I do remember reading a post where someone said they questioned their orthodontist about the buttons and they said they would have to order something new then if he didn't want those buttons. So could I just ask the orthodontist to just order me something so I wouldn't have to worry about the buttons, or am I gonna need them no matter what?

Thanks you guys for any help you can offer, I found this thread very useful. Also, maybe someone can recommend me a good orthodontist in the so. california area. Anywhere near fontana, which means Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario...

the trays need a point of contact on your teeth to be able to do their job right. the trays alone can't rotate or pull down your teeth per your treatment.

as for the starbucks... you might be able to get away with it once in awhile, but it's better not to start making exceptions.

insurance... it depends on your plan. i don't have insurance and it's costing me about $6K.

appearance of buttons... they match the composite material to your teeth. i think people have to look hard to see them. unless you're in face-to-face customer service and have to smile a lot, people aren't going to notice.

ortho referral... unfortunately, my ortho is in orange county. check the invisalign site for a preferred (or is it premiere?) provider. get a couple of consultations, and ask a lot of questions. from the horror stories on this board, you definitely want 1) an experienced ortho, 2) who is completely truthful and upfront about the difficulty of your treatment, 3) and won't let you change your trays every week.

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Originally posted by B:
Ok wow, I just read through all 15 pages but I still have a couple of questions. One, would I be able to drink a frap from starbucks with them on(using only a straw of course)? I drink a lot of starbucks =\ I'm thinking no because of the whole sugar thing, right? No big deal, I would just end up saving money. Ok second, about the price. You guys are saying you spend about $4,000-6,000. Is that after your insurance has covered for some of it or not? And finally, does anyone have any pictures of how the invisalign looks with the 'buttons' on them?(maybe someone will be kind enough to post a pic of theirs or at least direct to where I can see said pictures =D). I just want to see how noticeable they really are.

I do remember reading a post where someone said they questioned their orthodontist about the buttons and they said they would have to order something new then if he didn't want those buttons. So could I just ask the orthodontist to just order me something so I wouldn't have to worry about the buttons, or am I gonna need them no matter what?

Thanks you guys for any help you can offer, I found this thread very useful. Also, maybe someone can recommend me a good orthodontist in the so. california area. Anywhere near fontana, which means Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario...

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When I first got my aligners in, it was almost impossible for me to take them out. My dentist had to give me a little tool to help. Now I can get them in and out very easily.

I too have cut down on snacking and biting my nails.

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Originally posted by Lee:
When I have kids, I am going to glue their retainer to the top of their mouth. [/B]

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Another question I have is related to what appears to be a loose tooth. Throughout my treatment (I'm on aligner 7) one tooth in particular seems to be the one most moved. It's not loose, loose, but just wiggles a bit when I touch it. Nothing serious. Should I be concerned about this? Will further movement cause this tooth to become "unrooted" and consequently fall out?

Anyway, if I could get some responses from these two questions, I'd be most appreciative.

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Originally posted by ROBINCT:
I'm wondering it is OK to change trays on alternating weeks.

Another question I have is related to what appears to be a loose tooth."

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My orthodontist has consulted Invisalign and it is possible to change your aligners at different times, my lowers are not moving at the same rate as my uppers so i currently have Upper Aligner 9 in for two weeks and Lower Aligner 5 in for 3. The discomfort of wearing aligners tends to go away during the first few days of changing them and i find it much easier to change them on the same day rather than go through pretty much the same discomfort twice, if that makes sense. I would speak to your orthodontist if you decide to go down that road so your treatment stays on track.

Regarding the loose tooth, I would also consult your orthodontist, it could be a number of factors and your ortho will know the best course to take.

L's entry is right on point.

I am currently on my 12th of 24 liners (halfway-through! yay!). When I got my first set and my dentist put the buttons on)I have 5 buttons on top, 2 on the bottom), I was somewhat self-conscious. However, no one notices them unless you point them out. They match your tooth enamel exactly. I didn't tell my co-workers that I started Invisalign until a week after, and they were all surprised!

Starbucks - You can still have your Frap, but brush your teeth and rinse your liners as soon as possible when you're done... to prevent bad breath. It sounds inconvenient, but you get used to it.

Orthodontists - It's very important to get several consultations. I went to one orthodontist who told me my case was complex, and quoted me $7500. I was all set to go with her price, until a friend of a friend recommended another orthodontist (right across the street too!) who also told me my case was complex, and only charged me $6000... and I couldn't be happier. It definitely pays to shop around.

Unfortunately, I'm in NYC so I can't refer you to an orthodontist...

Good luck!!

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I also saw another posting about being able to wiggle a tooth. This past week, I just noticed that I could do that too... Please let me know what your orthodontist says. I trust that it's normal since the teeth are rotating, but will definitely ask my orthodontist about it during my next office visit.

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Originally posted by I:
to me, it doesn't make sense not having the buttons.

the trays need a point of contact on your teeth to be able to do their job right. the trays alone can't rotate or pull down your teeth per your treatment.

as for the starbucks... you might be able to get away with it once in awhile, but it's better not to start making exceptions.

insurance... it depends on your plan. i don't have insurance and it's costing me about $6K.

appearance of buttons... they match the composite material to your teeth. i think people have to look hard to see them. unless you're in face-to-face customer service and have to smile a lot, people aren't going to notice.

ortho referral... unfortunately, my ortho is in orange county. check the invisalign site for a preferred (or is it premiere?) provider. get a couple of consultations, and ask a lot of questions. from the horror stories on this board, you definitely want 1) an experienced ortho, 2) who is completely truthful and upfront about the difficulty of your treatment, 3) and won't let you change your trays every week.

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Hope this helps. I was worried as well at first but since then I have felt it a few other times when i have moved to a new set but it goes away after the first few days.

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Originally posted by ROBINCT:
Hi all! I have a few questions that I hope will elicit some helpful responses. First, I want to say that I recently received my upper aligners. It took me about 3-4 days to adjust to them, but now I don't even notice. One of the difficulties I had during the first few days was the constant abrasion against my tongue. My tongue was so sore, it was difficult to eat and talk. I'm wondering it is OK to change trays on alternating weeks. For example, I would keep my uppers in for three weeks rather than two, but change my lowers at the regular two-week interval. After a week, I would change my uppers. In this way, I would change each aligner on alternating weeks. I'm thinking about this to alleviate the discomfort of having two new aligners in at the same time. Perhaps it will create a smoother, less painful transition and better articulation. I have concerns about this scenario, however. For example, must the aligners be changed at the EXACT same time because "upper/lower" alignment is critical?

Another question I have is related to what appears to be a loose tooth. Throughout my treatment (I'm on aligner 7) one tooth in particular seems to be the one most moved. It's not loose, loose, but just wiggles a bit when I touch it. Nothing serious. Should I be concerned about this? Will further movement cause this tooth to become "unrooted" and consequently fall out?

Anyway, if I could get some responses from these two questions, I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks bunches.
Keep on smiling!
"One day closer to straighter teeth!"

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Reminder to self...don't fiddle with the loose tooth!!

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Originally posted by CL:
B:

I also saw another posting about being able to wiggle a tooth. This past week, I just noticed that I could do that too... Please let me know what your orthodontist says. I trust that it's normal since the teeth are rotating, but will definitely ask my orthodontist about it during my next office visit.

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The longer answer is, "Yes, but you can make a few exceptions as long as you're diligent about dental hygiene". You really can't eat with the aligners in, so you must take them out prior to eating. And, it's definitely advisable to floss and brush before you put them back in.

As for drinking hot or sugary beverages, some people suggest using a straw to minimize conact with teeth and aligners. The aligners will trap food particles and sugars next to your teeth where they can begin the process of decay. Also, some liquids may stain the aligners. Tea, coffee, colas and red wine are potential culprits. If I drink anything other than water with my aligners in, I also alternate with water to rinse as I go. For example, if I go out for a beer with friends, I'll drink with my aligners in, but, as soon as possible, I go and at least brush my teeth. No sense in getting a bunch of cavities while going to the effort and expense of beautifying my smile.

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Jay: Thanks for explanation re: wiggly teeth!

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Originally posted by JB82:
I just have one question, do you guys experience pain in the back of your mouth--maybe ALL the farthest molars to the back? I need to know if this is normal or if it's my ingrown wisdom teeth that are causing me pain. My ortho didn't say I need to remove any teeth...initially?!?! I'm not in agonizing pain, I just feel "like ripping out my cheeks" annoyed!

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Originally posted by pat:
I am in the process of getting Invisalign braces and I am afraid I have not done my homework on them. Does anyone know how inconvenient it is to wear them and also to remove them in order to eat? I understand that you hve to brush and floss your teeth before putting the braces back on after eating. I would appreciate commnets from anyone who has gone thru the process. I am still able to back out of the Invisalign (at a cost) and go the traditional braces route but then again I don't think I want to do that.

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Originally posted by Karen:
I have had invisalign for only one week now. The first couple days it was extremely difficult for me to remove them. They attached these white (scratchy) button things to my teeth (ugghhh) that catch on the invisalign retainer. Initially the best thing I could find to remove them was one of those metal sticks with rubber (for cleaning your teeth) with the rubber piece removed. Initially I was unable to remove it with just using my fingernails. After 3 days, I found that it started to pop in and pop out quite easily. I noticed that I was clinching alot (especially at night), and I really needed to get myself to relax my mouth. I broke out with cold sores on day 4 (I haven't had cold sores in years). I think it was the stress of wearing this appliance in my mouth. There hasn't been much pain so far, and I can notice some movement already in my back teeth, so I guess they're working. I like the fact that they're practically invisible, though I do notice that I have a subtle lisp at times. I think I am starting to get used to them a bit, and I think I'll make it... I really wasn't sure in the first 3-4 days that I would be able to stand it for the duration. Braces or invisalign... well I wouldn't do the braces, so for me it would be nothing if the invisilign didn't work. I think I'll make it though. Oh yes, I do feel a bit rushed at mealtime, thinking I have to get the braces back into my mouth.

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Originally posted by Swag:
Hey I was wondering if you just get invisalign for the top only? What would be your guess on the price for the top set only? Thanks

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By the way, when I first got Invisalign, my ortho suggested that I drink a glass of warm water if I really had problems removing the aligners. That might help...

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Originally posted by Karen:
I have had invisalign for only one week now. The first couple days it was extremely difficult for me to remove them. They attached these white (scratchy) button things to my teeth (ugghhh) that catch on the invisalign retainer. Initially the best thing I could find to remove them was one of those metal sticks with rubber (for cleaning your teeth) with the rubber piece removed. Initially I was unable to remove it with just using my fingernails. After 3 days, I found that it started to pop in and pop out quite easily. I noticed that I was clinching alot (especially at night), and I really needed to get myself to relax my mouth. I broke out with cold sores on day 4 (I haven't had cold sores in years). I think it was the stress of wearing this appliance in my mouth. There hasn't been much pain so far, and I can notice some movement already in my back teeth, so I guess they're working. I like the fact that they're practically invisible, though I do notice that I have a subtle lisp at times. I think I am starting to get used to them a bit, and I think I'll make it... I really wasn't sure in the first 3-4 days that I would be able to stand it for the duration. Braces or invisalign... well I wouldn't do the braces, so for me it would be nothing if the invisilign didn't work. I think I'll make it though. Oh yes, I do feel a bit rushed at mealtime, thinking I have to get the braces back into my mouth.

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Originally posted by jennifer:
im glad i found this site. i went about a month ago to my free consulation. it took forever to actually find someone that really had a free consulation (no records fees, this, that, or the other). he said i was a candidate. i live in atlanta, ga and got quoted for $5400 for 12 months. however, they told me i was on the border of being able to wear the new invisalign seven. which is supposed to only take 7-9 months and cost less. she said that they wouldnt know which one i would be able to do until a couple of months after contact with invisalign. hope its the seven because she said it would be about 2000 less!!! so only $3400 would be great. oddly enough i was told even with the seven it would still take me about 12 months?? well whatever, if its cheaper! my insurance pays a lifetime of $1000. if i dont get the cheaper one my downpayment would be $2000 with monthly payments of $283! they have a descent financing plan available there as well.
i just completed the very expensive task of 2 root canals 2 crowns and 4 fillings they told me i had to have before i could get started. im ready to go!!

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Originally posted by madgurl:

I tried to do this I was quoted 4600 for tops only and ended up doing the bottom also for 6100 total because of lab fees in case I changed my mind about the minor crowding on the bottom. Also note, that it would feel incredibly weird with one tray in. I am on week 3 now. (madison, wi)

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Before starting my biggest worry was the visible factor of the braces , Im a profesional athlete in Canada and I am starting to currently be featured in magazines and telivision so having an wearing them for only one day they are immpossible to notice alternative to metal braces was a must. I was really iffy on the braces being noticable but I can confidently say after if you are wearing them . Im very impressed with that ,

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Originally posted by Glitter Star:
well I had 2 gavitis and I ha dthem filled before starting the invisalign process.
My ortho called today and said that his invisalign rep said that my molds were perfect, so they are now sendng them out. I am so excited. Also he said his last invisalign client got he clincheck back in a week. Which was only a couple of days ago. So I may be getting mine back soon. He said they have a fast response from invisalign on average. I can't wait to see how long my treatment is going to be. I'll stay posted.

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Originally posted by Shadow:
I have found this board helpful in obtaining some information on Invisalign . I am on my second day of first set of trays, and my personal experience of them already has been a complete opposite of what I expected. I thought they would be easy to take in and out and take care of , but very noticible.

Before starting my biggest worry was the visible factor of the braces , Im a profesional athlete in Canada and I am starting to currently be featured in magazines and telivision so having an wearing them for only one day they are immpossible to notice alternative to metal braces was a must. I was really iffy on the braces being noticable but I can confidently say after if you are wearing them . Im very impressed with that ,

However , they have been difficult to take out , especially my bottom set. I hope they become easier as the treatment goes on.

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Originally posted by Jennifer:

I live in DC and will be wearing the trays for 11 months...the cost was $4,000 which includes everything. Some of the prices in these posts seem pretty high!

Love these posts, they are answering lots of questions.....

Jennifer

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Originally posted by Samantha:
I live in DC as well and my quote was for $6200 - can someone tell me the dentist they used for the $4000 price?

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wow! make that $6600 I just re-read my quote.