Invisalign braces: anyone got any stories to swap?

[BogeyNights]

I've been bothered by my teeth for years now but am finally quite close to booking a consultation for invisible braces.

It's primarily my lower teeth that are wonky, although my top set could do with a tweak to straighten them up.

Anyone care to share any experiences with me?

[PoppyWearer]

Mine were pricey, a few years back now but definitely more than £3000. It may have been as much as £5000. This was in 2006/7.

In my case I had to have the sides of some teeth ground down to make room for the movement. Really unpleasant. Also "buttons" on some teeth, little tooth-coloured lumps, to help the traction of certain teeth which had to be rotated. And my dentist also added some elastic bands for good measure at one stage! (Disclaimer: my dentist is an absolute perfectionist!)

Oh yes, and before he even started on Invisalign I had to get all of my metal fillings replaced with white ones. Which cost a fortune. I still don't know if that was just my dentist, he did say some were in a bad way, but of course my teeth do look better for it.

The liners themselves were fine, everyone at work knew about them because a colleague in the States had them before me, but people who didn't know me didn't guess.

Having to go back and forth to the dentist very frequently for short appointments was a PITA. Luckily I had a flexible job close to the dentist and could pop out easily.

When I got pregnant with DC1 I was 95% done but couldn't stand the liners and retainers any more as they made me gag, so that was that. My dentist put a retainer wire behind my top teeth, the main ones he'd straightened, and I've had that ever since. My teeth do look much better compared to old photos.

I so wish I'd had a brace as a girl like my sister - her treatment was free under the NHS and so much less hassle!

Apparently there is now some cheaper system that promises results in a shorter timeframe for less extreme cases?

Personally if I could do it again I'd have a word with myself for spending so much money on my teeth and would probably just have opted for train tracks (you can now get clear ones) over a shorter period of time.

[NicolasGirl]

I had them and they were amazing. I was in a management role meeting clients on a regular basis and was completely comfortable wearing them in this environment.

They can be a tad uncomfortable when moving onto a new retainer ( every couple of weeks) but it passes.

Good luck if you go ahead.

[wordfactory]

I couldn't have them for some reason so I currently have train tracks (though ceramic brackets).

I look a picture

[Jaguar17]

I've had squinty teeth since my late 20s after my wisdom teeth grew in and pushed all the teeth out of place. I didn't fancy train tracks ( vanity ) then read about invisalign. I've just started using my invisalign braces. This is day 5. I've found the trays very uncomfortable so far and the inside of my mouth where its rubbing against the edge of the trays is red raw ! I'm hoping that it will get easier to bear. I've had to take painkillers every day since starting the treatment and apparently every time you change trays which is every 2 weeks you will again experience pain due to the pressure on the teeth. I was expecting that but not the raw inside of my mouth. It hurts to speak so I'm keeping quiet which my husband is delighted about !I really miss being able to have a cup of tea whenever I fancy one as you can only drink water with the braces in. I hope it's worth it. Looking forward to seeing the results in 10 months time.

[museumum]

wake up zombie thread!!!
:)

Hi,
Anybody out there having invisalign now or have more tales to tell? I think I'm about to go for it. I had a general orthodontic assessment a few weeks ago and train-tracks would require an extraction (probably) whereas invisalign would be done with the shaving between the teeth. My issue is that my top outer incisors are moving more and more squint every year (started when my wisdom teeth came through really late in my 20s) so i am looking to halt that as much as to reverse it. One is already horrible, the other i can live with so if they can both be like the left one and get no worse i'll be happy i guess.
I'm concerned about drinking tea, about managing to not snack (though that will be good for me as i'm a stone overweight) and about keeping them in enough. I don't go out much but obviously you couldn't wear the tray on an evening in the pub and that could be 4-5hrs or at a work social event :(
Any tales/advice??

[xSummerStarsx]

I am getting Invisalign, should have my trays fitted second week in December.

I am lucky in that my teeth aren't that bad, just a couple of sticky outy, crooked ones on top so I am only having my top teeth done and my orthodontist said it will only take 7 months.

Not looking forward to the fiddly aspect of it, or any potential pain (I am a wuss) but definitely looking forward to having nice, straight teeth!

[xSummerStarsx]

Oh and re the social side, I go out quite a lot so have already switched to white wine (I'm a rose/ red girl normally!) in preparation. I plan to drink that and gin and tonics and plan to keep my tray in- why not?

If it is a really special occasion, I would take it out, but otherwise, I plan to wear mine all the time!

[Naicecuppatea]

Sorry to jump on this thread. I have only one tooth that is majorly out of place. It is on my lower jaw and comes in front of my upper jaw teeth (instead of staying behind). Would full braces be needed does anyone know?

[WitchWay]

I'm 50 & had train tracks top & bottom fitted last October. They came off in the summer after just 9 months - much sooner than I'd been quoted & I now wear retainers at night. So pleased with the results - I'd always hated my wonky teeth & they were getting steadily worse.

[WitchWay]

Naicecuppa I think you'd have to ask an Orthodontist - some will let you have a first appointment for nothing.

[museumum]

summer I thought that drinking anything but water with the trays causes decay?
I've got no fillings and don't want this treatment to cause any.

[museumum]

"There has been found no statistically significant increase in decay or stains under Invisalign aligners. Only water should be consumed with aligners in and also no smoking. Aligners should be taken out, whenever any other foods or drinks are consumed and then the teeth need to be brushed before aligners are replaced and the aligner should also be bushed. Flossing at least once a day and the use of fluoride mouth rinses are important"

[ameliaesmith]

Hey guys sorry to dig up another old thread but i think its important to share my experience with any other mumsnetter looking for advice on this. I got my Invisalign done just last week with Smile Clinic: www.smile-clinic.co.uk/invisalign-invisible-braces-liverpool/

Absolutely made up with them, no one at work has any idea I am wearing braces!

[mydietstartsmonday]

Just to say got mine yesterday, completely ok, I can feel them but nothing too bad. You cant see them, it might change when I get the anchor dots. You cant eat with them so I am hoping it will stop my snacking. Straight teeth & weight loss what more can you want.

[caramacgirl]

Hi all - this is my first post!
Just found this thread and hoping to get some reassurance/advice from those of you who've had invisalign.
I've just started my treatment 6 days ago. Taking them out to eat and drink takes a bit of getting used to but it's ok and I'm constantly clock watching as I really want to get my money's worth and wear them for the requisite 22 hours minimum. Not sure about how I'll get on with Christmas approaching and all the socialising with food and drink, but hopefully I'll have relaxed a bit by then! I've used some orthodontic wax around the edges a few times as my tongue can get a bit sore, but nothing too bad. The main issue I thought would have improved by now is the lisping when I talk. My orthodontist told me it would go after a day or 2 as my tongue gets used to the aligners being there but I'm still lisping all the time and it's a bit embarrassing especially at work (I work in the health service and have to see patients, do visits to other hospitals, phone calls, teach/lecture) and although the aligners aren't visible the lisp is really drawing attention to them. I'm 50 so I don't think my friends and colleagues expect me to get braces at my age. (I'm worried that I'll be judged for being vain which is why I went for the invisible ones.) I'm sipping water all the time as my mouth gets dry (because the gums are covered - again my orthodontist said to do this). I'm hoping the lisp will go soon and stay gone, but I'm worried it will return every 2 weeks when I change the aligners!


Anyone have any advice?