Invisalign. A few potentially stupid questions

[BalladOfBarryAndFreda]

Like most people I had train track braces as a kid and now I’m in my 40’s they’ve moved and could do with a bit of correction. The bottom row are mostly fine, it’s one tooth really. The front left, it’s twisting and dropping. It’s really noticeable in smiles as i have a little narrow mouth and it hangs over my lip (photo 2). So I’m looking into Invisalign correction.

I realise I’m expected to wear it 22hrs a day for correction and remove briefly for meals but what about things like going to the pub and socialising? If i drink anything anything other than water with it in it’s going to get trapped inside the appliance and cause issues, isn’t it? If I take it out for drinks/nights out, I’ll slow my progress.

What do people in the real world do, wearing these things for months on end?

Sorry forgot to add photos

Your teeth look very straight to me. I wouldn’t go through all that faff and expense if I had those teeth!

No experience of Invisalign though - sorry!

How often do you go to the pub and socialise?!

Unless it’s nearly every night removing them while you eat out (they come with a case) isn’t going to be an issue. Same as the pub, once a week not an issue, every night might be. I suppose if it’s liquids you could get into the habit of rinsing them every time you nip for a wee.

I agree that they are mostly pretty straight but that front left dangler is really prominent. Apologies for the photo quality, taken on an iPad’s reversed camera in a low-lit room!

Quite a lot of chat about Invisalign Here

@reallyreallyborednow

How often do you go to the pub and socialise?!

Unless it’s nearly every night removing them while you eat out (they come with a case) isn’t going to be an issue. Same as the pub, once a week not an issue, every night might be. I suppose if it’s liquids you could get into the habit of rinsing them every time you nip for a wee.

It’s definitely not every night but probably once a week when things are normal.

I've got them at the moment and also had it for pretty much one tooth! I'm on week 18 of 20.
If I went to the pub I'd take them out for a few hours.
I went for dinner last night and put them back in after we left the restaurant.

I do feel a bit like I've spend £4000 for the sake of one tooth but it annoyed me and would have only moved more as I aged. Nobody has noticed I've got them in that I know of but when it's come up in conversation everyone has said 'you had lovely straight teeth' etc but it's down to how you feel.

Also, strangely the shape of my teeth now makes my lips appear fuller so it's a bit like free lip fillers thrown in 😂

You change them every week and my dentist told me if you struggle to get the new ones on when you come to change them wear the old ones for another day so worse case you're one day behind!
I've not been perfect wearing mine and never had an issue.

Don't wear them when drinking though as they may stain or become discoloured, you're better off taking them out for a few hours in my opinion.

Thanks @BackforGood, that’s helpful as I have crowns too.

I popped mine out if I was out for a meal, but wouldn't bother if it was just a drink. I used to take travel toothbrush for a quick rinse just in case. You get used to it within the first few weeks.

I always carried a straw for when I was drinking/at the pub etc, and just left them in.

I took them out to eat and for the first couple of months I brushed before putting them back in, then after that I just aggressively mouthwashed and made sure to give my teeth a really good clean before bed! I know you’re not meant to do this but I confessed to my dentist and he just rolled his eyes and laughed!

My teeth were similar to yours to begin with and my treatment only took about five months but I’m so so happy with them! Worth it completely.

I am 4/19 in, and pop to the loo to take them out if I want to eat, then discreetly swill with water and put back in at the table. I reckon as long as you stick with light coloured clear drinks, so white wine or similar, you’d be ok leaving them in if just drinking. I wouldn’t drink red with them in though

Have you had any advice yet Op?
Because I think you may benefit. What has any dentist said about your teeth and having a brace before?

I only ask because sorry. I disagree with a PP I don't think your teeth look straight.
I know absolutely nothing about teeth but your front teeth look overall just have a little bit unbalanced, misplaced. and your bottom teeth look like there caving in? Like they are naturally turning in. Is that what you see?

Does your jaw fit well? Do you get pain?

Go for a consultation at least?

I've just paid for Ds1 to have a brace, he didn't qualify on the NHS and it was very very expensive but I'm hoping that the difference it will make will be huge. to what he looks like Aesthetically. and also the way they sit etc.

I reckon as long as you stick with light coloured clear drinks, so white wine or similar, you’d be ok leaving them in if just drinking. I wouldn’t drink red with them in though

It’s not so much the colour, more that the moulds will hold the liquid, so if you don’t rinse often you’re basically bathing your teeth in sugar/acid (depending on whether fizzy drinks, alcohol, or fruit juice etc…)

Your saliva won’t be able to naturally clear it away like normal.

Also don’t necessarily go with “Invisalign” as a brand; they quoted me nearly 4K but I went with a different dentist who use “smilelign” (I think it’s called...) and it cost me £2k including whitening and composite bonding to make my teeth more perfect at the end! Definitely have a few consultations at different places before committing if you do decide to go ahead

@pinkpeoniesplease

I've got them at the moment and also had it for pretty much one tooth! I'm on week 18 of 20. If I went to the pub I'd take them out for a few hours. I went for dinner last night and put them back in after we left the restaurant.

I do feel a bit like I've spend £4000 for the sake of one tooth but it annoyed me and would have only moved more as I aged. Nobody has noticed I've got them in that I know of but when it's come up in conversation everyone has said 'you had lovely straight teeth' etc but it's down to how you feel.

Also, strangely the shape of my teeth now makes my lips appear fuller so it's a bit like free lip fillers thrown in 😂

You change them every week and my dentist told me if you struggle to get the new ones on when you come to change them wear the old ones for another day so worse case you're one day behind!
I've not been perfect wearing mine and never had an issue.

Don't wear them when drinking though as they may stain or become discoloured, you're better off taking them out for a few hours in my opinion.

Thanks @pinkpeoniesplease, that’s really helpful. My lips are reasonably full, not obvious in those pics as they are stretched but as my mouth is sort of squinched and square. Not millennial, Love Island full but full enough!

I also had orthodontic braces as a teenager (now 50s) and if you had teeth extracted then Invsalign will be a breeze. I had 31 trays and the dentist preferred 1 tray every 2 weeks. I only found them snug for a few days and my teeth moved quickly. I was honest with the dentist and wore them for 20 hours but every day, no exceptions. You are right that over time teeth move. I currently have a fixed invisible brace and still have to wear night time braces. But this was to rescue my smile and tame my Nanny McPhee tooth! I am delighted with result.

honestly I had them and gave up, get the train tracks instead. Quicker and you can’t be tempted to take them off!!!

@Oblomov21

Have you had any advice yet Op? Because I think you may benefit. What has any dentist said about your teeth and having a brace before?

I only ask because sorry. I disagree with a PP I don't think your teeth look straight.
I know absolutely nothing about teeth but your front teeth look overall just have a little bit unbalanced, misplaced. and your bottom teeth look like there caving in? Like they are naturally turning in. Is that what you see?

Does your jaw fit well? Do you get pain?

Go for a consultation at least?

I've just paid for Ds1 to have a brace, he didn't qualify on the NHS and it was very very expensive but I'm hoping that the difference it will make will be huge. to what he looks like Aesthetically. and also the way they sit etc.

No, I haven’t seen an orthodontist yet. I understand your point re my bottom set. I have had my first pre-molars on both sides removed due to failed root canals so the support is gone and I suspect that’s what causing the collapse.

And sorry @Oblomov21, as far as I know, my jaw is fine. No obvious pain, no grinding.

LOL @ ‘NannyMcPhee tooth’ @SmithfamilyRobinson, bang on! Yes, I had 4 teeth (two top, two bottom) when I had fixeds as a kid.

I've just had my consultation and think I'm going to go for it. My top row are fine, but I have one tooth which is moving back a bit due to overcrowding. They really aren't bad, but I, (sounding like a princess here), would like them to be perfectly straight. Consultation was good. Really happy with the dentist etc. I was surprised it takes so long though! I thought they'd say, because there isn't that much noticeably wrong with them, it would be 6 months, but they said 12-18. So something to bear in mind. I spoke to someone who has them in and she said you just get into the habit of it and she brings a little kit out with her, with a toothbrush and toothpaste etc. I go out for a night out fairly rarely, so I'm ok with doing that.

*4 teeth EXTRACTED

@reallyreallyborednow, that’s my understanding. My enamel is already shite thanks to years of bulimia (I’m ok at the moment) so I’m wary of anything that puts it at further risk.

Meant to say o ne tooth on the bottom and one on the top - the bottom is way worse to me.

Isn’t it funny @MaryTheMiddle, I’m less bothered by my bottoms because people don’t really see them.

Nights out I packed a stainless steel straw and used that for drinks. If I was eating out I would remove braces and give my teeth a quick clean in the loos and put brace back in or chew some gum if that was more practical. I didn’t take them out for hot drinks at home either, just used a straw.
It’s a pain, but I’m very pleased with the results.

Thank you for the advice all, I’m v grateful