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Original poster

Invisalign- tell me to woman up!

228 replies

SharyBobbins · 02/05/2019 17:12

I had a consultation for Invisalign today and I'm in turmoil! I'm hoping some of you may have already had it or be in the middle of having it and are willing to help talk me off the ceiling!
I have an irrational fear of dentist so just sitting in the waiting room today had me in tears. I've been that distracted all day I've only just realised I've not had lunch (not like me at all!).
The thing is that I hate my smile. I try not to smile, not let people sit a certain side of me (my crooked top teeth are more noticeable on one side that the other). In every photo my lips are firmly sealed. I cry at the thought of living the rest of my adult life being so self-conscious. I want to be confident for me and for my little girl. That Jess Glynne song (Thursday?) makes me cry in the car. Despite all of that, having never even had a filling, I am terrified of interfering with my teeth when I don't "need" to. The dentist said I'd need them on the top and the bottom (which also made me upset as I thought the bottoms were alright). I'll need to wear them for 9-12 months in total. I think I can be disciplined enough to maximise their potential during and after with the retainer. But I'm getting put off as from what I have read they aren't really "invisible". The adhesive dots which they attach to your teeth seem to ruin that and given my front two teeth are the issue I imagine I'd need some on there. I keep swinging between thinking I just accept my imperfections and leave it to thinking that sorting my smile will genuinely improve my confidence and if I can then why shouldn't it. I'm also scared of being even more self conscious due to having plastic and random dots in my mouth 22 hours a day but on the other hand I'm so self conscious of my teeth anyway so I might as well be a tad more self conscious for the next year or so and possibly come out with some good results.
Can anyone offer any advice or experience?
Sorry for ramble. My DH isn't home yet and when I talked this through with my toddler she didn't care enough to offer any good advice Wink

OP posts:
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Thelineisadottoyou · 02/05/2019 20:43

I could have almost written your post 5 years ago. My teeth were in such a mess! I was terrified of dentists but I was flicking through pictures and thought that’s it! The only option for me though was metal braces and I ended up being referred back to the NHS because they were particularly bad. Find a good dentist you feel comfortable with as it makes the world of difference and take it one step at a time.

I had them taken off yesterday after 4 years of wearing them and can honestly say it’s the best thing I have done. I work in law enforcement and was braced (haha) for insults but I have only had endless people confiding in me about their own teeth hangups!

Don’t worry about people seeing them and whatever you do don’t go for the quick fix 6 months smile. Happy to help if you have any questions!

user100987 · 02/05/2019 20:52

This is timely as I booked a consultation today for the end of the month. I only really want my bottom row sorting out and l have an idea of what it'll be like as I've worn a mouth guard every night for the past 12 years (for teeth grinding/clenching) (realise it's probably nothing like that and of course wearing it during the day too).
Great to hear the honest feedback.

hullaballoonie · 02/05/2019 20:59

EdWinchester thank youSmile

ememem84 · 02/05/2019 21:01

The teeth shaving feels weird. Not painful. Just buzzy.

I leave mine in for drinking. Take out for eating. It’s fine.

BuzzPeakWankBobbly · 02/05/2019 21:04

I'm considering train tracks as well - Invisalign just seems like more faff spread over a longer period for more cost!

Don't really get the love for something that's such a practical pita every day!

Theredjellybean · 02/05/2019 21:11

I am on week 5 of my invisilign
I hate it.
It is an absolute faff... In out cleaning teeth after every cup of coffee etc.
I hate the feel of them and wake in the night with horrid taste in my mouth and have to get up and clean again.
I wish I'd has fixed braces.. Much less hassle but my dentist said they'd take longer and I why wouldn't I want invisilign if I could have them.
He didn't tell me about not even being able to drink water with taking them out, nor did he warn me about the chewie thing.

But I will have lovely straight teeth and mine are pretty crooked, I hate photos where I am smiling and the invisilign are indeed invisible.. I am trying to just get on with it tbh.

Original poster
SharyBobbins · 02/05/2019 21:14

hullaballoonie your smile is amazing! Really hope I get results like yours. Thanks for the honest feedback too.

Thelineisadottoyou it's good to know that people were kind to you, I work in a public service too so I'm expecting a few comments. So should have done this whilst on maternity leave!!

OP posts:
Original poster
SharyBobbins · 02/05/2019 21:16

Genuinely, thank you so much to everyone who is replying, it's good to hear so many people haven't regretted getting braces!

OP posts:
Original poster
SharyBobbins · 02/05/2019 21:22

I should have said in the OP, I spoke to the dentist about what would happen if I got pregnant during the process- he said it wouldn't matter providing I'd already got passed the x-ray stage?

OP posts:
Lucked · 02/05/2019 21:27

I got braces as an adult about 21 years ago when very few adults got them. Honestly you will be surprised at how normal it becomes very quickly and so few people commented.

Beachbodynowayready · 02/05/2019 21:36

I was advised metal braces would give the best results as not enough space between for other options.
My dc have been very supportive,as has dh!!
Paid a deposit and can pay a bit at each appointment after that.

SophoclesTheFox · 02/05/2019 21:37

Thanks for starting, op. So interesting to hear the experiences. I had a quote recently for Invisalign on my bottom teeth and I am tempted. Though I do have to say that I can’t see too much of a benefit over traditional braces and as a snacker, the hassle factor does sound high...

rosequartz10 · 02/05/2019 21:47

I really want Invisalign too, but I had a consultation and the dentist said I would need teeth out, which scared me, so I decided against it 😭 wish I could get the courage up to bite the bullet, as logically I know it is short term pain for long term gain, but I just can't manage it...

Thanks to the PP who posted their before and after - your teeth look great!

Jojo19834 · 02/05/2019 21:53

Do it do it do it!! I have just had my retainer fitted today after 10 months of treatment and am so pleased. I never really even focussed on my teeth, it was semi by accident I did it but Oh My God has it changed my smile and my whole face. So pleased. There is nothing to worry about and the time will fly. If you truly hate your teeth and smile that much you MUST do it as you won’t regret it, I promise

BelindasRedPlasticHandcuffs · 02/05/2019 22:15

I just had mine taken off last week and can't stop (full, teeth-on-show) smiling! It was absolutely the right decision to get them for me. My teeth weren't terrible before but my front two were noticeably twisted (to me at any rate) and my bite needed adjusting. I actually quite liked having the trays in by the end - I felt like my teeth were protected from bumping them with cups etc so now they feel quite bare! I have a fixed retainer so still have bumps at the back of my teeth now but it isn't visible.

I had attachments everywhere on the front teeth and yes they were noticeable but when you're talking etc people genuinely don't realise they're in. I only really noticed them in photos when I was looking for them.

This picture is of mine a couple of months ago showing the attachments (face cropped to protect the innocent Grin). Yes you can see them so they aren't totally invisible but I don't think they're too terrible and you can't make out the aligner. Much less noticeable when you aren't zoomed right in too!

Invisalign- tell me to woman up!
FromEden · 02/05/2019 23:12

On that note, how did you all manage with eating and drinking? Did you have to give up tea/coffee? I read somewhere it can stain the dots/bumps?

I started drinking (cooled down) coffee through a straw with mine in after a few weeks. Couldnt be doing with the faff everytime I wanted to drink a cup! I take them out to drink tea though as that's more staining. I also drink white wine wearing them sometimes (rinsing with water occasionally during and brushing thoroughly when I'm done). My attachments haven't stained at all, or the trays. I got an ultrasonic cleaner and put them in there for a few minutes twice a day.

It's very noninvasive, the worst part is having the attachments put on and wearing the horrible mouth opener thing. I'm having IPR at my next appointment so that might change though.

Get them, you won't regret it. I've had them since January and can already see a big difference.

IAmNotPatientOrPregnant · 03/05/2019 02:11

@ememem84. You should never leave them in for drinking. Unless its water.
The drink gets stuck in the aligned and your basically just bathing your teeth in it causing staining and/or decay.
I'm in horror you leave them in Shock

FromEden · 03/05/2019 03:40

The drink gets stuck in the aligned and your basically just bathing your teeth in it causing staining and/or decay

Not if you pop out the aligners and rinse them and also rinse out mouth, then brush thoroughly at the first opportunity surely? That and using a straw must minimise the contact with teeth? I've read countless stories of people doing this with no ill effects

hullaballoonie · 03/05/2019 06:13

You really are supposed to just drink water when they're in. Yes there are lots of people who drink through straws but as IAmNoPatient says its not advised at all, the liquid sits in the aligners until you next remove them. Also if you have a hot drink you risk warping them as they are made of fairly thin plastic. I stuck to water only given that I was spending thousands on achieving a perfect smile it seemed a bit daft to risk damaging my teeth or the aligners for the sake of a cuppa. I used to have a cup of tea with meals, and sometimes when I got home I'd pop them out for 10 mins to drink a cup of tea then rinse with water and put them back in. Its a pain but its not for ever.

Original poster
SharyBobbins · 03/05/2019 07:06

Theredjellybean I'm sorry I missed your post yesterday. How come you can drink water with yours in? What's the "chewie thing" you mentioned?

OP posts:
washinemachinegoinground · 03/05/2019 07:08

I’ve had two sets of train tracks and ten years of cosmetic dental treatment due to being blessed with horrendously wonky teeth.
Just do it. It’s amazing. You’ll feel so much more confident at the end and you’ll wonder why you worried after

puppymouse · 03/05/2019 07:10

40 this year. Had Invisalign about 6 years ago. I love my teeth now. I had top and bottom and dentist was still fiddling about with new retainers last year as one of my fronts slipped back when a retainer snapped. You have to be really committed and wear the retainer as long as the dentist says.

I didn't find it visible. I was a consultant at the time I had kind and was seeing clients regularly. Nobody commented or even noticed I don't think.

PixieDust26 · 03/05/2019 07:15

I'm a dental nurse and we carry out a lot of Invisalign treatment. The composite attachments really aren't that visible nor the aligner it self. We have great results and it definitely boosts your confidence when smiling etc! For the treatment itself if you do decide to go ahead with it be assured that there is no pain when we attach composite attachments and aligners the only uncomfortable feeling will be from your teeth shifting x

hullaballoonie · 03/05/2019 07:42

@washinemachinegoinground 10 years?ShockShockShock I have nothing but respect for you!

Theredjellybean · 03/05/2019 08:17

I was told not to drink anything not even water with them in, and not even a straw would make a difference.
The chewie is a small plastic coated foam roller you have to chew for at least an hour every day.. Doesn't sound bad but is a nuisance and I keep gagging on it.
Also my teeth really hurt... The dental nurse who said it doesn't hurt has maybe not had invisilign because my teeth are super sensitive and painful, I certainly could not eat an apple at the moment!