thought I'd made the biggest mistake but like everyone else has said it really does get so much easier. I had 26 trays and attachments on almost every tooth, the ortho key does make it easier to take them out once you've had a bit of practice, I was too careful taking mine out at first, it would take me ages and it was agony but you soon get used to just taking them out in seconds.

Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:10

@Purpleseaside
Oh my gosh really? I wonder why that happens? That's really frustrating after going through that whole process, not to mention the money!

OP posts:
jennyt82 · 03/01/2022 21:11

@WellThisIsShit

Do you think a child could cope with Invisalign? Are they worse than normal braves?
I think it would depend on the child. It's a big commitment and you really must aim to wear them 22 hours a day if you can and keep your teeth very clean. My eldest is 14 and I don't think they'd suit him at all he's too lazy!
Wilma55 · 03/01/2022 21:12

Try rinsing your mouth with warm water before removing them.

Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:15

@WellThisIsShit

Do you think a child could cope with Invisalign? Are they worse than normal braves?
@WellThisIsShit I think it would be a big responsibility for a child. You have to take them out every time you eat, and brush your teeth before putting them back in. You have to floss regularly. You can't drink anything other than water with them in too as they stain.

I had a fixed 'train track' brace when I was a child, and although they were more noticeable cosmetically, they actually worked brilliantly and quickly. I found them to be very effective and almost wish I'd gone for that option again this time.
My dentist really persuaded me to go for Invisalign but I found the fixed brace easier to manage.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:16

@Crimbles
Oh I'm so pleased for you! I can't wait until that time comes. Does it get easier to put them in and out as your teeth get straighter too?

OP posts:
Theredjellybean · 03/01/2022 21:17

I'm going against the grain and saying while it sort of gets easier, I still wish I'd never bothered.
I'm two yrs in, still trying to get teeth to straight, hate the trays, hate the attachments
They arw not invisible and you don't get perfect results.
I feel conned and wish I'd spent the money on a holiday

Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:18

@jennyt82
That's what it's like for me now. It takes me ages and really hurts. I'm convinced I'll break a tooth or pull one out. Then using the orthokey I'm worried I'll break the retainer.
My dentist wasn't happy at all when I said I'd bought those to help me take them out. He kept saying 'don't damage the tray!'

OP posts:
Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:19

@Wilma55

Try rinsing your mouth with warm water before removing them.
@Wilma55 That's a good idea. I'll try that. Thank you.
OP posts:
Original poster
WhyDoIDoThis1 · 03/01/2022 21:22

@Theredjellybean
I totally get that. God especially after 2 years. I'm expected to have mine in for approx 6/7 months and I'm already dreading that because of how hard I'm finding them now.
Did you need lots of work done?

Mine is for 1 tooth slightly overlapping the other. Right now I'm wishing I just left it as it was. But I know I was getting self conscious because of it. Even though others probably couldn't tell as it's not noticeable in photos etc.
Do you know how much longer you'll need them for?

OP posts:
OfNick · 03/01/2022 21:23

I decided against Invisalign because I knew I'd end up taking them out! I currently have six months smiles instead. I have a couple of friends who have used Invisalign though and they are so pleased with the results, it'll be worth it in the end!

Ohpulltheotherone · 03/01/2022 21:25

Yes OP it will get better!

You’ll be so used to it soon that you’ll be popping them in and out without even thinking about it!

Get some bonjela, use paracetamol and keep going!

Mine felt fine after the first tray - that was a week so hopefully by your 2nd tray you’ll be feeling a lot better about it all

Crimbles · 03/01/2022 21:46

[quote WhyDoIDoThis1]@Crimbles
Oh I'm so pleased for you! I can't wait until that time comes. Does it get easier to put them in and out as your teeth get straighter too? [/quote]
Yes 100%! They pop in and out really easily. I also think there's a tool you can buy to help with removal. And i promise people don't notice your invisalign as much as you think. My front tooth overlapped the other too, which was my motivation for having invisalign (I hated my smile). I'll try and post a before and a 'now' picture for you.

Crimbles · 03/01/2022 21:54

The pic won't upload Sad i'll keep trying

Jota67 · 03/01/2022 22:00

I didn't get on with them at all.
I have a corporate job and do presentations and lots of formal meetings and just felt really awkward and self conscious initially.

Also if you are in a meeting and someone offers a coffee or it's a lunch meeting you can't exactly take them off.

I opted out after a month and got a few veneers instead to improve the appearance of the few crooked teeth I had.

Lots of others have had great results but it just wasn't for me and didn't fit my lifestyle at all