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Original poster

Invisalign for severe overcrowding?

35 replies

GetBackInTime · 19/08/2018 22:10

I am desperate to have my teeth straightened. I think about my teeth all the time, I hate smiling or laughing and hide from cameras, the few photos in existence of me, I look miserable.

My lower teeth are extremely overcrowded to the point my gum line has receded very far down. My top 4 teeth are also squint and protruding.

Can Invisalign treat quite severe overcrowding or is it possible to have metal braces on the bottom and Invisalign on the top? My bottom teeth actually aren’t visible at all when I smile so I would happily have traditional braces there.

Does anyone have any similar experience?

OP posts:

Thread gallery

HollywoodMontrose · 19/08/2018 22:17

I also have overcrowding, had an Invisalign consultation and was advised it is for quite minor teeth straightening. I also looked into the six month smiles treatment which is for just the front teeth but, again, too much work needed. Was told that I would need lots of teeth removed then full orthodontics fitted to straighten my teeth, so it's a bit disappointing. They are uneven and crowded but I didn't think they were quite so bad!

Long story short, I found Invisalign was for only very slightly crooked teeth!

ForSaleChesterDraws · 19/08/2018 22:25

If your teeth are overcrowded then the likelihood is you would need teeth removing and then a brace to straighten them.

TuppennyButterquim · 20/08/2018 11:42

If your teeth are severely overcrowded you will need fixed braces. My top teeth were overcrowded and one was twisted and stuck out. I never smiled in photographs and was always conscious of my teeth when I spoke to people. So at the age of 50 I got braces. Metal on the bottom and Damon clear on the top (but they are still very noticeable). I have had them for 15 months and have about 2 months to go. I am very conscious of my braces when speaking to people, but actually not as much as before I had them! I would just go for it if your teeth bother you that my much. I wish I'd done it years ago.

OyWithThePoodles · 20/08/2018 12:07

I would have a consultation for Invisalign to make sure. The dentist may be able to create enough space by filing between your teeth. I wasn't sure if mine were too crowded for it, but it turned out they weren't, and although I've still quite a way to go, I'm absolutely delighted with the results. DD is having it as well, and although her top teeth were very crowded she hasn't had to have any extracted and her teeth look great now.

RayofSun · 20/08/2018 20:37

Invisalign can be used to treat nearly all cases. It's very old fashioned to say that severe cases can't be treated with Invisalign. Actually, that frequently reflects the skills of the orthodontist rather than the brace type itself. Look on the Invisalign Doctor Locator or The Invisible Orthodontist websites to find an experienced provider and get an accurate assessment.

I'm an Orthodontist so PM if I can help you further!!

CharlieBoo · 20/08/2018 23:02

Hi I am almost at the end of my Invisalign treatment. I had severe overcrowding on my bottom teeth. So much so I had a large canine removed to create space. It was hard at first as it was very noticeable but the gap has closed so quickly. I’m more than happy to send you some pics... before and after. I’m delighted with the results.

Sophie12312 · 20/08/2018 23:11

Just curious how long you’d need these in for if teeth are slightly wonky and uneven. I don’t think mine are terrible but definitely could be improved....

puppymouse · 20/08/2018 23:31

Worth going to see a dentist specialising in Invisalign OP. I had it with an overcrowding issue. I've posted before on these threads as I am so chuffed with what they've managed to do. My dentist said I was a fairly tricky case. I think the more complicated it is the more retainers you need and treatment is longer. Creepy before and after pics...

NC4Now · 20/08/2018 23:36

Wow, puppymouse - great results! Dare I ask the approximate cost?
I had removable NHS braces as a kid and loads of teeth removed to deal with over crowding. I’ve only got 24 teeth. No fillings, mind.
I’ve always thought this is as good as it’s going to get, but maybe not?

NC4Now · 20/08/2018 23:41

Self conscious pic

puppymouse · 20/08/2018 23:41

@NC4Now ditto I had train tracks and at least 4 extractions I think. Apparently orthodontists weren't insisting on retainers being worn for long enough. So mine all moved back to where they started. I have sort of had to come to terms with wearing a version of my final Invisalign at night for the foreseeable as my top row just moves so easily without that reinforcement. But it's worth it to me as I love the result.

Cost me 3-4K from memory but I did it on finance over two years through the surgery as it was interest free. I finished paying for it a while ago but they never charge me for check up or follow up consults. I only pay lab fees for replacement retainers. It's fab. Be prepared to get to know the receptionist well though - I was there very regularly!

Sassybynature · 20/08/2018 23:45

I am in my first week of invisilign. I have a deep bite and crowding in my bottom teeth. I have been given 30 trays to start with, hopefully not many more after , so roughly 8 months treatment. The first 4 days were extremely difficult, hated having plastic in my mouth, the tray was rubbing in mouth causing tears, talking was difficult, eating was uncomfortable, gums sore, couldn't drink anything except water, no snacking. I was miserable!!! Regretting I ever got them was an understatement. The thought of having them in for 8 months made me feel sick.
Invisilign is a commitment, make absolute sure you are willing to make changes to your routines. I am only on day 5, I know I need to stick with it as I am paying 4K for the treatment. I do feel a little better today, they say the initial week is the worst so I am trying to stay positive. Arch wired.com has some great advice.

MoltonSilver · 21/08/2018 00:52

I felt that way too sassy but I'm on tray 16 now and I'm delighted I did it. Hang in there. The time flies.

Sassybynature · 21/08/2018 17:26

Thanks for the words of encouragement Molton. Do you ever get to the point when you forget you have them in? It still feels alien to me having them in.

Original poster

GetBackInTime · 21/08/2018 17:34

Thanks to everyone who has replied and shared their photos. I have booked an appointment with an orthodontist for a couple of weeks time. Will see what they have to say, fingers crossed something can be done. I’d happily have train tracks on the bottom row as my bottom teeth never show, with something more discrete on top.

OP posts:

Sassybynature · 21/08/2018 21:01

Have a list of questions ready, it can be information overload. I wish I had done more research, but I just went for it. I do think it will be ok in the end, but initially all the teeth brushing, scheduling food and discomfort came as a shock.

Bella898 · 21/08/2018 21:05

I found invisalign completely useless and would definitely say don't waste your time on them. I had slight overcrowding /overlapping and I wore them religiously for a year only removing them to eat/ drink. At the end of the year the results were so disappointing that my ortho offered to give me full fitted ones for free (for another year)

iknowimcoming · 21/08/2018 21:32

I also had Invisalign treatment for two years before my dentist said it wasn't going to give us the results we had both hoped for although my teeth had dramatically improved. At the outset I was told my teeth were on the borderline of what they would and wouldn't treat with Invisalign. I had 18 months of train tracks after that which wasn't as bad as I thought and if I had my time over I'd go straight for the train tracks - I had to pay for both treatments so eye-wateringly expensive but worth every penny imo. I still get shocked when I see pictures of my old teeth. Oh and most people don't notice braces - I went to work the day after having them removed and no one said a word I was like - I feel really odd with no braces - (I thought maybe they were being polite) and they said oh didn't realise you had them! OP go for it - you won't regret it!

NC4Now · 21/08/2018 21:53

Are the train tracks still like the ones back in the day? The silver ones?

BlueberryMarshmallow · 21/08/2018 21:59

I had severe overcrowding in my bottom teeth and my top teeth were just completely doing their own thing. I was very self conscious about my teeth and dreaded the idea of metal braces however it was the best decision I have made. If I were you I would explore all options and take timescales into account- metal braces is in no way the worst thing in the world I promise :)

Zoosie · 21/08/2018 22:05

Really interested in his.MMA. I’m going for an orthodontist appointment next week.

Dentist said invisalign wouldn’t be suitable for my teeth, although when I mention to people I’m thinking of braces, they say why?😀

Zoosie · 21/08/2018 22:06

Really interested in this, it should say!

OnTopOfSpaghetti · 21/08/2018 22:14

Here are my before and after pics. I am happy with the results, although I do now have a gap where my back molars don't meet properly. Have been reassured by my dentist that this is normal, and should rectify over time, the gap is closing very slowly. Its the only thing I'm not 100% happy with and I may have considered traditional braces if I'd known in advance this could happen.
Slightly off topic but thought it was worth a mention,

OnTopOfSpaghetti · 21/08/2018 22:26

@Sassybynature I'm sure you've been told some of the tricks to make life more comfortable, but here's what helped me :
Rub the edges of a new set of braces gently with an emery board. Very annoyingly, given what Invisalign costs, the edges are often sharp and need smoothing.
Some sets are worse than others for feeling uncomfortable, dental wax is a blessing if you have an edge that is very sore and needs cushioning.
Put a new set in just before you go to bed, with a couple of paracetamol if you need to. That way you have the worst part of having a new set while you're asleep.
You can also use bonjela if you have sore gums.
Hope that helps a bit, you will get used to them over time.

WillWorkForFood · 21/08/2018 23:03

Yes, invisalign can correct overcrowding.

I'm on my last aligner now having undergone the treatment for the same issue as you, but in my upper jaw.

They will have to make room through and depending on the severity of your case will either need to remove one or more teeth, or in milder cases, shave a small amount of the sides of several teeth.

One thing they don;t tell you until you;re commited is that you will have to have attachements cemented on to the front of your teeth. These are little tooth coloured bumps that grip onto the aligner to enable to aligner to pull your teeth into position.

These will be strategically placed onto your teeth in predetermined places. Not all teeth will get them, they will be of different sizes and will not all be in the same place.

The point being is that the attachments are one of the most visible elements of the process, so diminishing the invisible element of the treatment.

Would I have Invisilign again given knowing what I know now, yes. Mainly because I have to do public speaking in my job and I;d be too self conscious to wear train tracks, even if they where tooth coloured so for me, Invisalign was the only option.

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

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