Express gave good results, but there were some things the doctor would like to see changed that Express can't handle with it's limitations. Might as well do it right this time around, and be happy for the next 70+ years.

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Originally posted by Betsy:
I am exactly half way through my treatment (half way through tray 10 of 19 upper/16 lower). As an experiment, I have not told anyone that I have Invisalign. Yesterday, I told my best friend and asked her if she had noticed. I have 2 buttons on upper canines and 4 buttons on bottom canines and the front inscisors. Also, quite a bit IPRs between just about all of my front teeth.

She was quite embarressed to admit that she had not noticed! She had wondered why I suddenly stopped having popcorn at movies but now she knows.

I blew the experiment with a one person, because I am sometimes too lazy to go to the rest room to remove my aligners before a meal - I slip them out while people are not looking. On guy heard this, looked at me shocked and said "you have teeth"! For a moment he thought I had dentures. When I explained, he was fascinated (had not noticed).

ONE person who had braces when she was older did notice but she explained that she notices everything about people's teeth. She actually considered her braces as "an ornament" and used to wear her retainer during the day because she thought she looked better it in.

Its all very interesting. I must say that I notice my friends' teeth so much more since I started Invisalign. Quite a few might really benefit from Invisalign. It will be interesting to share my experiences and see if anyone is interested in looking into it for themselves.

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It's the same for me in that I'm ALWAYS looking at people's teeth now, thinking how Invisalign could help them, too.

Was up north at a friend's cottage this past week & did explain about my treatment after they wondering why I kept excusing myself so soon after each meal & disappearing (what IS she doing???). They didn't quite get it at first - had to actually show them my aligners when they were out of my mouth to make them understand exactly what they were. They could not tell by looking at them in place that I had anything in my mouth at all.

They seem SO apparent to us - especially in the first few months - that it still surprised me that others don't see them at all. It's kinda fun when you can actually have this little secret...

As Badboy indicates, this is a very common practice in orthodonitics (traditional braces too). If room is needed, the only other option is to extract a tooth (which is sometimes done when a lot of space is needed).

I have experienced no discomfort at all although I have had found that food does get easily caught in the space between the teeth until the space closes up.

I am delighted with the improvement in my teeth (a little more than 1/2 way through) and it is the IPRs that are making it possible to move my teeth back into alignment.

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Originally posted by invisa_surprise:
I am in the middle of my invisalign treatment. Suddenly I found a note saying "stripping before the 16th". Then I asked my doctor what stripping means. Surprisely I was told that enamel of several of my teeth need to be reduced. I am very concerned that the doctor did not tell me about this in the beginning. My teeth were not so bad, if I knew my teeth need to be stripped, I would not go through the invisalign procedure. It is expensive.
My questions so far is:
1. What can I do? Is there any regulation on the fact that the doctor did not tell the patient everything. Can I get my money back if I stop the treatment? Is there any law or organization that enforces the doctor to follow the legal and ethical pratice?
2. If I stop the process now, what will happen to my teeth?
Thank you all.

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As I indicated in another post, now that I am over half way in and have confirmed that the vast majority of folks don't notice on their own, I am telling folks about my treatment which is fun. One person has already asked for more info because she may be interested.

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Originally posted by AnneC:
Hey Betsy ---

It's the same for me in that I'm ALWAYS looking at people's teeth now, thinking how Invisalign could help them, too.

Was up north at a friend's cottage this past week & did explain about my treatment after they wondering why I kept excusing myself so soon after each meal & disappearing (what IS she doing???). They didn't quite get it at first - had to actually show them my aligners when they were out of my mouth to make them understand exactly what they were. They could not tell by looking at them in place that I had anything in my mouth at all.

They seem SO apparent to us - especially in the first few months - that it still surprised me that others don't see them at all. It's kinda fun when you can actually have this little secret...

With this set#12, I am really beginning to actually see the changes - it's really exciting!!!
Anne

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I'm a newbie and just found this discussion board. I am on the end of my 2nd set. I have 15 for the bottom, 18 for the top. I have a total of 6 buttons, all on the front side teeth, 3 on top, 3 on the bottom.

I think for the most part, I have been very disciplined with them - usually wearing them for 20hrs/day. However, last weekend, I went away for the long July 4th weekend and was in such a rush in packing for the trip in the morning, that I left my trays in the water cup that I was cleaning them in when I brush my teeth. So I went for 3 whole days w/o them on. I think there was no big harm done though. My dentist had me wear them for an extra week, just in case, because it was slightly tight when I put them back on for the first few hours.

I'm pretty happy with my decision with Invisalign. I have been wanting to perfect my teeth, but would keep putting it off, so now that I'm doing something active about it, it feels good that I can see my goal in sight.

Also, have you asked your dentist/orthodontist this question. I would think that he/she would be best able to advise you.

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Originally posted by legallysmile:
Hi,

I'm a newbie and just found this discussion board. I am on the end of my 2nd set. I have 15 for the bottom, 18 for the top. I have a total of 6 buttons, all on the front side teeth, 3 on top, 3 on the bottom.

I think for the most part, I have been very disciplined with them - usually wearing them for 20hrs/day. However, last weekend, I went away for the long July 4th weekend and was in such a rush in packing for the trip in the morning, that I left my trays in the water cup that I was cleaning them in when I brush my teeth. So I went for 3 whole days w/o them on. I think there was no big harm done though. My dentist had me wear them for an extra week, just in case, because it was slightly tight when I put them back on for the first few hours.

I'm pretty happy with my decision with Invisalign. I have been wanting to perfect my teeth, but would keep putting it off, so now that I'm doing something active about it, it feels good that I can see my goal in sight.

One concern I have though is that one of my canine teeth on top did not grow all the way out, so I have like a half a millimeter gap between that canine tooth and the matching bottom one. I have a button on bottom of those teeth, and was wondering how affecting invisalign will be to close that gap. Is there anyone who had this issue with their teeth and is done or at the end of their treatment and found it to be fixed (or not fixed)? Thanks.

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Originally posted by bg:

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I have not had time to look at the Clincheck when I go in for my appts. I will try to do that next time.

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Originally posted by Betsy:
Did your dentist show you your clincheck? This is a computer simulation that shows you how your teeth will move during your treatment. That should give you a good feel for what your ultimate result will be.

Also, have you asked your dentist/orthodontist this question. I would think that he/she would be best able to advise you.

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Originally posted by BadBoy:
After the dentist/ortho sends in the impressions, then after several weeks if they were accepted and don't have to be redone, the next step will be to sit down at a computer in the office. There is a fancy windows application they use that can show how the teeth will move from various angles, each aligner at a time. Also any attachments will show up as red spots on the appropriate teeth. There is also a printout they can make that shows when any IPRs (teeth shaving to make space) are needed. You might have to ask about that as well as any other special things needed like elastics/rubberbands to extrude a tooth. Later you can get some AVI (windows video files) sent via email from a few angles - they just have a frame for each aligner and I use video software that can step one frame at a time to see what each aligner is doing, similar to what the dentist's windows application can do.

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BadBoy - thanks for posting that tip regarding the AVI files! Had another 6 week checkup today & was just about to ask about them, when my dentist actually asked me first if I'd had them sent out yet. Well - I hadn't, but I sure am looking forward to it!

My dentist (& her husband, too) are both in Invisalign treatment now & she said she really appreciated having them on their home computer to watch the progress & see which movements to expect with each consecutive tray. I feel even more confident with this treatment knowing she is going through with the same thing - with a whole new understanding for her to be able to personnally KNOW what her patients are experiencing.

Also asked specifics about retainment - in her experience, she has seen too many with permanent (the wire bonded onto the back of teeth) retainers that end up having problems when the wire shifts or breaks, causing the teeth to shift before a professional even assesses the damage. She recommends going with the Invisalign retainers for that very reason & wearing them nightly - eventually maybe even only needing them a couple of nights/week. Wearing the last tray for an extended amount of full time would not even be necessary once any refinements are done.

So far, they are as thrilled with my treatment progress as I am - it just keeps getting better, the further I go with it!

quote:

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Originally posted by errivera:
Question: Is there a page or a post that has pic's of people with their invisalign in... I wanted to compair mine to others... but I don't see any post with pic's attached or linked... If there's a section, could somebody please show me...
thanks.

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"Musiclover's - Orthobuddy's":
http://myorthoclear.blogspot.com/

"Christine's":
http://myorthoclear.blogspot.com/2006/06/my-orthoclear-progress-for-those-who.html

http://toothbetold.blogspot.com/

http://members.aol.com/debbiap/photos.html

& mine:
http://smilingwideopen.blogspot.com/

There's a few others - just not with pics of aligners in - these ones share good pics of tooth changes without trays in:

http://orthoguydc.blogspot.com/

http://thesmileexperts.blogspot.com/
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That should keep ya busy for a while.
Anne

http://www.cda-adc.ca/jcda/vol-64/issue-9/640.html

Good info with pics of the different types of common retainers posted at the bottom of the page.

BIGGEST COMPLAINT: EVERY time I change trays, I get sores in my mouth, on my tongue, on my lips...cuts, sores,...whatever they are, they HURT! Usually lasts between 3-5 days...after that, no problems until I have to change trays. Definitely is a downer for the first week of each tray....sore teeth for 1-2 days along with a painful mouth. I use wax quite a bit to cover the "sharp" parts of the invisalign...and there ALWAYS are sharp parts, usually on my bottoms. The dentist attempted to shave the sharp spots down once, but it didn't work....so I just stick to the wax, which helps. I really think that I may be "allergic" to the material of the invisalign....something contained in the plastic maybe. I don't know, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out why this happens everytime...its the only explanation I have anymore....each case says to "make sure you wash before using for the first time".....I can only imagine because their is something on them when they are produced that can be harmful in some way.

If anybody has this problem, PLEASE reply...would really appreciate anybody's thoughts, hints, helpful suggestions.

By the way, my teeth are really looking good compared to before....sure, the pain SUCKS, but.... 'NO PAIN, NO GAIN'!!!!!

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Originally posted by Mel:
can someone please tell me what the impression is and how it feels?

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Originally posted by BadBoy:
They do several of the impressions like that and you might need to do it over a second time if they don't come out just right. It didn't bother me, but some others have a problem with the process, depends on how sensitive you are particulary your gag reflex.

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You're right on that! My impressions had to be taken 5 times because each impression kept ending up with too many air bubbles. The stuff tasted like ear wax. :P Yuck!

After my first set of aligners arrived, I was told that I needed to get my impressions done again. That took 5 more tries to get right. For me, the impressions were the worst part of the treatment- I'll take pain anyday over that!

Refinements only happen after your initial plan is complete. Some stubborn teeth may not have moved quite all the way as they appeared they should in your Clincheck, or maybe your doc (or you) decides to tweak a little further on certain teeth to optimize your result even more than the initial plan.

That's how I understand it anyway - let us know how your doc differentiates them. I'll ask at my next checkup for clarification, too.

Are you getting near to finishing your lower's plan soon?
Anne

I will ask about revisions and refinements. I also need to talk with my dentist about a referral for a friend who is interested in Invisalign. Surprisingly, her dentist wasn't able to give her a referral but did say she will probably need a tooth extracted because her mouth is very small. My dentist has told me that cases requiring more than IPRs (as well as other things of course) should be handled by an orthodontist.

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Originally posted by AnneC:
As far as I know, Betsy - revisions take place during the course of initial treatment if your teeth do not track according to plan or if your aligners don't fit at all as they should. It's basically a whole new setup.

Refinements only happen after your initial plan is complete. Some stubborn teeth may not have moved quite all the way as they appeared they should in your Clincheck, or maybe your doc (or you) decides to tweak a little further on certain teeth to optimize your result even more than the initial plan.

That's how I understand it anyway - let us know how your doc differentiates them. I'll ask at my next checkup for clarification, too.

Are you getting near to finishing your lower's plan soon?
Anne

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Originally posted by BadBoy:
The dental assistant mixes up a gooey colored material in a bowl and puts it in a plastic shell that fits over your teeth. You have to keep your teeth tightly closed for it to harden for several minutes. They do several of the impressions like that and you might need to do it over a second time if they don't come out just right. It didn't bother me, but some others have a problem with the process, depends on how sensitive you are particulary your gag reflex.

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There are steps your doc can take to help you through this if your gag reflex is that strong. Here's a link to an article here that may help:

http://www.dentistry.com/offsite.asp?articleID=734&dentID=2887

Also, here's a blurb I posted on 06-05-2006:
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"If these are your impressions that your doc will be sending into Invisalign, they must be as near to perfect as they can get. This involves using special plastic trays that look somewhat like mouth guards, that are overfilled with a pretty purple goop.

They will set each tray separately & get you to bite down, then hold that position for a certain time limit. I got to be in charge of starting/stopping the digital timer while my doc set the each tray in place. Some folks here have said they had to hold each tray in place for 10 min. Mine were actually only 2 minutes on the timer, so the others' may have had a longer setting resin used on them - maybe this was the older version. Invisalign is totally particular in the method & materials used.

You may find it uncomfortable while the trays set up - there wasn't any pain involved for me & it's not like a whole lot of pressure needs to used, either (so if the person working on your trays start to climb onto your lap while bracing themselves against your jaw, I'd start to worry).

If you have a sensitive gag reflex it is more difficult. Fixing your eyes on a certain focal point while strongly concentrating on a certain thing may help you there.

It took one try to get my lower tray done. It took 3 tries for my upper since I have a very narrow arch & a waaaay far back wisdom tooth to "catch" in the tray. Still, it wasn't bad - more frustrating for my hygenist, I'd say. She is a perfectionist - which is a good thing for me!

I'm on set #10 of 23@ upper/lower. Have never had a problem with fit or any rough edges yet - not even once. My impressions must have been about as perfect as they could be. Invisalign will outright reject them if there's anything wrong with them, in fact.

Just ask as many questions as you need to of your dental team - & comparing notes here can be very helpful."
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(sorry - can't see how to just post a link to a former post here, but I'm sure there's other discussions concerning strong gag reflexes posted in previous pages here too)

Best of luck, Mel!
Anne

I think it's interesting that you have so many IPR's scheduled in your plan - yikes! I have only ONE scheduled - one for each top & bottom, that is - smack dab in the middle of my central incisors & it's not due until before my 19th set of trays. And you've seen how badly crowded my lowers are! The upper is needed to avoid finishing with one of those "black triangle" areas after the gap is completely closed.

Wow - only 10 weeks left then for your lowers. How exciting that must be!!!

The way time has been flying by for me, I'm sure my plan will go way faster than what I first anticipated - Christmas will be here (as usual) before I'm anywhere near ready & so will my much improved smile.

Wait 'til you see me smiling wide open...
Anne

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Originally posted by Betsy:
Thanks Anne. I will pick up 12 of 16 on Friday for my bottoms. Interestingly, I have 2 more IPRs on the bottom (before trays 12 and 13). I think its interesting that I will have IPRs so close to finishing.

I will ask about revisions and refinements. I also need to talk with my dentist about a referral for a friend who is interested in Invisalign. Surprisingly, her dentist wasn't able to give her a referral but did say she will probably need a tooth extracted because her mouth is very small. My dentist has told me that cases requiring more than IPRs (as well as other things of course) should be handled by an orthodontist.

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quote:

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Originally posted by AnneC:
I'm pretty certain it's the only way, Mel.

There are steps your doc can take to help you through this if your gag reflex is that strong. Here's a link to an article here that may help:

http://www.dentistry.com/offsite.asp?articleID=734&dentID=2887

Also, here's a blurb I posted on 06-05-2006:

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Thank you so much

Some dentists say it fine. Many patients (including myself) do this and believe we are not suffering any adverse effects.

Some people worry about stains and others (myself included) are/were concerned with causing the aligners to mold to the teeth instead of vis-a-versa.

The Invisalign Cleaning System instructions indicate that you should use "warm" water for cleaning. Yesterday my dentist expressed concern that even warm water might not be a good idea.

When I had my last impressions done, the dentist asked for impressions of my lowers even though I am already wearing the lingual bar. The girl could not get the impression out of my mouth as the gooey mould stuff stuck to my lingual bar. She pulled and pulled and yanked and finally ripped it out of my mouth and it tore the lingual bar off my teeth. I was crying and trying to tell her to stop, but she just kept yanking. I was screaming when it finally came off because it felt like my teeth were coming up with the impression. It was one of the most horrible things I've ever had happen. They told me it happens all the time and cemented my lingual bar back on. But..imediately after this happened the gum between my middle front lower tooth swelled up and turned black. It doesn't hurt, but it looks terrible.

I haven't been back to that dentist, even though I still have to pick up my last liners. I can't explain how horrible this incident was, but I'm scared that something is really wrong because of her ripping that impression out. That cannot be good for your teeth!

I've not heard of an experience like this - if this is common occurance at your orthodontist's office, the assistant may be doing something wrong. If any part of my gum turned black I would see a dentist immediately regardless of whether or not it hurt. If you don't want to return to the orthodontist that you have been seeing since March 2004, find another one.

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Originally posted by chatnoir:
I started Invisalign in March of 04. My bottom teeth were crowding and I am finished with them and wearing a lingual bar as a retainer. I've had to have new impressions three times for my top teeth. I have to have the buttons moved this time around. GRRR. It's taking longer than I initially was told.

When I had my last impressions done, the dentist asked for impressions of my lowers even though I am already wearing the lingual bar. The girl could not get the impression out of my mouth as the gooey mould stuff stuck to my lingual bar. She pulled and pulled and yanked and finally ripped it out of my mouth and it tore the lingual bar off my teeth. I was crying and trying to tell her to stop, but she just kept yanking. I was screaming when it finally came off because it felt like my teeth were coming up with the impression. It was one of the most horrible things I've ever had happen. They told me it happens all the time and cemented my lingual bar back on. But..imediately after this happened the gum between my middle front lower tooth swelled up and turned black. It doesn't hurt, but it looks terrible.

I haven't been back to that dentist, even though I still have to pick up my last liners. I can't explain how horrible this incident was, but I'm scared that something is really wrong because of her ripping that impression out. That cannot be good for your teeth!

Has this happened to anyone else?

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