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Originally posted by ChristinaK:
Hey everyone,
Im thinking about getting Invisalign but I have a few questions.
I have a minor case of crooked teeth in my upper and lower jaw, and a few of my molders have been extracted because I was going to get the regular ceramic braces. However I changed my mind and now have gaps in the back of my jaw and I would like to know if Invisalign is still an option for me because I have missing teeth? Also, can anyone recommend a good ortho in the Miami area?

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First off, thanks for all of the advice on this site! I finally got my first set of Invisalign yesterday, and because of this board I knew just what to ask!

I have a question about how the aligners affect your speech. How long does it last? I noticed a couple of people said they were two months in and still having problems!

Although I picked up my first set yesterday, I told my dentist that I would start wearning them until Saturday since I am in the middle of my law school finals. (i hope the pain from the aligners is less than the exams!) I'll be going for job interviews starting at the end of the summer, and don't want to have a lisp at the interviews.

Also, I live in Northern Virginia and I am paying $3100 including everything (and my dentist is actually rated one of the best in the area!)

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Originally posted by Anita:
Hi All,

First off, thanks for all of the advice on this site! I finally got my first set of Invisalign yesterday, and because of this board I knew just what to ask!

I have a question about how the aligners affect your speech. How long does it last? I noticed a couple of people said they were two months in and still having problems!

Although I picked up my first set yesterday, I told my dentist that I would start wearning them until Saturday since I am in the middle of my law school finals. (i hope the pain from the aligners is less than the exams!) I'll be going for job interviews starting at the end of the summer, and don't want to have a lisp at the interviews.

Also, I live in Northern Virginia and I am paying $3100 including everything (and my dentist is actually rated one of the best in the area!)

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No one can tell you how long it will take for your individual situation. Our situations are all different.

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Originally posted by remmie:
I am 29 years old, I had traditional braces about 13 years ago, but I never wore my retainer like a should have. One of my upper lateral incisor (the tooth next to my front tooth) has moved forward a couple mm's. How long do you think it would take invasalign to move the tooth back a couple mm's it has the room on either side.

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Now I have not problem at all. Instead of the pick, I just use my left hand to pull the upper aligner from my gum and grab with the other. At the beginning of the 2nd and 4th trays, I did have some serious discomfort for the first few days (removing the upper tray), but it lessened each day and then became minor. Just stick with it and you will be delighted with the results. I am seeing improvement already - on my 6th tray.

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Originally posted by GlossyTooth:
Okay, I'm only on day 2 of Invisaligns and I'm already ready to chuck em out the window. They don't seem to bother me when they are in -- and I'm fortunate enough not to have any speech difficulties as a result (whewie!). However, they hurt to take them out! I am going to take comfort in the fact that many of you say that "taking them out gets easier." I don't necessarily beleive it, but I'll try to have a little faith... It is odd b/c the backs come out very easily, but when I take them out it feels like I will rip the front teeth out (which, by the way, have the lovely bumps to grip -- the grippers surely are doing their jobs!!). Does anyone know any tricks of the trade for taking them out -- other than pulling them out and screaming as if I was being tortured by a main character on Alias or "24."? Thanks for any suggestions. I'd love to learn from those who have mastered a technique. Ouch - hurts to think about it. If nothing else, maybe I can do an informercial on these ******s promotion weight loss, b/c I will never want to take them out to eat!

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Originally posted by GlossyTooth:
Okay, I'm only on day 2 of Invisaligns and I'm already ready to chuck em out the window. They don't seem to bother me when they are in -- and I'm fortunate enough not to have any speech difficulties as a result (whewie!). However, they hurt to take them out! I am going to take comfort in the fact that many of you say that "taking them out gets easier." I don't necessarily beleive it, but I'll try to have a little faith... It is odd b/c the backs come out very easily, but when I take them out it feels like I will rip the front teeth out (which, by the way, have the lovely bumps to grip -- the grippers surely are doing their jobs!!). Does anyone know any tricks of the trade for taking them out -- other than pulling them out and screaming as if I was being tortured by a main character on Alias or "24."? Thanks for any suggestions. I'd love to learn from those who have mastered a technique. Ouch - hurts to think about it. If nothing else, maybe I can do an informercial on these ******s promotion weight loss, b/c I will never want to take them out to eat!

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I have a very small mouth and they usually have to use the children's size trays on me (even though I'm 48!), and they have sometimes used the bottom teeth tray for the top teeth so I don't have to have so much goop pressing at the back of my mouth.

Why don't you try asking a question on techniques available to make this easier for you on the "Anesthesia, Analgesia, & Relaxation" forum?

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Originally posted by Susan:
I'm thinking of getting Invisalign and I'm scared to death of getting the molds/impressions made! I've had the traditional molds made in the past, and it is almost impossible for the ortho to get them, as I gag horribly with tears running down my face. I've actually pulled them out more than once prior to them being finished because I thought I was going to choke. I've heard that Invisalign molds have to sit for a long time compared to the traditional ones. But no one has talked about them in this whole thread! Are they really awful and how do they compare to the molds for traditional braces?

I have a very small mouth and they usually have to use the children's size trays on me (even though I'm 48!), and they have sometimes used the bottom teeth tray for the top teeth so I don't have to have so much goop pressing at the back of my mouth.

Susan

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Originally posted by Barbara:
Hi - I'm just finishing my first week with my trays and I have the excessive saliva problem too. It was much better today; hopefully it will get better with time. It has been wonderful to read these messages and find out what other people do to solve some of these difficulties. I did read that tartar control mouthwash might help reduce the saliva, so I plan to try that tomorrow. Good luck smithla and stay in touch; I am interested in hearing how you are doing -- we started our trays about the same time.

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OK - had to reregister too - previously I posted under "Anne". The only reason I've not been posting more is since everything is going so well for me so far - I've just not got much to say! I have been adding to my blog as my treatment plan progresses:

http://smilingwideopen.blogspot.com/

If anyone else out there would like to start a web log concerning their Invisalign experience, please post your addy here. I've only found a couple of others & really enjoy comparing notes & hearing of how it's going for others - it's really helpful & fun, too.

For those of you struggling with removal: have you tried using a small square of paper towel to grip your trays? Honestly, it makes all the difference - I've never had to use my fingernails or "pry" them off at all.

I'll be changing to tray set #8 tomorrow (23 each top & bottom in my plan - 5 buttons on since the beginning).

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Originally posted by Susan:
I'm thinking of getting Invisalign and I'm scared to death of getting the molds/impressions made! I've had the traditional molds made in the past, and it is almost impossible for the ortho to get them, as I gag horribly with tears running down my face. I've actually pulled them out more than once prior to them being finished because I thought I was going to choke. I've heard that Invisalign molds have to sit for a long time compared to the traditional ones. But no one has talked about them in this whole thread! Are they really awful and how do they compare to the molds for traditional braces?

I have a very small mouth and they usually have to use the children's size trays on me (even though I'm 48!), and they have sometimes used the bottom teeth tray for the top teeth so I don't have to have so much goop pressing at the back of my mouth.

Susan

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Originally posted by GlossyTooth:
Susan, Did you ever get those flouride tray treatments when you were younger? That is what the impression process felt like for me. Amazingly, I made it through, even though I have a tendency to have that gag-reflex too! I think the secret is focus on something else. For me, I just sat there and counted the number of times I breathed in and out through my nose! Counting how many times I blinked during the process also helped!! Anything to distract myself! Seemed to do the trick! Good luck with your decision!

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Originally posted by Betsy:
I had the same problem when they brought the site back up. They started us back up at page 28 and now only have 29 pages. Your bookmark takes you to whatever page you were on at the time you make it (for me it was page 33). I have been sending emails asking them to purge the old pages so other folks will realize what has happened. No luck so far. I am glad to see people finding this thread again - it was so helpful to me when I first started. On tray 6 now and doing great.

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Originally posted by GlossyTooth:
Susan, Did you ever get those flouride tray treatments when you were younger? That is what the impression process felt like for me.

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No, I never had those, but I had traditional braces as a teenager and had a terrible time with the impressions. I've also had traditional molds made twice last year when I started inquiring about treatment to correct my teeth that have shifted. It was just as bad, if not worse, than I remembered. I ripped out two or three of them before they were finished.

My mouth is so small that the trays and goop reach way too far back in my throat for me to keep from gagging. The top is much worse than the bottom, but even the bottom is a challenge.

I'm already getting myself worked up about it because I didn't feel like the orthodontist was very sympathetic when I spoke to her about it. She just said that they were very exprienced and good at taking the impressions.

I cannot use another orthodontist because I'm in Denmark and there are not many to choose from, and this ortho is considered the best in the country and the only one my dentist said he would recommend, and is a specialist in adult orthodontics.

I want to get Invisalign and have my teeth straightened, but right now, this part of it really has me in a panic. Especially if I would have to ever have them redone, if I do get through it once.

Susan

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Originally posted by smithla:
I recently started second tray. It was tight the 1st couple of days....it's better now. I actually had a dream the other night that my dentist had gotten my invisalign on the black market and that they would not actually work.....how scary....I am hopeful for good results. I can't say that I've noticed any improvements in the positioning of teeth....have you?? Speech and excessive salvia is much better.

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Originally posted by Susan:
No, I never had those, but I had traditional braces as a teenager and had a terrible time with the impressions. I've also had traditional molds made twice last year when I started inquiring about treatment to correct my teeth that have shifted. It was just as bad, if not worse, than I remembered. I ripped out two or three of them before they were finished.

My mouth is so small that the trays and goop reach way too far back in my throat for me to keep from gagging. The top is much worse than the bottom, but even the bottom is a challenge.

I'm already getting myself worked up about it because I didn't feel like the orthodontist was very sympathetic when I spoke to her about it. She just said that they were very exprienced and good at taking the impressions.

I cannot use another orthodontist because I'm in Denmark and there are not many to choose from, and this ortho is considered the best in the country and the only one my dentist said he would recommend, and is a specialist in adult orthodontics.

I want to get Invisalign and have my teeth straightened, but right now, this part of it really has me in a panic. Especially if I would have to ever have them redone, if I do get through it once.

Susan

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Originally posted by Susan:
I'm thinking of getting Invisalign and I'm scared to death of getting the molds/impressions made! I've had the traditional molds made in the past, and it is almost impossible for the ortho to get them, as I gag horribly with tears running down my face. I've actually pulled them out more than once prior to them being finished because I thought I was going to choke. I've heard that Invisalign molds have to sit for a long time compared to the traditional ones. But no one has talked about them in this whole thread! Are they really awful and how do they compare to the molds for traditional braces?

I have a very small mouth and they usually have to use the children's size trays on me (even though I'm 48!), and they have sometimes used the bottom teeth tray for the top teeth so I don't have to have so much goop pressing at the back of my mouth.

Susan

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Originally posted by Kathleen:
I am interested in the hook mentioned in the post below:

(my dentist gave me a tool he called a smiley. It helps a lot in the removal! It's shaped like a smile and basically a crochet hook on both sides)

I have just started wearing invisalign and am having trouble removing them. My nails aren't strong enough. Is it actually a crochet hook and where would I purchase one? Thanks.

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Originally posted by BlondeChick84:
Did anyone pay less than $3000? $3500 even? Anywhere?

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Originally posted by smithla:
I recently started second tray. It was tight the 1st couple of days....it's better now. I actually had a dream the other night that my dentist had gotten my invisalign on the black market and that they would not actually work.....how scary....I am hopeful for good results. I can't say that I've noticed any improvements in the positioning of teeth....have you?? Speech and excessive salvia is much better.

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Originally posted by harishv79:
I have been quoted 3900 and my insurance covers $1500 of that bringing it down to 2400.

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Originally posted by Susan:
I'm thinking of getting Invisalign and I'm scared to death of getting the molds/impressions made! I've had the traditional molds made in the past, and it is almost impossible for the ortho to get them, as I gag horribly with tears running down my face. I've actually pulled them out more than once prior to them being finished because I thought I was going to choke. I've heard that Invisalign molds have to sit for a long time compared to the traditional ones. But no one has talked about them in this whole thread! Are they really awful and how do they compare to the molds for traditional braces?

I have a very small mouth and they usually have to use the children's size trays on me (even though I'm 48!), and they have sometimes used the bottom teeth tray for the top teeth so I don't have to have so much goop pressing at the back of my mouth.

Susan

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Originally posted by Betsy:
I am on tray 6 of 19 upper/16 lower. I have just begun to see the improvement (protruding front tooth moving back). I've seen folks report that it has taken them even longer to see the change. I think that it takes varying amounts of time to move other teeth so that the easily visible teeth can begin to move into place.

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Originally posted by Relle:
WOW, Lucky you. I am on 12 of 45. I have a nice long way to go, BUT, at least I've been into the treatment for almsot 6 months. It is VERY frustrating not to be able to see more sooner. The way Invisalign works is moving the back teeth first to make room for the front. I have gaps I can store sandwiches in and i can't eat some foods I used to because it just packs itself between my teeth and its hard to chew now anyway. One thing thats peculiar, I've noticed it on the last few trays. certain meats like chicken and steak make a squeeking sound when I bite down and grind, sort of like rubbing styrofoam pieces together (EEEWWW, I know its like nails on a blackboard, how do you think I feel, It's in MY mouth!lol). Its weird. My back teeth don't come together well anyway while they are moving and I can't seem to REALLY grind my food. I eat an apple and the peel comes out whole..I'll be so much happier when the whole moving this is done.

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I hope you didn't pay anything for the bonding or the surgery!!

My plan has 23 IPRs (interproximal reductions) and it really should be a simple process.

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Originally posted by Elle:
I was an invisalign wearer for about five months. I have since gone to traditional braces for a couple of reasons. During the first "slenderizing" process the orthodontist took off a fairly large piece of my tooth which I had to have bonded. During another visit, the orthodontist was slenderizing a different tooth and slipped and the tool sliced open the inside of my cheek--the staff had to rush me to an oral surgeon, I ended up with five stitches after that visit. Since then, I have decided that I did NOT want that tool in my mouth ever again. I understand that this is purely human error and not a direct result of invisalign, but I was never keen on the idea that the doctor would have to "shave" a tooth here and there to get the teeth to align properly. There are times when you are out socially and will have your aligners out--the "shaved"spaces between teeth and buttons can make one feel even more self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. I was presented an option by my doctor that didn't require more "slenderizing"--I could still wear invisalign but I would need to replace two very visible buttons with new buttons that also included hooks for rubber bands. My thoughts on this option were the fact that the buttons/hooks would be much more visible than before so why try to had the fact that you're wearing braces and just wear "braces".

I was a very responsible invisalign wearer, but I will not miss the daily hassle of invisalign. The traditional braces are much improved from my teen years (a long, long time ago) and braces can give a doctor better control of moving a tooth, therefore giving the patient much better results than invisalign (at least in my case). Good luck!

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However, I got more worried than I needed to be reading all this. I'm only on my 2nd trays but I don't find them difficult at all. There is virtually no pain, they just feel really tight for the first several hours, and my teeth are sore when I take them out to eat the first few times but that's no bid deal. As far as getting them out, I guess I lucked out there too, maybe I have weak roots or something, but I can easily get mine out by using my index and thumb nails at the back on both sides. Takes literally 2 seconds.