Dental Invisalign feels like a nightmare anyone more knowledgeable than me?

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dc recently went to get braces and the dentist said they would do well with Invisalign. They have had the expander thing and then it took over a week after the removal of that to get their first retainer that is supposed to bridge the gap between the expander finishing and the Invisalign going in. It’s been 2 months since and no sign of Invisalign appearing is this ok?

They’ve now said dc needs attachments which I believe are the glue on the teeth?! I feel so out of my depth and worried because I’ve paid a lot up front and I don’t know what’s right or wrong and I’m worried I’m being taken for a ride.

No it’s fine. No issues

Thank you @HoppityBun

I can comment with reference to my experience. DD had invisalign with the most AWFUL teeth and it was like a miracle cure. I honestly did not believe they could ever look any good but it's so weird. It's like the teeth themselves have changed shape. They look so good and have given her the confidence to smile.

Also, she did not have to have any removed, which I still can't quite believe (in the olden days with train tracks it was a given that they'd rip four teeth out).

So, yes, I was sceptical (and it is bloody expensive!) but I trusted the (long) process and it was a great result for her.

Because Invisalign has limitations as the how it can move teeth it is more suited to treating mild problems that need no extractions.
You can also treat some mild problems with fixed “train track” braces , also some more difficult problems with no extractions, using expansion. Train tracks (fixed braces) still remain gold standard treatment because they can produce fine movements, refinements and move teeth further , untwist etc better than alligner type braces .

I've had Invisalign; my DD has had Invisalign. we are both happy. It is very practical. It does require some self-discipline in terms of removing and putting back in and keeping them clean.

So long as they are still wearing a retainer to hold teeth in place it’s not a problem.

The clinicheck with Invisalign is not a guarantee that that will be the treatment and often things need changing. Using attachments allows for different movements to be achieved that may not have been obvious before palatal expansion . It’s not unknown for fixed bracework (traintracks) to be necessary to finish off treatment or more alligners , or a longer time or elastics to be necessary . A clinicheck is a computer simulation of how teeth will move , of course the human body is infinitely variable and doesn’t always follow a computer prediction. It’s why an orthodontist needs to check progress regularly and adjust the treatment plan if necessary.

Unfortunately the retainers for Invisalign are made abroad and there can be quite significant delays in getting them delivered , however all the alligners should arrive at the same time.

Thanks all. Another question arising from this, the dentist mentioned filing dc teeth to accommodate movement is this also ok?

Yes to move teeth you need to create space. Sometimes you need to remove teeth, for a little space you use IPR , interproximal reduction, filing a small amount of enamel normally off lower front teeth.

How old is your child? I used to work in an orthodontic practice and the younger Teens would loose them ALL the time and they’re expensive and time consuming to replace

Yeah it’s just in between like a tiny tiny tiny bit. It’s all normal