Invisalign

[Slowies]

Hi

Thinking of finally getting my over crowded teeth sorted by using Invisalign. Anybody done/doing this?

I'm doing Invisalign 🦷 it can be a long slog and a definite commitment (you need to make sure you'll stick to it!) but it's made a huge difference and I'm not even finished.

Your best bet is to book in with a dentist that offers Invisalign and do the consultation, they can model what sort of movement you can expect and show you potential outcomes.

When you get the brace is stuck on , like train track, you were on a journey to getting your teeth fixed in a certain timeframe. Compliance is based on keeping your teeth cleaned and attending your dental appointments. The braces will be working all of the time because you’re wearing them all of the time. with Invisalign you need even more compliance because you have to make sure that you wear the appliance and not fall asleep or forget ..etc

Yes I did this, and finished nearly a year ago.

My teeth weren't too bad so the treatment was only about 8 months, followed by 6 months of wearing the retainer full time, then obviously nighttime wear forever.

Taking it out whenever you eat anything, and cleaning your teeth before putting it back in is a hassle. But you do get used to it.
For me it was absolutely worth it. I had braces as a teenager and didn't wear my retainer and my teeth moved. I hated them for about 10 years and am so glad they're straight now.

I would say go to an orthodontist, not a dentist.

Stupid question, but why an orthodontist rather than a dentist?

Do be honest I feel braces would be more suitable because once there on there on.

How do you cope with eating out and drinking with friends? The thought of taking it out and putting my hands in my mouth terrifies me as Some public toilets are disgusting.

@Slowies

I have to time it into my day. I'll pop the braces out, eat, clean my teeth and pop them back in. I don't even do it in the toilets anymore - I'll hide my mouth behind a napkin and do it! It feels cleaner (I also sanitise my hands before and after) than doing it in the toilets, also it takes me two seconds to pop them both out, it's not even noticeable. I carry mouthwash and water free disposable toothbrushes so I can brush my teeth post meal out without using public bathroom tap water too.

Please use an orthodontist and not a dentist for Invisalign.

I had Invisalign treatment back in 2022, I'm really glad I did and so happy with the results.
As others have said, it takes a lot of self discipline to wear the retainers constantly and brush your teeth so regularly. Helped reduce my snacking though!
Just discretely slipped them out at dinner after sanitising my hand. I carried a small bag with my brace box and toothbrush in.

@festivemouse
that sounds simple. Will I get the hang of it quickly? (Popping them in and out). Where do you brush your teeth to?
Also im a little worried that I will not be able to handle the discomfort of putting them in and out and give up

@Slowies

Taking them in and out takes seconds - you can get a hook tool from Amazon which is really useful and helps with removal. It did take me a few weeks to get totally comfortable doing!

Because I have water free tooth brushes I normally do them when I get back to my car 😃

If you get a little "pul" tool from Amazon it's really easy. I still use it for my retainer. It's a nightmare at the start tbh, but quickly gets a lot easier

I had Invisalign, if I'm honest I regret spending the money on them and not getting proper braces. My teeth have shifted back as my dog ate my original Invisalign retainer and because my dentist changed hands I couldn't get my records to get a new one made (10 years later).
I'm considering getting train tracks again with a proper orthodontist which is a kick in the teeth (pardon the pun) after spending 3k on Invisalign 10 years ago.

Also, I found having to wear them and take them out and clean them every time I ate a pain in the ass

Although I lost weight as I stopped snacking 🤣

I think they're great Op. if I was out, I would take them out discretely with a napkin in front of my mouth. The first few days I was talking really weird, but that passes

They are great- really easy to manage and you quickly get the hang of discreetly popping them out. I had mine done about 10 years ago and it made me so much more confident. I agree with others that you should go to a good orthodontist as this is a major investment. I had a wire fixed to the back of my top and bottom front teeth to stop them moving and so I didn't need a night retainer - I just have to be careful to really brush well and have regular hygiene appointments to keep the wire clean. I would do it all again - took just over a year and I had very jumbled bottom teeth