|
Author
|
Topic: Invisalign Braces
|
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 06-29-2007 03:30 AM
 
quote:
Originally posted by Violet:
Thanks, Jil, same to you! I ended up keeping my first trays for 20 days, so almost three weeks. I wanted to be extra cautious with my first ones, so I kept them in longer (which again was fine by my ortho, haha). I'm adapting to my second set much more quickly, so I'm starting to feel better about all this!
I'm glad to hear you're feeling has improved, Violet. I hope it's going to be only up hill from now on. I also have my ups and downs about it. Sometimes I am happy I took this decision and surprised that it is not so bad after all, other times I wonder what sort of damage I'm doing to my teeth and does it really worth it. I also planned to keep the first trays in longer, but in the last couple of days they felt kind of soft and really icky in my mouth. As though they were melting. I just couldn't wait to change them. I only managed to hold out for one more day. As I mentioned before, when I cleaned them for the last time, one of the trays cracked, so I really didn't have much of a choice about it, after all. I was too ****y yesterday saying my teeth don't feel sensitive at all. The front teeth do when I apply the slightest pressure on them. I also got another video from my dentist today - a view of the movement of the teeth from the 'inside' of the jaw. I told them it's hard to tell what's really going on from the straight on view they've supplied me last week. I think I am the first patient they have that force them to produce and send these videos (they didn't know it was possible when I first mentioned it) and that makes me proud. How many trays do you have all in all?
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 06-29-2007 05:53 PM
I have just completed a little over 24 hours of having my first tray in. I am a little anxious about having them in. I keep wondering if I can get through 9 months of wearing these things for like 21-22 hours a day! I wonder if anyone else has same problem? Also the lisp bothers me, I havent told more than one or two ppl so far that I have the braces in. That and the fact of brushing at work now.
. |
Pricey102
Preferred Member
|
posted 06-29-2007 08:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by blueh:
I have just completed a little over 24 hours of having my first tray in. I am a little anxious about having them in. I keep wondering if I can get through 9 months of wearing these things for like 21-22 hours a day! I wonder if anyone else has same problem? Also the lisp bothers me, I havent told more than one or two ppl so far that I have the braces in. That and the fact of brushing at work now.
I am two weeks in and I felt exactly like you did. Twice. I started this back in December. Freaked out and stopped after 3 hours. It haunted me for 6 months and then two weeks ago i took the plundge and tried it again. It will most definatly get better. Just remember - its going to be hard every once in a while - I mean it is moving your teeth. But you will be so happy in the end. 9 months is NOTHING. it will fly by!
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 06-29-2007 09:04 PM
Yea I hope it does get better. I am thinkging pretty much like you did back in december of just stopping after a day or see if the dentist can just take it out. I'll give it a few more days. I still got to tell someone in my family haha. I am sure they'll notice the lisp. I hope that goes away though I really dont want the whole world knowing yet.
. |
invisuser
Junior Member
|
posted 06-29-2007 11:52 PM
I'm on my 4th set, and the inside of my top aligner is painfully pushing into my gums on the back side of my teeth. It hurts SO much when I snap them in, and then it gets numb, but when I take them out, that area is all tender as if it has been cut. It's made me REALLY bad about wearing them constantly. Does anyone know why this is happening or what I can do? I tried to file them, but that didn't do anything. I'm praying the next set is like the few, but I'm also nervous to switch to it because the current set probably hasn't done it's job properly due to my low usage.
. |
gettingitdoneat41
Preferred Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 04:55 PM
My ortho actually uses a rotary-type tool to remove any portion of the aligner that would touch the soft tissue of my mouth in the same area you are describing so that only tooth tissue is covered by the aligner. Once he asked me to try an aligner before he modified it and it was horrible. I imagine that I would be going through what you are if he didn't remove that portion. He started doing this with my first aligner before I ever even tried it on so I imagine he has had other patients with the problem you are describing. quote:
Originally posted by invisuser:
I'm on my 4th set, and the inside of my top aligner is painfully pushing into my gums on the back side of my teeth. It hurts SO much when I snap them in, and then it gets numb, but when I take them out, that area is all tender as if it has been cut. It's made me REALLY bad about wearing them constantly. Does anyone know why this is happening or what I can do? I tried to file them, but that didn't do anything. I'm praying the next set is like the few, but I'm also nervous to switch to it because the current set probably hasn't done it's job properly due to my low usage.
. |
invisuser
Junior Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 07:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gettingitdoneat41:
My ortho actually uses a rotary-type tool to remove any portion of the aligner that would touch the soft tissue of my mouth in the same area you are describing so that only tooth tissue is covered by the aligner. Once he asked me to try an aligner before he modified it and it was horrible. I imagine that I would be going through what you are if he didn't remove that portion. He started doing this with my first aligner before I ever even tried it on so I imagine he has had other patients with the problem you are describing.
Thanks! I looked in the mirror last night and it was NOT pretty what happened to my gums, so I knew I had to stop wearing them immediately. I went to the dentist this morning and even she was like "wow" when she saw them, and looks like she started doing exactly what you're talking about. But even when I tried them back on AFTER she did it, it was excruciating because the area is all inflammed, red, and tender. I'm going to have to not wear anything for a week or so until it heals, and then hopefully put back on the modified one - she said she will order future aligners without that part even in there, whatever that means. The annoying part is that not wearing my aligners for so long may backtrack my progress and make me regress back to earlier aligners and start over... which kind of makes me scratch my head at the whole concept of Invisalign providing "longterm" results.
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 08:26 PM
quick question. they recommend keeping the aligners in for 20-22 hours. I keep on hearing keep them in for 22 hours. I was just at a bbq and had them of for a total of 3 hours today, cuz you know sometimes a meal lasts a little more than just 30 mins with food coming at a steady pace. As long as I keep it within that 20 hour threshold I should be ok right? I am only getting on day 3 at this point so I would like to know sooner rather than later. Thanks.
. |
invisuser
Junior Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 08:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by blueh:
quick question. they recommend keeping the aligners in for 20-22 hours. I keep on hearing keep them in for 22 hours. I was just at a bbq and had them of for a total of 3 hours today, cuz you know sometimes a meal lasts a little more than just 30 mins with food coming at a steady pace. As long as I keep it within that 20 hour threshold I should be ok right? I am only getting on day 3 at this point so I would like to know sooner rather than later. Thanks.
I've read 20-24, and I've heard like 23 from my dentist... but I just can't eat that quickly. It's one thing if I'm home, but I had the exact issue at a BBQ you did. And what about being at a restaurant with apps/entree/dessert? We can't exactly whip them in and out of our mouths with an all out saliva display at a table with others, or get up to go to the bathroom every 15 mins... my thoughts are if you CAN wear them for that long, great, but if you happen to be in certain situations, a few days closer to 20 hours or a little less isn't going to kill you. I have a similar issue with coffee... I am slowwww at drinking it, and don't want to waste 30 mins of breaktime on that - so often I feel like it's better to just keep them in and do a good rinse afterwards. I know this requires some sort of lifestyle modification, and I have cut down on my random snacking habits, but it's hard to change so much overnight. Just don't get too irresponsible - remind yourself of the $$$ and the results to get yourself back on track!
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 08:54 PM
QUOTE]
I've read 20-24, and I've heard like 23 from my dentist... but I just can't eat that quickly. It's one thing if I'm home, but I had the exact issue at a BBQ you did. And what about being at a restaurant with apps/entree/dessert? We can't exactly whip them in and out of our mouths with an all out saliva display at a table with others, or get up to go to the bathroom every 15 mins... my thoughts are if you CAN wear them for that long, great, but if you happen to be in certain situations, a few days closer to 20 hours or a little less isn't going to kill you. I have a similar issue with coffee... I am slowwww at drinking it, and don't want to waste 30 mins of breaktime on that - so often I feel like it's better to just keep them in and do a good rinse afterwards. I know this requires some sort of lifestyle modification, and I have cut down on my random snacking habits, but it's hard to change so much overnight. Just don't get too irresponsible - remind yourself of the $$$ and the results to get yourself back on track![/B][/QUOTE] Yea I know what you mean, and I am only one day 3! Well one thing that stinks is my friends and I like to go to the city a lot, I think I have to cut back on that. You can't go to a bathroom bar and start brushing and what not. I think I would save those nights for a special occasion. But as far as food goes 23 hours is nuts. First day I rushed all three meals and I did like an hour n half...plus 30 mins of pulling it out just to get that normal feeling back in my mouth(which feels great). But yea I know to keep it within reason is best approach. Thanks for the help.
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 09:26 PM
From my experience you will have the best results if you try especially well to keep to a full 22hours+ a day for the first 3-4 days of a new aligner since that is when the tooth movement occurs. The rest of the 2 weeks is just to hold the teeth in that position and allow the roots to heal and if you have to reduce the wear time a little for a day or so, do it during that latter period. You will get used to each new aligner faster and easier if you try to start it in the evening after dinner when you can leave them in for a long stretch like 12hours. Its better to not have one very long stretch without them out for the 2 hours out per day, better to break that up into 3 or 4 shorter periods like 30-40min per meal or snack break. I got into a habit to prepare everything in advance BEFORE removing the aligners so you could eat immediately after they were out and then immediately go brush/floss and put them in and that can be done in <40min breaks with practice. You have to get into the routine and then it becomes easy.Some doctors have patients wear each aligner set longer like 3 weeks (instead of 2 weeks) to offset patients who don't commit to close to the recommended daily 22hr wear, so it goes faster if you work hard to do that. Just get into a habit and plan ahead I found that worked well for the past year for me.
. |
invisuser
Junior Member
|
posted 06-30-2007 11:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by blueh:
Yea I know what you mean, and I am only one day 3! Well one thing that stinks is my friends and I like to go to the city a lot, I think I have to cut back on that. You can't go to a bathroom bar and start brushing and what not. I think I would save those nights for a special occasion. But as far as food goes 23 hours is nuts. First day I rushed all three meals and I did like an hour n half...plus 30 mins of pulling it out just to get that normal feeling back in my mouth(which feels great). But yea I know to keep it within reason is best approach. Thanks for the help.
I HATED it the first week, but it gets better - promise! It will be less uncomfortable/gross in your mouth, and talking will be normal, and irritating things will be habit. I'm still only a month or two in, but it's much better (aside from my recent issues) than that first week.Also, some people may find this gross, but there are a number of times I've eaten and not brushed afterwards before putting them back in. I am not so into brushing in public bathrooms, and don't want to become antisocial because of a dental treatment! I just do a good water rinse of my mouth (even it's subtly at the dinner table with my glass before swallowing), rinse the aligner, and just brush later when I get home. Doesn't really bother me. I'm going try and get more frequent dental cleanings to make up for any issues that may arise!
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-01-2007 10:43 AM
Beh. I just had some corn, and I haven't taken into account my newly moved front teeth wouldn't like it. They feel really sensitive now and I'm on the 10th day of my second tray, but who's counting. I wonder if they ever feel normal again.
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 07-01-2007 11:06 AM
I want to clean them using baking soda and cold water. Has anyone tried this. My dentist told me not to buy the cleaning system for it is a waste of money. If anyone has any tips about cleaning them I wouldnt mind hearing about them. I want to avoid cloudiness as well.
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-01-2007 05:36 PM
Check out the thread specifically about cleaning aligners.
Some invisaligners here have reported good results using a little hydrogen-peroxide with water. But many of us use a denture cleaner (like Efferdent or similar) tablet in warm water once a day and that works great! Before I used the tablet, a white film would start to build up on parts of the aligners after a few days unless you brushed hard often. But with the denture tablets (I now use the very cheap store brands like from Target) its easy and doesn't take any extra work or time to keep them clean and fresh. I just use let the aligners soak with the tablet and warm water for 15+ minutes while I have breakfast.
. |
Teddy
Junior Member
|
posted 07-01-2007 08:40 PM
Badboy I just have to say that all your input is SO helpful. I haven't even got my aligners yet but I am well prepared, in large part due to you. On behalf of all of us new to invisalign - thank you!!! Keep up the great work and helpful insights.
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 07-02-2007 06:05 PM
Yea, and the denture cleaner wont warp or ruin the alighners. I know HOT water is a big no no. That will mishapen them. I will try something over the counter than because everyone is saying to avoid using the namebrand stuff. Thanks for the input.
. |
shawnna89
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-03-2007 05:32 PM
I just got my invisalign aligners yesterday. As a cleaning meathod my ortho suggested the sonic brite system. It works much better then the $100 invisalign cleaning system and the refills of the cleaning powder which last 64 cleanings a bottle only costs $11 dollars and the device itself only costs $40. You can find it at http://www.sonicbrite.com/
. |
Princess07
Junior Member
|
posted 07-03-2007 06:34 PM
I have looked all over the web and on this site and can't find much information about the Interproximal Reduction that the Invisalign system uses. My dentist put a .03mm gap between my two front upper teeth. I was not even originally worried about my upper teeth, as I had gone to him to correct the crowding of my lower teeth (they look fine at this point). I am done with my last set (8/8) and the gap is still there. He is doing a refinement for free. He also created two other gaps which are still there (in the uppers), but at this point I'm MUCH less concerned about them... however I am PRETTY WORRIED overall. Any thoughts????
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 07-04-2007 11:07 AM
Has anyone here almost finished their invisalign treatment? Are the end results coming up the way your are liking them to be? I am just curious if I dont wear my aligner for an hour hear n there and my teeth will move back to the original position. How will wearing a retainger, my dentist said I would have to wear one at night forever, hold my teeth in place. This is the one thing I do not understand to well. Are they going to move back noticeably?
. |
D_12
Junior Member
|
posted 07-04-2007 01:11 PM
Ok so I just now put in my second set of treys...I was expecting increased pressure and all but boy this is a lot of pressure. It's all good though because it just means it's working but taking these off this evening is going to be a pain!The initial pressure/trouble taking off treys went away after about 2 and a half days in to the first set of treys...hoping it'll be the same for this set too.  The one thing I really noticed is how soft the treys I used for the last two weeks felt compared to this new set of treys...I guess they soften up quite a bit, to that rubbery feeling, as the days go by ....and I thoroughly cleaned my treys after every single meal but compared to the new ones I just put in the old ones were a tiny bit discoloured...well may be not discoloured but they were less clear. Any how...just wanted to update my status..NOT looking forward to taking these off later tonight though 
. |
Mz
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-04-2007 01:23 PM
I am one week into treatment, and yesterday had one button on the bottom front tooth. Oh gosh, I just want to give up. I tried eating and it cut me to pieces. It is so sore. My ortho's office was closed, but another office gave me some ortho wax for free (just a small bit) and I am trying that. Also, getting the lower tray off, even with one button takes forever now. Whinge whinge! I'm just feeling sorry for myself, and daren't try to eat just yet.
. |
chris8796
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-05-2007 10:19 AM
Mz,I'm on my 3rd tray and for me everything was great until I got my attachments. They really change the experience. These are the large rectangles, not the little round buttons. I now understand when people say their aligners are impossible to get off. I've already broken 2 attachments off fighting with them. Mine were also rough at first. I took some sand paper/emory cloth 200+ grit and very carefully removed the sharp points (esp, the ones caused by the little holes in the template). This has helped alot as far as feeling them. The trays are still a pain to get off, but I'm slowly figuring it out. good luck and hang in there.
. |
mimi
Junior Member
|
posted 07-05-2007 04:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mz:
I am one week into treatment, and yesterday had one button on the bottom front tooth. Oh gosh, I just want to give up. I tried eating and it cut me to pieces. It is so sore. My ortho's office was closed, but another office gave me some ortho wax for free (just a small bit) and I am trying that. Also, getting the lower tray off, even with one button takes forever now. Whinge whinge! I'm just feeling sorry for myself, and daren't try to eat just yet.
Hi,Try using a small piece of paper towel to get leverage. Hold it between your thumb and forefinger. Hope it helps!
. |
Mz
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-05-2007 08:27 PM
Thanks so much for the tip about sanding the button down. It's actually a rectangle, not a dot one, and sore as h*ll! I'm air crew and can't face nipping into the toilets to remove my brace to eat, so went fourteen hours without food. It's actually a relief to get the brace back on, it's much more comfortable than without. I'm in my hotel room downroute, sucking soggy cereal so I don't have to chew! I don't know how I'd have coped without this message board, it's nice to know this is all normal and it should get better. Cheers for the tips. (I'll also try the paper towel trick)
. |
Relle
Junior Member
|
posted 07-06-2007 10:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by blueh:
I want to clean them using baking soda and cold water. Has anyone tried this. My dentist told me not to buy the cleaning system for it is a waste of money. If anyone has any tips about cleaning them I wouldnt mind hearing about them. I want to avoid cloudiness as well.
Hi Guys
It's been a LONG time since I have posted. A lot has happened since. I am now on 42/48U
and 19/19L. I've had the samelower tray in since Oct 06. There was a LOT of chatter regarding how long it would last. Well, I am going to share with you a few experiences.
#1 The bottom tray being used until I am done with the rest of my top trays. I have used the one tray alone for 8 months now. It finally cracked in the front right in the middle. Just a small crack, but aside from that, The Doc says it's ok. it still is doing the job of keeping my lower teeth in place while the top teeth are still moving.
#2 Cleaning the trays.. I use Efferdent plus every day during my biggest meal. The trays soak while I eat. About 15 minutes to 30 minutes. I use a hard tooth brush to scrub it. If theres a little heavier film, I add salt and baking soda to some tooth paste and use it.
I was particularly upset that using the lower tray for so long has made it appear more stained or filmy. It didn't want to come off. While cleaning some calcium stains in the bath tub using CLR( calcium Lime and rust remover), I got the idea to CAREFULLY mix 50/50 CLR and water in a small cup that was large enough to hold my tray flat and just used enough to cover the entire tray.. about 2 ounces ( 1 ounce each of water and CLR) I let it soak about 10 minutes and not touching the soloution, poured it out in a sink of running water.. rinsing and rinsing. not handling the inside or the tray til I was sure there wasn't any more CLR. I then used a stiff toothbrush with some paste and salt and WOW.. the lower tray looked ALMOST like new, aside from the crack and I noticed the filmy look was partially because of the minute scratches from the abrasive salt/baking soda.But it looked great and wasn't yellow any more. I have since done this about once a week and have included the top tray. Makes a HUGE difference. I have 6 more trays to go..about three months, then I might have to have a couple more made for refinements. I must admit, it has gotten to the point where I feel naked without them in my mouth.. Like my teeth don't have that extra layer of protection. I used to wear contacts. I remember that it was hard to get used to them and once I did, my eyes felt vulnerable when the contacts were out.. I don't need them, it was a change your eye colour to be different thing and they took more work to keep clean that they were worth wearing..
Anyway, I am hoping I won't need refinements and that after the 3 months I will have to wear retainers night and day. I am hoping that the time will be up by christmas that i will only haveto wear my retainers at night.. I want to be able to eat/snakc/ nosh all day on Christmas without worrying about having to floss and brush and get my trays right back in.
. |
Pricey102
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-06-2007 11:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Relle:
Hi Guys
It's been a LONG time since I have posted. A lot has happened since. I am now on 42/48U
and 19/19L. I've had the samelower tray in since Oct 06. There was a LOT of chatter regarding how long it would last. Well, I am going to share with you a few experiences.
#1 The bottom tray being used until I am done with the rest of my top trays. I have used the one tray alone for 8 months now. It finally cracked in the front right in the middle. Just a small crack, but aside from that, The Doc says it's ok. it still is doing the job of keeping my lower teeth in place while the top teeth are still moving.
#2 Cleaning the trays.. I use Efferdent plus every day during my biggest meal. The trays soak while I eat. About 15 minutes to 30 minutes. I use a hard tooth brush to scrub it. If theres a little heavier film, I add salt and baking soda to some tooth paste and use it.
I was particularly upset that using the lower tray for so long has made it appear more stained or filmy. It didn't want to come off. While cleaning some calcium stains in the bath tub using CLR( calcium Lime and rust remover), I got the idea to CAREFULLY mix 50/50 CLR and water in a small cup that was large enough to hold my tray flat and just used enough to cover the entire tray.. about 2 ounces ( 1 ounce each of water and CLR) I let it soak about 10 minutes and not touching the soloution, poured it out in a sink of running water.. rinsing and rinsing. not handling the inside or the tray til I was sure there wasn't any more CLR. I then used a stiff toothbrush with some paste and salt and WOW.. the lower tray looked ALMOST like new, aside from the crack and I noticed the filmy look was partially because of the minute scratches from the abrasive salt/baking soda.But it looked great and wasn't yellow any more. I have since done this about once a week and have included the top tray. Makes a HUGE difference. I have 6 more trays to go..about three months, then I might have to have a couple more made for refinements. I must admit, it has gotten to the point where I feel naked without them in my mouth.. Like my teeth don't have that extra layer of protection. I used to wear contacts. I remember that it was hard to get used to them and once I did, my eyes felt vulnerable when the contacts were out.. I don't need them, it was a change your eye colour to be different thing and they took more work to keep clean that they were worth wearing..
Anyway, I am hoping I won't need refinements and that after the 3 months I will have to wear retainers night and day. I am hoping that the time will be up by christmas that i will only haveto wear my retainers at night.. I want to be able to eat/snakc/ nosh all day on Christmas without worrying about having to floss and brush and get my trays right back in.
What I dont understand is why they don't put a wire retainer on your bottom teeth while you are waiting for the top trays to finish. If our bottoms are done being shifted then why wear the tray. Why not move on....
. |
invisuser
Junior Member
|
posted 07-09-2007 06:32 AM
A few questions....1. Has EVERYONE's dentist told them they have to wear the retainer daily forever? That kind of... sucks. And if so, would the case be the same had we gotten braces? 2. If you happen to have lost or broken your aligner, how long does it take to get it replaced? How much do you get charged, if anything? 3. Similar to the question above, I'm also wondering - if the lower is done with aligners a lot earlier than the upper, what is the reasoning behind keeping that final aligner in for months vs. switching to a retainer since you are technically "done" straightening? Thanks in advance!
. |
chashmish
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-09-2007 11:03 AM
invisiuser -1. I was told that the retainers will have to be worn fulltime for a few months and subsequently at night. My ortho said it's okay to skip a few days, but to try wearing it 2-3 times/week. It would be similar to the trays in that if you don't wear them enough, the retainers will feel tight when you do decide to put them back in. You should be able to get a feel for how long you can go. And yes, it is the same for regular braces. 2. Not sure on how long it takes to get a tray replaced, but it does cost money. I think it was somewhere in the $60 - $100 range per set. 3. The rationale behind wearing the last tray is that in order to create the retainers, impressions need to be taken. Most orthos prefer to wait and only have one set of impressions taken.
. |
AnneC
Preferred Member
|
posted 07-09-2007 02:28 PM
Pricey & invisuser:The reason you need to keep wearing your last tray until your other arch is completed, is in case refinements are needed in the end. There could very well be some teeth that will need "tweaking" in both upper/lower arches at the end of your initial plan. Only when Refinements are DONE completely, will your Retainer type be decided upon & ordered if need be. If you go with Invisalign brand, they are made from your last Refinement tray moulds that fit perfectly (you can take up to 3 refinement series last time I checked before added cost). You only get one kick at the can for Invisalign brand Retainers... Impressions may be taken for the ortho/dentist's own records (as mine did), but they are absolutely necessary for other brands like Essix or even Hawley types. AnneC
. |
Shadi
Junior Member
|
posted 07-09-2007 10:53 PM
I just wanted to tell everyone how my invisalign experience has been so far. I started in September and I am finally done with my lowers and have a few more months left on my upper set. I had a really bad crossbite and a huge gap between my front teeth which is 90% fixed now. This has seriously been one of the best decisions I have ever made. My teeth have improved dramatically and I smile all the time now which I never did before invisalign. I want to encourage everyone not to give up or be discouraged. The discomfort is definitely worth it for the results
. |
invisuser
Junior Member
|
posted 07-10-2007 02:59 AM
Thank you both for the responses! quote:
Originally posted by AnneC:
Pricey & invisuser:
If you go with Invisalign brand, they are made from your last Refinement tray moulds that fit perfectly (you can take up to 3 refinement series last time I checked before added cost). You only get one kick at the can for Invisalign brand Retainers... Impressions may be taken for the ortho/dentist's own records (as mine did), but they are absolutely necessary for other brands like Essix or even Hawley types. AnneC
Wow. Multiple types! What is the difference/best type? Are they "invisible"?
. |
spunkie
Junior Member
|
posted 07-11-2007 10:10 AM
I originally got Invisalign because the top right side of my teeth was "overbiting" (slightly inside compared to the lower right teeth) and was damaging my tongue. I first had the teeth/palate spreader for about 6 months and that was horrible. Then my ortho got me Invisalign. (he's supposedly one of the best in the state)
My initial I. treatment was supposed to be 1.5 years. That was not nearly enough to widen my teeth to correct my original problem, nor did it effectively move the rest of my teeth to align correctly. (my teeth were actually nice to begin with) Now I'm going to need additional aligners (I've already had 6 months past the initial 1.5 years) and I'm getting pissed off.
$6000 dollars later my teeth problems are significantly worse - not only is the initial problem I came in with not corrected, but now I have a 1/8 inch gap between my top and bottom teeth on both sides and they don't touch! My dentist is freaking saying that the pressure on the rest of my teeth will cause damage over time and that this really needs to get fixed. And my ortho says not to worry it will get fixed. Will it? I seriously doubt it.
So... would I do it again? Absolutely not. 2 years and $6000 later my teeth are worse, and I have to endure the slightly funny speech (I'm a professor and take them out when I teach so I don't sound like a spaz) and also endure the pain associated with each new set of aligners.
Good luck to you all... I'm miserable. quote:
Originally posted by blueh:
Has anyone here almost finished their invisalign treatment? Are the end results coming up the way your are liking them to be? I am just curious if I dont wear my aligner for an hour hear n there and my teeth will move back to the original position. How will wearing a retainger, my dentist said I would have to wear one at night forever, hold my teeth in place. This is the one thing I do not understand to well. Are they going to move back noticeably?
. |
slee
Junior Member
|
posted 07-11-2007 01:30 PM
Hello, this is my first post for this site. I just wanted to provide some input from my experience with Invisalign braces. I finished my treatment 4 months ago after wearing them for two years. I am now wearing them for the "refinement" phase. I have read some horror stories on this site but my experience was nothing of the sort. Of course I was in tears the first week because of the pain but I adjusted and my treatment has been very successful. I am doing a refinement now because I am a VERY picky person and wanted to correct something that no one else but me probably notices. Also, my orthodontist is goingt to whiten my teeth free of charge once I am completely done. I would recommend to anyone thinking of doing Invisaligns to get a referral from a friend or someone that you trust. If that's not an option for you then I would recommend getting several consultations from different Orthodontists before selecting one. This process can be very expensive even if insurance partially paying for it so you want to make sure that you select the correct person for the job. Feel free to ask me any questions as I have been wearing Invisaligns so long that I pretty much can answer any question pertaining to them.
. |
blueh
Junior Member
|
posted 07-14-2007 10:23 AM
quote:
Originally posted by slee:
Hello, this is my first post for this site. I just wanted to provide some input from my experience with Invisalign braces. I finished my treatment 4 months ago after wearing them for two years. I am now wearing them for the "refinement" phase. I have read some horror stories on this site but my experience was nothing of the sort. Of course I was in tears the first week because of the pain but I adjusted and my treatment has been very successful. I am doing a refinement now because I am a VERY picky person and wanted to correct something that no one else but me probably notices. Also, my orthodontist is goingt to whiten my teeth free of charge once I am completely done. I would recommend to anyone thinking of doing Invisaligns to get a referral from a friend or someone that you trust. If that's not an option for you then I would recommend getting several consultations from different Orthodontists before selecting one. This process can be very expensive even if insurance partially paying for it so you want to make sure that you select the correct person for the job. Feel free to ask me any questions as I have been wearing Invisaligns so long that I pretty much can answer any question pertaining to them.
Oh, so after two years you have been in refinement for four months. The dentist told me I am going to be on for 9 months with some refinements. Does this mean I can expect to see a few more weeks out of this treatment. I am on 2/19 for both u and l. Only one person has noticed and that was my co-worker and he knew right away that I was wearing them due to my speech was affected.
. |
