Invisalign has been the biggest waste of time and money!!

[ponderponderpond]

I had one tooth that was slightly overlapped at the front. I went to the dentist where I was told I would wear the trays for around 10 weeks.
This cost £3,000.

After 10 weeks, my tooth was still slightly overlapped. So they said for me to have another tray for another week.

OVER ONE YEAR LATER I am still wearing Invisalign. I've had my teeth filed. More scans etc. Loads more trays.
My tooth is still not straight.

They now want me to have even more trays which is going to cost even more.
I can't believe how crap it's been.

A massive waste of money. I don't want to pay more. I've paid enough already.

Has this happened for anyone else?

He has said if my tooth isn't straight by the next time I go back then he will charge for more trays. But I'm going back in 3 weeks. I only have one tray left so there's no doubt my tooth will be the same.

It’s such an easy movement. I cannot understand what he’s doing wrong. Were you xrayed at the beginning?

So YOU don't take photos at home ?

I have an app on my phone and I take weekly photos with my photo using a scanner I have at home. The photos are uploaded which the dentist can monitor weekly and see early if a tooth isn't tracking so they can intervene sooner if there is a problem. I see the dentist more often than every three months too. And I am paying less and get more months as part of the package.

They would know fair earlier than my next appointment if the treatment wasn't working and would call me in (at no extra cost) as it's part of the treatment place.

You are well and truly being rinsed by comparison with a much lower level of service.

He didn't do an X-ray at the beginning because I was pregnant. So he said 'it's fine, we'll do that at a later stage when you've had the baby' but I had the baby 6 months ago and I haven't had an X-ray done yet.

@RedToothBrush
No way! That is so thorough and sounds like an excellent service!! No I haven't been asked to do this and haven't been told of the app. I haven't been told to take any photos at all at home.
He has taken photos only twice during the last 18 months.

I had Invisalign for 6 months last year.

I am over the moon with the results. I wore my trays for 11 days each. Had 14 in total.

I think it’s your dentist who is the problem. Either Invisalign weren’t for you or he is using them incorrectly.

I couldn’t believe the difference in 6 months.

he did sand/shave between some teeth at the start to allow for movement.

I have attached a before and after picture.

Oh OP. Go see an orthodontist for a second opinion. Do not let him shave any more until you’ve done this.

You can consider next steps after that ortho consult. Maybe involving solicitors.

I'm so glad to read the replies on this thread! We've just paid AUD 8000 for DD Invisalign and she'll have them for a year. Orthodontist confirmed if the Invisalign don't work, then it's braces, but no extra cost.

Sorry to hear it's not working for you though OP.

@almondfinger
Oh my god what a difference! Your teeth look amazing! And in such a short space of time...!
Mine was for literally the one tooth but not much is different. And it's been almost 18 months now!

My Invisalign get fitted this week. I’ve already been told by the orthodontist that she won’t stop treatment until she’s completely happy with my teeth, at no extra cost.

She is also only giving me 4 trays at a time so I have to get progress checks every 4 weeks in case teeth aren’t moving as they should.

I would get a second opinion if I were you OP. Good luck!

Thank you OP. I’m delighted with them. ‘Fang’ as my front tooth was known was really getting me down and v obvious in photos.

i had thought about only getting my top teeth done but the dentist said to do both as the difference would be telling at the end, and it really is. The difference in both top and bottom teeth is impressive, to me anyway.

you definitely have a dentist problem. I had my teeth sanded between only at the v beginning and not again. Your guy seems to be doubling down. I’d be getting a second opinion and my money back.

I took pictures every time I changed plates. The initial 7 plates didn’t show much change but from then on it was more and more obvious they were moving.

DH had 4 extra trays but they not were charged extra. His teeth were pretty bad (quite a bit of filing) and the difference now is incredible

I feel really gutted about it. Seems like I definitely have a dentist problem. I really don't know what to do about it now. I don't want to pay for more. I'm dreading the next appointment.

@almondfinger
I think he is doubling down. He's filed them on 3 separate occasions now.
I said to him the last time "you're doing it again? Is that necessary? I'll have no teeth left when you're finished with me". I said it in a jokey way but I was a little worried that it was the 3rd time of filing the same tooth.

Dentist here. A dentist can effectively do a course in a weekend to qualify to do Invisalign. Of course, with experience, some dentists get fantastic results, but honestly?
I'd rather go to a qualified orthodontist rather than leave it in the hands of a dentist with an interest in Invisalign. My friend who is an orthodontist spends a considerable amount of time correcting Invisalign that has gone wrong.

Please stop now, and ask your dentist to refer you to a proper specialist orthodontist.

I had similar experience with train tracks. 2 yrs in braces then still had shit teeth.

I started legal process as they’d lied a lot in writing and got a refund.

I’m sorry you were sold lies. ☹️

I don't know why you're being charging more? I had Invisalign and needed more trays - it was all included in the original cost. I'm really happy with the results. Think you've got a duff dentist!

My dentist was happy to go ahead as I was only hoping to move one tooth back into place. He was adamant that if I wanted my bite corrected I would need to see an orthodontist. He is aware of both his and Invisalign’s limits.

I had train tracks as a teen and major orthodontics then. I had no wish to ever repeat that. I would recommend Invisalign but I suppose also my dentist to anyone looking for a simple realignment.

sorry you’ve had such a rubbish experience OP. It might be time to get a second opinion.

Did you go to a proper orthodontist? Unfortunately lots of regular dentists are now offering Invisalign with hardly any training.

DD had hers for 9 months between 14/15 and got on really well with them. Her results were fabulous and it was £4000 I’d happily pay again. Her orthodontist is one of the most specialised in Invisalign where we are and was absolutely amazing, couldn’t fault any aspect of her treatment at all.

Have they checked to see why your teeth aren't moving?
X-rays will show root health, length ect?

Hhhmmm. I think this may be a problem with your dentist.
My daughter had Invisalign for nearly 3 years. Was longer than expected but they gave us a quote at the start and it did not change.
It worked really well and she looks great but I'm not sure if I'd do it if my son is recommended.
All up total cost $10, 000 AUD.

There seems to be a theme here of when peoples treatment needed to be extended, there was no extra fee. I can't see my dentist budging on this in relation to payment. And seeing an orthodontist now will just cost me more money. I wish I had done that in the first place.

You should of gone to an ortho!

@PatientlyWaiting21
I really wish I had. It didn't occur to me as my dentist said he does Invisalign so I just had it done there. He mentioned it on a general visit so I just booked it in.