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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if anyone's anyones invisible braces?

15 replies

NotAnotherUserName5 · 27/04/2018 12:11

Has anyone here had Invisalign braces?
My daughter is needing braces, and hates the thought of the metal ones.

Are they any good? How much are we looking at, roughly?

OP posts:
beardedlobster · 27/04/2018 12:16

It will depend on what she needs doing whether Invisalign is appropriate. Some people have loved Invisalign however I know others including some orthodontists don’t like them as they are not as easy to manipulate and alter as the traditional ‘train track’ fixed braces. They are also more expensive.
I had upper and lower fixed braces and mine would have cost £4300 for Invisalign.
I ended up choosing fixed as they were £2800 so a lot cheaper and I had the ceramic version and most people couldn’t even see them they are really discreet. I would go and get a free co saltation with a reputable orthodontist. They should give you all the advice plus the different options and prices in that consult!
I’m now six months after having my braces off and it has made such a difference to my confidence. I smile all the time. They are definitely worth it.

NotAnotherUserName5 · 27/04/2018 12:20

Thanks for the reply.

She has quite bad alignment to top teeth. Will have to look at all options.

So expensive Sad

OP posts:
EnglishRose13 · 27/04/2018 12:21

I had a metal brace when I was a teen. I was so embarrassed to begin with but soon I got over it. I loved the picking the coloured bands on them.

She should just get them. They are 100% worth it.

koyaanisqatsi · 27/04/2018 12:21

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

icelolly99 · 27/04/2018 12:23

If your daughter's teeth are 'bad enough' they will qualify for fixed braces from the NHS; albeit metal ones.

FranticallyPeaceful · 27/04/2018 12:25

My friend had them and when she had them taken out her teeth went back to how they were before. Not completely, they were better than before, but was told it was normal Hmm so has to keep having them in. I know lots of people who had normal ones and their teeth are lovely and straight now

Motheroffourdragons · 27/04/2018 12:27

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on behalf of the poster.

NotAnotherUserName5 · 27/04/2018 12:39

icelolly99-can't get an NHS dentist in my area, plus even if I do it's a 5 year waiting list for braces here Sad

OP posts:
Limoncell0 · 27/04/2018 12:55

NotAnother - I have them in now for the second time. The first time was 10 years ago.

The good news is that Invisalign definitely works. You do need a retainer brace on afterwards - in my case, this wasn't applied to the back teeth and over the last decade some molars were beginning to move inward, which is why I'm having it again!

The problem with Invisalign is that it's not as invisible as you might think due to the attachments they apply to certain teeth to move them more effectively. These are like tiny concrete bumps moulded to the tooth surface. You won't need them on all the teeth obviously, it varies case to case. The brace is moulded to fit around these bumps so it can look and feel more bulky than if it was fitted flat.

Having said that, some people now have Invisalign without the attachments and it can still be very effective. I only have 2 this time and they are tooth-coloured and hardly visible at all. Last time there were more and I was more self-conscious about it.

They don't massively recommend Invisalign for teens as you do have to take it out every time you eat and drink, so teens on the go are likely to lose the brace or not wear it enough.

There is something called "6 month smile" which only straightens the front teeth.

Nowadays, you only have to wear each brace for one week. It used to be 2. So I have a 14 week schedule to perfect teeth! They send you a virtual image of the way your teeth will move from beginning to end so you can track progress.

My treatment this time is £2,500 but it varies according to how many braces will be needed.

You could also look into fixed lingual braces (behind the teeth), though this is often more expensive.

Good luck!

icelolly99 · 27/04/2018 13:28

NotAnotherUserName5 just to clarify our dentist is a private practise, he referred us to an (private) orthodontist who assessed they were misaligned bad enough to qualify for NHS funded fixed braces and she's having them fitted in June. (3 months after the final assessment)

MyNameIsTotoro · 27/04/2018 13:33

I've had Invisalign and the effect has been fantastic. I've had a metal retainer fixed to the back of the upper teeth as I don't doubt they'd move.

I think you have to have a high level of compliance for them to work though. You can very easily take them out, forget to put them in etc. Not sure I'd be paying out for a teen to have them done. Knowing I was paying personally meant I complied more!!

Motheroffourdragons · 27/04/2018 14:35

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on behalf of the poster.

AnaViaSalamanca · 27/04/2018 14:36

it takes more time than metal braces, and you have to take really good care of your teeth, otherwise risk of cavities is higher

lattefrenzy · 27/04/2018 14:38

I've had Invisaligns and couldn't recommend them enough, I had metal braces when I was a teen and stupidly didn't wear my retainers so used Invisaligns to correct the movement. They were around £2,400 for 12 aligners and then the corrections at the end were free (got another 12 weeks) but paid in monthly instalments, don't know if I'd really recommend them for a teen as they are quite high maintenance and they recommend you only leave them out for a total of 2 hours each day. The cost does go up depending on the amount of work that needs doing.

MyKingdomForACaramel · 27/04/2018 14:48

My husband had them around 9 years ago - teeth are still in perfect shape and he hasn’t had to wear them since either

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