And what about those buttons? I was told they put buttons on (by my ortho) and I read about them on this site alot too, what exactly are they, are they attached to the teeth or the trays, and if to the teeth, how do they stay on?

My last question is about my specific situation, I have to have a front tooth pulled (because there is already another front tooth pulled from when I was a child, and that will make it look symmetrical again) so I will have a huge gap right in the front. I am not worried about the gap when the aligner is in because my ortho said they will put a replacement in the aligners so it won't be seen...but for the times when they are out (especially in public like a restaurant while I eat)...has anyone had a big gap like that which needed to close? Does that happen pretty quickly or will I look weird for 12 months without my aligner on? I was wondering if they maybe move the really visible problems faster and then do the fine work toward the end, or if it kinda all happens at a very gradual pace....

Any answers are appreciated!! Thanks

quote:

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Originally posted by soon to be smiling:
Hi, I have gotten my consultation and had my x-rays and impressions done today.
This worries me: I keep reading about people feeling like they are ripping their teeth out along with the aligner when taking it off, so do I have to worry about it pulling a crown off? The assistant said that "should not" be a problem and that they work with people with crowns all the time. But I have one that came off once already and I had a new one put on now, that is my worst nightmare...one of those coming off, and then not only is my crown off AGAIN but then potentially the rest of my aligners is no good because the impressions are no good anymore. Or do they only produce a few at a time?

And what about those buttons? I was told they put buttons on (by my ortho) and I read about them on this site alot too, what exactly are they, are they attached to the teeth or the trays, and if to the teeth, how do they stay on?

My last question is about my specific situation, I have to have a front tooth pulled (because there is already another front tooth pulled from when I was a child, and that will make it look symmetrical again) so I will have a huge gap right in the front. I am not worried about the gap when the aligner is in because my ortho said they will put a replacement in the aligners so it won't be seen...but for the times when they are out (especially in public like a restaurant while I eat)...has anyone had a big gap like that which needed to close? Does that happen pretty quickly or will I look weird for 12 months without my aligner on? I was wondering if they maybe move the really visible problems faster and then do the fine work toward the end, or if it kinda all happens at a very gradual pace....

Any answers are appreciated!! Thanks

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quote:

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Originally posted by Lena:
Boy, do I know how you feel. My dentist didn't tell me anything about these horrible things except that they're invisible and that supposedly I needed them to straighten my teeth. I walked out of the office wearing them without any explanation of how to take them off. They didn't even come with a pamphlet! My dentist used some sort of metal tool to take them in and out. First time I had to get them out, it took me something like half an hour and a few tears. Taking them off still hurts like *hell*. This is only day 2 so I suppose that's expected. Still, I wish somebody had told me about this, given as how I'm gonna have to live with 9 months of taking them in and out three times a day. I have a tender tooth from some root canal a long time ago that's always hurt when I pushed back or forth on it. And now it's constantly being pushed backwards. Owwwww...
Well, I guess there's at least the benefit of losing some weight with these hellish things, given that you can't snack with them and I don't generally have time to eat full regular meals. Sure wish somebody had warned me about that little caveat too... I am not very happy with my dentist at the moment

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quote:

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Originally posted by clifderoche@yahoo.com:
Where do you get the cleaning system for invisiline braces? could you reply to my email maybe

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I sent away for the cleaning system, and after getting a small plastic "machine" for WAY too much money, it broke after using it for only a few months. The packets of cleaner, at 50 cents a pop, are also very expensive, and did not stop my aligners from building up deposits.

Now that I've been wearing invisalign for almost a year, the best thing I've found for cleaning is the Oral B 950 electric toothbrush (about $30) -- I use a little liquid soap and the toothbrush does such a good job that I do not have any white deposits or discolorations like I've heard about from others. Simply wash off the soap and reinsert your aligners.

quote:

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Originally posted by soon to be smiling:
Hi, I have gotten my consultation and had my x-rays and impressions done today.
This worries me: I keep reading about people feeling like they are ripping their teeth out along with the aligner when taking it off, so do I have to worry about it pulling a crown off? The assistant said that "should not" be a problem and that they work with people with crowns all the time. But I have one that came off once already and I had a new one put on now, that is my worst nightmare...one of those coming off, and then not only is my crown off AGAIN but then potentially the rest of my aligners is no good because the impressions are no good anymore. Or do they only produce a few at a time?

And what about those buttons? I was told they put buttons on (by my ortho) and I read about them on this site alot too, what exactly are they, are they attached to the teeth or the trays, and if to the teeth, how do they stay on?

My last question is about my specific situation, I have to have a front tooth pulled (because there is already another front tooth pulled from when I was a child, and that will make it look symmetrical again) so I will have a huge gap right in the front. I am not worried about the gap when the aligner is in because my ortho said they will put a replacement in the aligners so it won't be seen...but for the times when they are out (especially in public like a restaurant while I eat)...has anyone had a big gap like that which needed to close? Does that happen pretty quickly or will I look weird for 12 months without my aligner on? I was wondering if they maybe move the really visible problems faster and then do the fine work toward the end, or if it kinda all happens at a very gradual pace....

Any answers are appreciated!! Thanks

---

The first time I took mine out was incredibly painful but you really do find a trick to it.

The buttons are really nothing to worry about that, they're bonded to individual teeth and are just used as a grip tool for the aligners, something for them to snap on to. My dentist said they are just filed down/off at the end of the treatment. Mine are barely visible at all but from what I have read some people's are so maybe have a chat about that with your ortho.

As for the gap, I have the same problem, my aligners are pushing my front teeth apart to make room for dental implants. The gap at the moment is approx 3mm wide and will be 12mm by the end of treatment. As far as I have been told, I will just have to put up with the gaps with the aligner out but once again, speak to your ortho if you have any queries and they will have a better understanding of what can be done.

quote:

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Originally posted by Michelle:
I just started Invisalign yesterday and I am miserable. It isn't really 'pain' anymore, but I always know that they are there. They feel like clamps on all my teeth. My tongue is irritated, mouth dry, lips dry. Can't drink coffee. UGH! Tell me it gets better??

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So yes, I get to my appt. on Monday expecting to get my upper and lower aligners...Nope! Just got the bottom aligners. I guess I have a 6 month set-up with 10 aligners for the bottom and 7 for the top.

So far, pulling out the bottom one sucks! It's a aggravating process! But, it's for the best! Umm...I find myself only eating twice a day at lunch and at night...
And I eat rather quickly (15 - 20) minutes and I brush for about 3 minutes. I am affraid to brush over those little brackets they glued to my teeth. Does anyone know any an easier method to brushing/cleaning the teeth with the brackets on them?...

quote:

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Originally posted by Michelle:
I just started Invisalign yesterday and I am miserable. It isn't really 'pain' anymore, but I always know that they are there. They feel like clamps on all my teeth. My tongue is irritated, mouth dry, lips dry. Can't drink coffee. UGH! Tell me it gets better??

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I thought I was one of those "I can take anything" people, and had no qualms about starting invisalign. After I got them, though, they were extremely bothersome -- I felt like a horse with a bit in its mouth! I could not stop thinking about how awful the plastic felt, and I went through a few weeks (on and off) of having sore areas in my mouth. Mine also felt wierdly dry, like I needed to wet them down (but drinking water did not help).

Anyway, all of these feelings eventually subsided. Tip when you need a "moral booster" -- keep your first pair of aligners, and when you have a low day, look at them, see the progress you are making. You need to go through a few aligners, but this helped me to see that I did not want my teeth to look as bad as they had in the beginning.

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert:
Hello group!

So yes, I get to my appt. on Monday expecting to get my upper and lower aligners...Nope! Just got the bottom aligners. I guess I have a 6 month set-up with 10 aligners for the bottom and 7 for the top.

So far, pulling out the bottom one sucks! It's a aggravating process! But, it's for the best! Umm...I find myself only eating twice a day at lunch and at night...
And I eat rather quickly (15 - 20) minutes and I brush for about 3 minutes. I am affraid to brush over those little brackets they glued to my teeth. Does anyone know any an easier method to brushing/cleaning the teeth with the brackets on them?...

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first time i insterted the aligners at the dentist: not bad, slight pressure, livable.
first time taking them out: my teeth almost came out, the pain was unbearable. That's when i thought "what the hell did i get myself into?". "I just paid $6000 to be in pain and who knows if this piece of plastic will work!!
I was extremely upset. I rarely make stupid pricy mistakes.

I could not eat b/c my teeth would not do any work that teeth are supposed to do..like help me chew...uh? I threw my food away and had to re-insert the darn thing. Re-insertion mission: fatal...i lied in my bed in tears. Went to bed to sleep it off. They say time heals. I just believed.

I kept thinking that i might have to take a 15 months vacation (more like leave my company), just so i can sleep this pain off. I was honestly thinking how bad i had messed my life up. I could not see myself being at work or doing anything remotely productive with these plastic things. I am a 24 year old computer programmer, and althought i very seldom face clients,in order for my brain to work, i need it focused on my program - not platic, not aligners, not invisible or what have you. The computer screen and its content, only.

2nd, 3rd day..not bad, dry mouth, no coffee (it was the hardest break up ever! neither of us wanted it - that is coffee and I), i kept drinking water which i am not a big fan of. My bite would not close all the way. I felt like a moron, seriously. I had a meeting, spoke very funny and prolly spat on everyone. People could tell something was different, but they could n't point to it, so i confessed to avoid being talked about...being the only female in my group. It's quite a man's world.

4th, 5th day...better...

a week later: who knew that I could take my mind off of these buccal gadgets? I was actually human again, watching TV, smiling, and most importantly eating to my heart's content. It was fab.

I am 4 weeks into it and all of that is gone, and all i can think of is "time definitely heals" and that we humans, have the ability to adapt to anything - wonderful!

I am in NY, my treatment supposedly takes 15 months (29 upper, 32 bottom, each worn 2 weeks), but i am cutting it 1/3 shorter because i realized that after about 2 days, i can't feel the aligners anymore, so i give my gums 7 more days to heal. 10th day, i pop in a new aligner. My orthodontist is awesome. The office personel is fab. They tolerate me in every possible whiny way that I might be, especially at the very beginning. I actually called them once and said "The aligners won't go in, it's obvious that it's been badly modeled!". The assistant was like "just wait for another day or 2, then try again, it will be better I promise". I replied "it obviously wont because the model is off, it's wrong!!!" (like i went to dental school or something!). She was actually very nice and patient. At night, i went home and tried again. Shame on me, the aligners were fine. I was probably trying to insert them in my nose or something!!! Thank you guys, if you're reading this.

It's working fine for me and i am progressing fine.

Some say that i might be masochistic because i actually enjoy the pressure in my mouth - very weird.

All in all - this program is worth every penny. My lisp is gone, i can take out my aligners in the dark, anytime i want to. I lead a healthier life because I have parted with all snacky-unecesseary foods...although sometimes, i do suck on chocolate with my aligners in. It's gonna take more than braces for me to get rid of this one!

I do go out with them and party like it's no one's business and if someone has a problem with a fine girl in the club shaking it...um shall i mention with braces on....Then, they can bring it to me! Won't stop, can't stop.

For all you new beginners out there, please know that it will get better and that one day, you will actually feel empty not having your braces in your mouth. Strange but true enough.

Look forward to that hollywood smile you've been wanting forever!

quote:

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Originally posted by ROBINCT:
Hello ALL! I've been reading the posts daily and I am truly impressed by the honesty, quality of questions, and exchange of ideas. This is the Internet at its best! To the person who asked about brushing around their "buttons", brush away. These buttons will NOT come off and if they did, so what? Just get new ones attached. It's not a big deal. Ignore them and brush to your heart's content. As for the computer geek, thanks for your wonderful, inspiring story. I felt the same way when I first began. Like you, I thought, "What did I get myself into?" Now I'm 20+ weeks into my treatment and I can tell you that I rarely even notice them. The only time I notice them is when I change aligners. Pressure is good, as it is forcing my teeth into a new position. I've learned a few tricks along the way that I'd like to share. First, I always put my new aligners in at night just before bed and I take one Advil or equivalent. I do this because it allows the aligners to "soften up" and the Advil takes the edge off the pain. Since I talk a lot during the day, I sometimes find my tongue will get raw if the edges of the aligners are not smooth. This occurs about 50% of the time, so I keep fine-grained sand paper w/me so that I can smooth the edges as I need to. One thing I have learned with these aligners is that I need not fear them. They're plastic so treat them as such. Not too much heat, as they'll malform, but it's OK to drink warm things...heck, your mouth has an average temperature of almost 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Drink coffee if you wish, just let it cool off a bit and BRUSH! As for cleaning the aligners, I brush them after each meal and use Efferdent once daily...always in the morning. One mistake I made was to add vinegar to my Efferdent and it stained my aligners blue. ICK! Luckily, I brushed the blue away w/out any problem. Brush and floss often. It isn't possible after every meal for me, so I rinse my mouth out vigorously and then brush as soon as I can. Truly my teeth have never been cleaner nor whiter since I've been brushing more. My gums are healthier and the sensitivity issues I once had seem to have abated. I'm so thankful. Finally, allow your teeth to heal. Leave your aligners in an appropriate time. You are moving more than teeth. Your moving tendons, ligaments, and reforming your entire gum line. This is no small task, so it requires vigilance and some extra time brushing and flossing. I also use a flouride rinse and an interdental pick to massage my gums. Anyway, that's my post for today. I hope it was helpful. Oh, I forgot the most IMPORTANT thing of ALL!!!!......EVERY DAY, MY TEETH ARE GETTING STRAIGHTER! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. So be thankful for the pain for it's a real sign that things are working!

Keep smiling!

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I got my aligners yesterday at about noon. It's 9:00 a.m. right now and I'm still adjusting. I have such a strange feeling in my mouth, like a horse with a bit, as someone here said. Also, I'm lisping like crazy. If it weren't for this board I'd be more concerned that this stuff would be permanent.

One concern that I have is that it seems I have to gently clench my jaw in order to close my mouth all the way. It feels great when I do this, by the way...nice and tight all around. But if I didn't do this, my mouth would be ajar. Does this make sense to anyone? Is it bad to have to do this?

quote:

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Originally posted by mimi:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ROBINCT:
[b]Hello ALL! I've been reading the posts daily and I am truly impressed by the honesty, quality of questions, and exchange of ideas. This is the Internet at its best! To the person who asked about brushing around their "buttons", brush away. These buttons will NOT come off and if they did, so what? Just get new ones attached. It's not a big deal. Ignore them and brush to your heart's content. As for the computer geek, thanks for your wonderful, inspiring story. I felt the same way when I first began. Like you, I thought, "What did I get myself into?" Now I'm 20+ weeks into my treatment and I can tell you that I rarely even notice them. The only time I notice them is when I change aligners. Pressure is good, as it is forcing my teeth into a new position. I've learned a few tricks along the way that I'd like to share. First, I always put my new aligners in at night just before bed and I take one Advil or equivalent. I do this because it allows the aligners to "soften up" and the Advil takes the edge off the pain. Since I talk a lot during the day, I sometimes find my tongue will get raw if the edges of the aligners are not smooth. This occurs about 50% of the time, so I keep fine-grained sand paper w/me so that I can smooth the edges as I need to. One thing I have learned with these aligners is that I need not fear them. They're plastic so treat them as such. Not too much heat, as they'll malform, but it's OK to drink warm things...heck, your mouth has an average temperature of almost 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Drink coffee if you wish, just let it cool off a bit and BRUSH! As for cleaning the aligners, I brush them after each meal and use Efferdent once daily...always in the morning. One mistake I made was to add vinegar to my Efferdent and it stained my aligners blue. ICK! Luckily, I brushed the blue away w/out any problem. Brush and floss often. It isn't possible after every meal for me, so I rinse my mouth out vigorously and then brush as soon as I can. Truly my teeth have never been cleaner nor whiter since I've been brushing more. My gums are healthier and the sensitivity issues I once had seem to have abated. I'm so thankful. Finally, allow your teeth to heal. Leave your aligners in an appropriate time. You are moving more than teeth. Your moving tendons, ligaments, and reforming your entire gum line. This is no small task, so it requires vigilance and some extra time brushing and flossing. I also use a flouride rinse and an interdental pick to massage my gums. Anyway, that's my post for today. I hope it was helpful. Oh, I forgot the most IMPORTANT thing of ALL!!!!......EVERY DAY, MY TEETH ARE GETTING STRAIGHTER! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. So be thankful for the pain for it's a real sign that things are working!

Keep smiling!

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I am also in the Mandarin area and I am considering Invisalign. How much did they cost you? How long is your treatment? How many uppers and lowers? I had a looked a this before with David and Associates and they quoted like $4500 like a year ago. I didn't do it at the time because I needed some other dental work done. David & Assoc. just charge about the same to everybody regardless of treatment and that seems kind of strange. I did all my dental work but I haven't gone back. Did you visit different doctors? Thanks for your answer in advance.

quote:

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Originally posted by Glitter Star:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by TGP:
[b]Hey Glitter Star,

I am in the JAX area and looking for a dentist. What part of town is the office located? Thanks for the recommendation!

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[/B][/QUOTE]

quote:

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Originally posted by JC:
Hi Glitter Star:

I am also in the Mandarin area and I am considering Invisalign. How much did they cost you? How long is your treatment? How many uppers and lowers? I had a looked a this before with David and Associates and they quoted like $4500 like a year ago. I didn't do it at the time because I needed some other dental work done. David & Assoc. just charge about the same to everybody regardless of treatment and that seems kind of strange. I did all my dental work but I haven't gone back. Did you visit different doctors? Thanks for your answer in advance.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Z:
Just started yesterday. No complaints as I had traditional braces as a teenager: cannot even compare! Anyway, most of the comments on this thread relate to pain, price, cleaning aligners etc. Can anyone whose had theirs for at least several months comment on actual visual progress and results that they are achieving e.g gaps closing, teeth moving into proper position etc?

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"Below I have cut and pasted a message from Julian W. Chen, DDS, who occasionally contributes to this message board:
"Yes, it would be bad to change your aligners earlier than recommended. This is because bone can only grow/recontour so fast. Once you exceed that rate of growth, you will end up losing bone. If your teeth are moved too fast, you will likely experience generalized, moderate bone loss throughout your mouth AS WELL as root resorption, making the roots of your teeth unnecessarily shorter. Short roots + bone loss = extremely very bad combination. Short of immaculate home oral hygiene and a strict schedule of regular cleanings and exam, you may experience premature loss of teeth at an earlier age. In essence, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot. I'm assuming that you're undergoing orthodontic treatment to have straighter teeth for a more cosmetic smile, correct? Well, what good will all this do if you increase the chance of them to falling out in the future? My advice to you is for you to be as patient as possible. One of the benefits of Invisalign is that they are already near-invisible to the untrained eyes. Don't subject yourself to unnecessary risks by not following the recommended timeline."

quote:

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Originally posted by Fantabulous Geek:
So here is my experience with invisalign

I am in NY, my treatment supposedly takes 15 months (29 upper, 32 bottom, each worn 2 weeks), but i am cutting it 1/3 shorter because i realized that after about 2 days, i can't feel the aligners anymore, so i give my gums 7 more days to heal. 10th day, i pop in a new aligner.
ALL THE BEST.

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Thanks for the tip! There really is no point rushing into this treatment if the end result is going to be bad...that's so right.

quote:

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Originally posted by Nina:
I got my impressions done a few weeks ago, but will not be able to start treatment until Jan 06 because of my flexable spending account. Will there be a problem with fitting them in my mouth. That is almost two months away and wouldn't my teeth have moved by then. My dentist (not orthodontist) said that it was fine, but I don't know if it is because he just doesn't want to do the molds again...does anyone have any advice?

Also, is there a way to post before and after pictures of people who had invisalign done?

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Hi Nina...sorry I have no idea if teeth move in two months (good question though, I hope someone has an answer for you)....but I too want to see Invisalign before/after pics. The invisalign site only has 4 cases, of which 2 I think don't even look perfect yet afterwards...it would be great to see some reassuring pics from someone whose teeth were quite crooked before. Don't be shy fellow smile makeovers...I will be happy to post mine when I am done or close to it, but I am still impatiently waiting for my call that my aligners are in... ;-)

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Originally posted by Paul:
Mine was $5000 also for 11 months. I'm in CA.

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quote:

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Originally posted by DAB:

I've been in my aligners for 9 months -- my top teeth, which were quite crowded (with the center 2 angling in), are about 98% straight, with only the center 2 still slightly angled. During the first few months, I could not see a lot of movement (back teeth were being moved), but then I saw a lot of change when my front teeth were being straightened. My bottoms have been problematic -- they were in worse shape -- and one of them which was supposed to move a lot hasn't moved, and in fact, has been driven down into my gum so that it is worse than when I started. My dentist has worked out a "mid-course correction" with a revised set of aligners and I go in Monday to see what that entails.

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