Experiences of Invisalign

[kkelly82]

Hi there. So I think I’ve decided to have Invisalign to address overcrowding and improve my smile. I’ve had the clin check completed by a dentist so know roughly what the process will involve if I go ahead. I’ll need 32 aligners, several attachments and some filing to make room for my teeth to move. Having got the clin check back I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the information. I was expecting to have a fairly large number of aligners but wasn’t expecting the volume of attachments or filing. It doesn’t help that my dentist appears rather arrogant and is very matter of fact so I’m now contemplating seeing a different dentist but I’d obviously be starting all over again with the consultation and clin check fees.
So now I’m wondering if it’s even worth it. It would be helpful to hear of people’s experiences of Invisalign- the good, the bad and the ugly! Also any advice on things you’d wish you’d known before the process started so that I can be fully informed. TIA.

I also had a filling. Didn't hurt at all, not even the local anaesthetic. Go for it OP. I promise you won't look back.

I've been to orthodontist with one DC and we had the choice of standard braces, ceramic or Invisalign for them. We're going for ceramic as near invisible and no hassle of removing them at school to eat / cleaning teeth afterwards.

I mean when they're out it's much easier to talk and I get all my Ss out normally. When theyre in it's a slight effort and I do lisp a bit.

My biggest issue is that I 'worry' them all day and have developed a bad habit of sucking at them which looks AWFUL to other people. I also chew and clench them when they're in, I know when to change them as I've usually made a hole in the canine bit! But they're working and the results so far are great. When I did do research on the traditional style, ceramic and Invisalign methods I saw a lot of people saying they had a lot of pain, difficulty eating and speech issues with traditional methods and the ceramic stains over time. But for me this is a bit of a luxury rather than a dental necessity so it probably varies depending on what you need.

@twothirty5th You’re teeth look fantastic. Maybe all the faff will be worth it!

I had Smilealign at my dentists, 3 years ago. Same sort of thing. I am fairly happy with the results, it certainly straightened out my front teeth. It meant committing to fortnightly dental visits for a year. They aren't quite as perfect as I hoped because the whitening stuff made my teeth unbearably sensitive, so I stopped at fairly white, rather than dazzling. I have a retainer to wear at night, a wire was originally placed behind the teeth to keep them in place, but it kept breaking off.

@StarInTheHeavens my teeth moved back after train tracks…had those for 18 months at 14, not as bad but bad enough for me now to be doing Invisalign at 40, I’ve been going back and forth for over 10 years on whether to do it so it’s not like they’ve just moved back I reckon I got about 7 years before they started to move after traditional braces.

I'm interested in this too, would love to have better teeth. Can anyone give me an idea of about how much the whole thing costs?

£4k

@Wallowingwendy - I suck at mine too! Glad it’s not just me. I find when I do that my lips get really dry too from however I do it.

I found my practitioner on the Invisalign website. They have different grades, platinum, diamond, gold etc. I rang different orthodontists and asked them what they charged and if they had any special offers. I go about once every 2 months so I don’t mind a short journey for the price difference.

I found my practitioner on the Invisalign website. They have different grades, platinum, diamond, gold etc. I rang different orthodontists and asked them what they charged and if they had any special offers. I go about once every 2 months so I don’t mind a short journey for the price difference.

@Glittertwins I'd say around the 2yr mark. But I've worn night retainers every night without fail. My teeth were fixed by Prof Hunt at the Eastman Dental Hospital. He said the 'ligaments' or whatever they're called that hold teeth in place are like elastic bands and that over time they pull the teeth back again to where they first were. A permanent wire is the only lifetime solution.

Interesting thread! Have been quoted £4,000 for aligners and whitening, and £500 for the clin check. Such a lot of money for something that could have been fixed for free if my parents had bothered to take me to a dentist as a kid!

@StarInTheHeavens - I can ask about that being fitted retrospectively

Can I ask how much fixed braces from a dentist cost, from anyone who's gone for that option? (Ceramic or not?) Thanks

My fixed braces cost 1800but from an orthodontist. Im not sure a dentist can do fixed braces. I have a fixed wire on my bottom teeth as they were very crooked.

My DC's will be £2700 from private orthodontist

Sorry, that's for ceramic
£2300 for normal

Thanks for sharing the costs of fixed braces, Glitter and Meno. Just caught back up with the thread! I'd love to get mine done one day.

I assure you you won't regret having Invisalign. it is a better option. My sister has been using retainers for more than 1 and a half years. A few months ago, she changed to Invisalign. The Invisalign measurements should be accurate and it should fit properly. So make sure to get it from the best Invisalign providers. My sister's Invisalign fits well and she is comfortable wearing it. It is removable. She can remove it while having food. Also, it is easy to clean and maintain. Moreover, she could feel the result. Her teeth were misaligned and now she could see the positive results. The teeth look way better than before. She smiles better and has improved her confidence. Happy for her!

I have no experience with Invisalign but have met some very arrogant and poor dentists in my time.
Go with a dentist you trust/personal recommendation, or an orthodontist.