Today I picked my Invisalign braces

[sortingmyselfoutslowly]

Updating as a few users were considering getting them. They feel a bit weird but I can talk fine. No pain just slight pressure. I have to wear them 22 hours a day and take them off to eat and drink. DS age 4 couldn't tell I have them in, DD age 7 only when looking very carefully! I have 5 sets of trays to change myself at home every 2 weeks so don't need to go back to the orthodontist for 10 weeks. Looking forward to the results already!

@sortingmyselfout exciting! I posted about invisalign recently, still no closer to making a decision though. Have met 3 orthodontists but they all said different things which was confusing. How did you choose?! 😷😭

Glad it's going well. I finished Invisalign last year and am really happy with the result.

A couple of things: when you get close to the end, ask if you can change aligners every week to speed things up. Also, I needed an additional few months of corrections at the end. I wasn't ready for this and was disappointed I had to keep wearing them for longer. Still very pleased overall though.

Someone further up said they only had two teeth that needed correcting. Look into an Inman aligner. I wasn't suitable, but it's really quick if it's just the front couple of teeth.

Posie My teeth have stayed beautifully in place. I have metal permanent retainers behind front teeth , top and bottom. I hardly notice them at all. Also have a plastic Invisalign type retainer for top teeth only. I used to wear it every night...but now just twice a week. All is good. I don’t regret anything about the treatment.

Pandapenguin see how experienced they are at Invisalign. It's a fine art which is why I went with an ortho as opposed to a dentist. Mine is a star elite related invisalign provider or something like that- in the top 50 in Europe so I trust him with my tricky case.I didn't want any extractions and one ortho wanted to take a healthy tooth. Also went with gut feeling.

Onlythedepthvaries how did you clean your aligners? Mine have white stuff on them which I assume is plaque? I'm following the instructions in the booklet.

@sortingmyselfout thanks yes have been to orthodontists only. Have decided definitely no extractions. Is yours in London? And would you mind saying who they are? No problem if not. I live on the outskirts but will be getting them in L because no providers at all near me aaaaaargh

I'm nowhere near London sorry... can you look at reviews and before/ after photos online? Are they all similar prices?

sorting I found it difficult to keep the white stuff away...in the end I used hand soap and a tooth brush. I was glad that a new shiny brace was available every two weeks. My overnight retainer is very manky...and my dentist replaces it when it gets too bad.

My dentist told me to use denture tablets / brush if the retainers got too gross. They get rid of most of the white stuff.

Thanks for this thread. I've wanted this fine for ages. I haven't been for a consultation because I think they'll say I need my wisdom teeth taken out to make space. I should take the plunge though!

I've taken the plunge today. Wanted to do something for years. Have paid deposit and go back Monday for impressions. Should get the actual Invisalign end of January. Hoping I'm going to lose weight from less snacking !!

Ivebeenanddoneit that's great! I've only had one snack in the last 5 days since I started. Just 3 proper meals mostly. I'm used to it now and don't miss snacks!

Tuck I’m off to buy denture tablets!
Ivebeen Do it! Bloody marvellous!
All - when trying not to snack I put my overnight retainer in...like cleaning teeth it stops the munchies.

Do you mind me asking who your orthodontist is?

I find it all confusing. I went to an orthodontist recommended by my old dentist. He asked for £90 for an assessment and impressions. I didn't actually like him but what he did say was they'd be able to tell me if I needed any filing of my teeth so it would fit.

I then went to a new dentist who I love- she's youngish and has had her own teeth done, and works in an excellent practice. The orthodontist there took one look at mine and said I'd need 2 extraction for Invisalign as not enough space between my crowded teeth. Then he'd use a fixed brace.

I am so confused- 2 different opinions from 2 dentists.

I don't know how you find anyone you trust.

How do you? It's not just the cash, it's the commitment to being in the same place for 2 yrs to be able to follow it all through.

RayofSun I have sent you a private message :)

PollyPerky One orthodontist I went to said something similar to your second one- take one tooth out and a fixed brace is a good option. I personally went for the orthodontist who said an extraction was unneccessary. I didn't like the idea of losing a healthy tooth. Also, when I saw the orthodontist I eventually went with, he said in my case Invisalign would give a better result as the movements of the teeth can be much more carefully controlled. For example I have two rotated canines which are causing the crossover at the front that I hate so much. This needs to be remedied before the crossover will be fixed. Every case is different though.

It's good to have a positive relationship with your provider but I have to say, after the initial consultation, 2nd appointment for scans and then invisalign fitting, I only have to go back every 10 weeks. I'm lucky I don't have any attachments yet. At my next appointment they will be put on. At first I thought I'd have to go in every 2 weeks to collect the new aligners but at my fitting appointment when I received the first set of aligners, I was given 4 additional sets so enough for 10 weeks. They put them in a nice little gift bag for me with Retainer Brite, a toothbrush, mini toothpaste and mouthwash so I was ready to go! I phoned up with a couple of questions in the first week and they were really helpful over the phone.

It's confusing choosing a provider when they say different things so I understand where you're coming from.

Forgot to say my crowding is severe and I'm having a tiny amount of enamel filed. This is safe and is an alternative to tooth extraction where the patient wants to keep all their own teeth.

PollyPerky is there a third provider in your area you could see?

Thank you!!!

If anyone wants a recommendation for an orthodontist in Dorset I’ll be happy TP provide details.

I'm on 14 out of 23 and getting good results, which is why I am sticking with them, despite the fact I have developed Burning Mouth Syndrome after the first couple of months.

I now can't wear them for anything like 22 hours a day (more like 18) because over the course of the day I develop a burning sensation in my tongue, gums and the inside of my mouth. It's associated with Menopause and what seems to help is not becoming dehydrated, avoiding spicy food and alcohol and chewing gum to stimulate saliva production when I've got the trays off.

I would caution people about using anything other than toothpaste that doesn't contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate to clean the trays and your teeth

Something else I'd advise:

If you have places where the tray rubs the inside of your mouth (mine has a bit that sticks out on one of the front teeth), put some orthodontic wax on it as soon as you notice the problem. You can get the wax from Boots or my orthodontist gives it out for free.

Oh no notagainyoda that sounds awful.

I'm using toothpaste to clean the aligners and retainer bride which my orthodontist provided. Am being more scrupulous with cleaning now and they look better.

I've realised why my orthodontist practice has huge bowls of complimentary toothpaste arranged artfully around the place... I'm brushing my teeth 5 or 6 times a day plus the aligners twice a day. Must stock up on supplies at my next visit!

Loved my Invisalign. I wear thicker versions overnight now (probably for life) and just call the dentist any time there's an issue. I wish I'd done it sooner. It doesn't matter how much I hate anything else in photos because I have a smile I'm proud of.

OP get some Retainer Brite if you haven't already - Amazon sell it. It'll help if your retainers get yucky

I’m also finished with just over a year of Invisalign type braces and I’m so pleased with the result. I’m so much happier with how I look in photos. It was a right hassle tho with teeth brushing but I had a wee toiletry bag with everything I needed that I never left home without & also gave up snacking - wasn’t worth the hassle. And I laughed at the PP who talked about speed drinking - 6 months later it still feels a novelty to be able to drink & eat whenever I want.