Invisalign and teeth extraction. Should I go ahead??

[Onebigmess]

Hi,
Has anyone had Invisalign with teeth extraction?

I had braces as a child but still have an overbite/teeth have moved. I'm really self conscious about my teeth. I decided to look into Invisalign and was pretty much set on having it done. At my initial appointment the lady (not dentist bit coordinator) said it'd be between 1500-4000 but I she couldn't invisage it costing that much for me.

Anyway. Had an appointment with the dentist this morning and it's worse case scenario. I'd need my top and bottom teeth doing but also I'd need 4 teeth extracted! I always had it in mind that I wouldn't get it done if I needed extraction (but didn't expect it to be the case). Also it'll cost over 4000.

I'm a bit torn now and was wondering, has anyone else had extraction when using Invisalign? Is it extreme getting teeth removed? I'm not sure what to do now, although I think the cost is a factor, as I thought I'd be lucky and I'd be in the cheaper bracket!

Not extreme or uncommon with orthodontic treatment. CAN be done with Invisalign but be prepared it doesn’t always go to plan as treatment planning is done at the start with Invisalign whereas other options like metal train tracks can be adapted throughout the process. Also bare in mind the timeframe they predict - especially with tooth removal, it will likely take longer than Invisalign anticipate.

Make sure you see an orthodontist and not a dentist who has done an Invisalign course. Orthodontists are specialists in moving teeth and i would only trust them to put braces on me.

I had it done without extractions, with a dentist (not orthodontist).

Worst. Decision. Ever. Massive overbite now.

If you need extractions it is actually worth doing now as when you are older your jaw shrinks and you’ll just have to get them done in your 60s when recovering takes so much longer. DM had this. But do it with a qualified orthodontist and be aware that metal braces are way faster and more effective than some ‘invisible’ solutions.

Thank you both for your replies. He did day that without distraction my teeth would be worse not better, because if I did have Invisalign, once my front teeth start to move forward, the position of my canines means they would eventually push my front teeth forward.

I'm just worried (and forgot to ask) how obvious the gap would be once the teeth are distracted. Also, how long would it be before my teeth start to move and for this gap to be less obvious. I have an overbite but not really huge I can't imagine my teeth would need to move back so much that they would fill the gap of the extracted teeth!

I'm just wondering how much I trust the computer simulation in terms of the results.

That meant to say that once my front teeth start to move BACK they will basically move my canines into a position where the aligners would cause them to push my teeth further forward.

@Minecraftatemychild I'm so sorry to hear that. It's such a long and expensive process, you must have been so upset. Did they not correct it? Seen as they messed up!

Have you had a consultation with an orthodontist that works with both Invisalign and traditional fixed braces? Sounds like you need to explore all options rather than just invisalign

I ruled out Invisalign because of the cost and went for a Sapphire fixed brace instead. Better for me because I can't get lazy and leave it out. It also doesn't hurt at all, which surprised me. The fixings are clear so hardly visible at all. I had my wisdom teeth removed before it was fitted.

Did you have teeth removed for your original brace as a child?

@Ducksallovertheplace the Dentist I spoke with is not an orthodontist but a dentist with an MSc in cosmetic dentistry, so I realise not as specialised as an orthodontist. I did ask about fixed braces but apparently I'd still need extraction, timeframe and cost would be similar. Although he's obviously "selling" Invisalign.
I only really opted for Invisalign as it seemed accessible and I didn't know who to see to enquire about fixed braces.

@torquewench maybe I do need to look further into fixed braces. How did you find an orthodontist?

@OneFootInFrontOfAnother no I didn't, I've never had any teeth removed.

I am not a dentist! I do think it is pretty common to have teeth removed for overcrowding however. Both my dc's had 4 removed.

I also had 4 removed as a child and had loads of ortho work done. My teeth then reverted back to a massive overbite over the years.

I had invisalign (did not need anymore extractions) and I am really happy with my teeth now. I have also got a night time retainer so they will not revert back as before. I had it done about 6 years ago and I think I paid about £2600 for it then.

Invisalign was a really positive experience for me and it worked quickly.

I have fixed braces they’re not the cheaper option and originally I’d hoped for Invisalign but the orthodontist (who does both fixed and Invisalign) said fixed would provide the better result. I think Invisalign can work well but I guess it depends on how complex your teeth are.

in your position I’d get another opinion from an orthodontist who does both Invisalign and fixed. I think more information and options would help you make a decision.

I'm getting Invisalign next month. I already had 4 teeth extracted for a fixed brace as a teenager so this time I'm getting my teeth filed down on the sides. It's usual apparently! I'm with an orthodontist, I'd go to one of them over a dentist. Apparently dentists only need a short course to train In Invisalign whereas orthodontists are experts in tooth movements

Mine was a recommendation but theyre close to where I work so I was considering using them anyway. I paid £900 for the brace fitting and I go each month, at a further £99 a visit, for replacement wire and fittings. I've had it 6 weeks and there's already a big difference in alignment. I was told it could take 12 months.

There's also cheaper options for fixed metal braces which I think was £600 for fitting and the £99 per month.

@OneFootInFrontOfAnother the dentist did say to me that most of his Invisalign patients had braces as a child and that's generally when teeth are extracted. So it's not uncommon, just not as common in adults. I'm pleased to hear you're happy with Invisalign,.did your treatment last as long as they projected? Or did it end up taking longer?

@Ducksallovertheplace I think you're right, I need to speak with an orthodontist who does both. I suppose seeing a dentist who only offers Invisalign means he will be skewed towards it.

@OneForTheRoadThen I think you're right and I should see an orthodontist. I did go to a higher rated dentist who also has a Master's in cosmetic dentistry but it's not the same as.an orthodontist.

@torquewench thank you, I'll look into it.

Im.just gutted because I only want my teeth to move inwards around 2mm and I thought I'd be a straightforward case. Instead I'm costing the highest amount possible, 2 years of treatment and 4 teeth extracted. I desperately want it done but these things all put me off. Also walking around with a gap where 4 teeth were for months to a year before it closes up once my teeth have moved! I'll look awful.

Which teeth did they tell you need extracted?

@torquewench I need 4 extracted! The premolars (2 top, 2 bottom) . The ones closest to the front ( so 4th tooth along counting from the front).

I had Invisalign on both my top and bottom teeth started in late 2017. I was told I may need teeth extracted, but I asked that he hold off until it was absolutely clear it would be necessary. It turned out I didn't need any teeth removed. After over 18 months my treatment finished and I have to say I was kind of disappointed - I had straight teeth, but they had weird gaps and food kept on getting stuck in them.

I was given a retainer to wear at night but I accidentally left it at home when away on a business trip and by the time I got back I couldn't wear the retainer - it was too tight as my teeth had already started to move back. Then we went into lockdown and I couldn't do anything about it. Eventually my teeth reverted back to how they had been. So total waste of money.

Yes, I know I could have been more proactive, but to be honest I was disappointed they hadn't looked better after the treatment, and that they hadn't followed up with me (they'd said they would after six months but I never heard from them again).

If you go ahead I would recommend asking for a metal bar to be fitted at the end of your treatment, rather than go with the nighttime retainer.

I'm also so glad I didn't have any extractions, as I'd be left with gaps in my teeth now they've reverted back to their original state.

@livingonpurpose that sounds like a lot of money and effort and so disappointing to not be happy with the results. My dentist said I'd definitely need extraction...I asked several times. He said if have a retainer for 2 weeks and then two teeth extracted one side and the week later 2 the other side.
What weee your projected results like? Did your result look anything like what was anticipated?
Apparently I need to pay the £200 to get the refined plan. A bit annoying really that you have to pay but I suppose it's fo lrnthe time and effort they put into it.

TBH I don't remember seeing my projected results again after the very first appointment. But it was just the way the teeth fitted together, the movement had created some little triangle gaps at the gum in a couple of places, probably not noticeable to anyone looking at me, but I just found that every time I ate, I got food stuck in them and became really self conscious about it - which is obviously not how I expected/wanted to feel about my teeth after spending so much money to correct them!

Now they are back to how they were previously, I couldn't be arsed going through the whole process again (even if I were offered it for free). I spent month with uncomfortable teeth, horrible bumps on my teeth (they have to put blobs of glue on your teeth so they retainers stay in place) and weird elastic bands attached between top/bottom jaws. They were far from invisible!!

@livingonpurpose I definitely think it's not as straightforward or as invisible as they market it! They are definitely visible. Combined with the teeth blobs, elastic bands and 4 teeth missing I don't think I'll look great for a while! I'm hoping it'll be worth it in the end. I was wondering if I could put some fake tooth inside the aligner where the missing teeth are 🤣

*fake teeth...maybe I can ask for my teeth back and pop them inside the aligner!

It might be that the aligner makes it difficult to see that you have teeth missing, so that could be a good thing. Or else you could try colouring in/painting the inside of the aligner where the missing teeth are so it matches your actual teeth!

I only had one tooth extracted but it was in the bottom at the middle 😂 My orthodontist painted over the gap in the aligner so you couldn’t really tell at all from a distance when I had them in. This was years ago though, got a bar after and I’m so happy with my teeth. Best money over ever spent💕

Unrelated I got a wisdom tooth out a few weeks back and it pretty painless at the time but the recovery process is annoying and painful and you’ll definitely lose a lot of weight having four out with an Invisalign.

Not sure how much difference it would make to your projections or if there’s an option to re do if it’s not working with all your teeth etc.

omg as PP said those little grip bumps! I found it quite invisible to be fair though and my teeth moved very fast. I sound MAD but it’s 100% due to your mindset … you need to tell your teeth to move everyday and believe they will 😁 xxx

@livingonpurpose 5hats what I'm hoping, that it's less obvious with the aligner on!

@xxcatcatcatxx it's good to hear a positive experience. I'll have to ask my dentist if he can do anything to make the gap less obvious! From.what my dentist says, it's pretty much guaranteed I'll need teeth extracted. He says if I don't, then when my front teeth move back, my incisors will be crowded and will start to push my teeth forward, making it worse..it makes me nervous this is all baeed on a computers prediction! Did the treatment take as long as intially predicted?

My teeth aren't even that bad. I have an overbite but no major overlapping teeth etc. So I'm gutted I need teeth removing and also need bottom aligners.

I'm dreading extraction!

I think they just used white nail varnish to be fair 😂 Yeah mine went exactly, they moved so fast I was changing aligners every week but that’s honestly because I psychologically kept encouraging my teeth and cheering them on 😂

He didn’t know how the front ones would react though as my gums are really thin, the gum on my middle bottom tooth goes down really far but I’d much rather that than have wonky teeth 🥹 xxx