Invisalign

[westr]

Hello all. I had Invisalign fitted today and would love some positive stories about how quickly I'm going to get used to them because at the moment I'm thinking this may have been a very expensive mistake!

Thanks for your kind wishes everyone

Tray 2 now and it only felt tight for a little while . I did put the second tray on half a day earlier so I could put it on at bedtime but I think that was justified considering they're on for at least 23 hours a day . No more sore mouth whilst the trays are on but they feel sore without the braces . And I'm not sure if I'm imagining things but I swear my teeth look straighter already or maybe it's the medication making me imagine things

Haha @mooncats me too with thinking my teeth have moved already, no issues for me with tray two.

I started Invisalign just before lockdown 1. Am currently waiting for my second set of refinements; it’s annoying waiting for them to ship, I’ll have been wearing these about seven weeks by the time I get my new ones.

I hated them the first two weeks. Lost 10lbs due to stopping snacking, but then just slipped into eating bigger meals!

I occasionally still get sores and I definitely still grind my teeth (though they’re covered by the aligners), but my teeth are now almost perfect.

I’ve been thinking about Invisalign for ages - like quite a few people my teeth have moved back after having braces as a child. This thread has been the push I needed but I’m really concerned about visiting at the moment - because of covid. Can anyone help me with some reassurances for the final push?

@LadderBookcase now is the time to do it! I'm thinking about how much trickier it would be if I was at work, meeting people, socialising etc. Come out of pandemic with beautiful teeth!

My dentist is all well set up for COVID, only thing I would advise is it's freezing because of all the ventilation they do between patients.

So happy to have found this thread! Hang in there OP, it does get better after a week to 10 days.

How many sets of trays do you have? I am on set 5 of 35 and west each set for 2 weeks. I did start off with actual metal wire braces top and bottom for 4 months and the difference is incredible already. No extractions here either.

It definitely gets easier and I actually feel weirder without them now. The lisp in the beginning is inevitable but you do get used to them.

@westr so glad I found this thread! I got mine fitted on the same day as you and went through all of the same feelings - I thought it was the most expensive mistake I ever made! The only thing that stopped me from ripping them out was that I had several bottom teeth filed down and they look very creepy now with the gaps so I have to see it through 😂
Mine are definitely a lot better but I still wouldn't say they are unnoticeable. They still feel quite thick on my mouth, although I have noticed that when I have them out and run my tongue over my normal teeth they feel like they are razor sharp, but obviously that's just in comparison to the aligners.
How are people doing with drinks, has anyone been drinking anything other than water (ie tea/coffee!) with them in? Through a straw? I've found that to be the most annoying bit. Going for a walk and getting a takeaway coffee to stroll around with is one of life's only pleasures at the moment. So far I have been taking them out to drink the coffee, then putting them back in until I get home where I brush/clean etc.

@knockeduplockeddown I’ve finished my treatment now, but I used to drink tea/coffee with a straw. I got some stainless steel straws that came with a little bag, and I would take them out with me in my handbag. I’d also drink alcohol through a straw, otherwise they were out for too long in the evening

@Aftertheharvest Thanks for the encouragement - I’ve just booked an appointment!

Did everyone shop around to compare prices? And to compare with traditional braces. My oldest dd currently has train tracks but Her orthodontist is quite a way away so I’ve booked in with the Invisalign provider just round the corner

My dentist did an assessment and went through the options this included traditional but Invisalign was quicker and more suitable for me. I didn't shop around because of the convenience of where the practice is but have paid a lot more than some others because of this.

@knockeduplockeddown it's good to know there's a few of us in this together!

I've been drinking wine and coffee through a straw.

I'm quite used to the aligners now but still lisping a bit and I think they are quite noticeable. But it's only been 2 1/2 weeks so.... I'm sure my teeth are a bit straighter already though.

Bringing to the top for ju233.

I'm a few years on from my invisalign and it is without question one of the best things I've ever spent money on. I actually put the whole thing on a 0% credit card ...

Anyway, to answer a few questions that have come up:

• I have loads of fillings and it hasn't been an issue

• I ended up pregnant half way through treatment and had very bad hyperemesis. I couldn't tolerate them being in during the day as they started to make me gag, so I ended up only wearing them overnight for about 7hrs. I never told my orthodontist and he never commented

• I had retainers fixed top and bottom for ~£200 extra. Money very well spent

• I wear my non-fixed retainer for a few weeks overnight a couple of times a year, as even with fixed retainers there is slight movement

• it cost around 4k for 20 trays top and bottom inc whitening and non-fixed retainers. Posh clinic up north. My very non posh dentist said she would charge same. I chose somewhere on recommendation after seeing someone at work suddenly have amazing teeth.

Can't recommend highly enough!

Can I ask when you eat or drink anything do yoh have to brush your teeth afterwards? Also do they look really strange to wear? I know they are clear and in photos they don't look too noticible but I'm worried I will be self conscious 😬

I brush every time I eat or drink coffee. I drink water and weak squash without cleaning afterwards.

I think I look like I'm wearing a gum shield but that's probably just me being paranoid. My other half didn't notice them for ages and no one had said anything on zoom.

Everyone - I'm panicking a little as there seems to be a gap growing between my front teeth. Any one else have this? I'm going to call my dentist tomorrow.

Oh no @westr - nothing like that here. Think may have seen a bit of movement on bottom teeth but may be positive thinking!

I emailed him and he responded immediately thankfully! It's completely normal apparently as the teeth move. Phew!

How are you getting on @Aftertheharvest?

@westr that's a relief! Doing great, really used to them now. Not sure if there is any actual difference, on tray 5.

Coming up to tray 5 soon , going well so far . I think it helps we're in lockdown as there's no social eating ( sadly ) so probably getting much more wear time . Will be more of a faff once we're able to meet up and eat out / go for coffees etc

I agree @mooncats / even simple things like a coffee on commute or in office would be such a faff.

How long are you keeping them in for each day? I'm around 21-21.5 hours most days

Ooh I'm thinking of doing this I'm glad I've found this thread! I decided two weeks ago to try to improve my teeth. I've been brushing twice a day with an electric toothbrush and Pearl Drops and flossing with whitening floss which has already removed lots of the coffee and (from years ago) smoking staining. But they are so wonky! I've almost got one tooth that's grown out on the bottom because there's just no space for it it's horrible. I wonder if these would work on a tooth that's so out of place?

Also not sure as my wisdom teeth are still coming through (at 37!). I don't want to spend thousands only to have them go wonky again and those bloody teeth come through more!

@brunetteonthebus a dentist/ortho would need to tell you whether eligible but it's amazing how 'wonky' some of the before pictures are. In dons cases they remove teeth I've had IPL to take the tiniest bits of the side of my teeth to make room (sounds horrible but painless).

@westr I think I'm about the same, but on the whole just take out 3 times a day.

My bottom teeth are so crooked I never thought they could get fixed but my dentist seems to think Invisalign will work so definitely worth checking it out.