I am currently wearing my 2nd set of aligners for my Invisalign treatment. I only have 10 aligners total, 10 for the top, 10 for the bottom. Therefore my treatment time is relatively short... a mere 5 months.

I was surprised by the short treatment time, I was told during my initial consultation that I should expect a treatment time of 10-15 months. I will not complain though!!

The reason for the vast difference in treatment times was the fact that my molars have little to no movement, therefore all the movement is in the front, straightening out twisting teeth and repositioning crowded teeth on the bottom.

So far I feel no pain. None what-so-ever. There is a constant feeling of pressure the few couple days on an aligner, but nothing that affects my day-to-day life in any way. Absolutely no one has noticed that I am wearing Invisalign (which is WONDERFUL!) and I couldn't be happier with the treatment.

Wish me luck on the next 4+ months!!!

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Originally posted by toothobsessed:
Hi everyone! Getting my consultation $ x-rays this month. Hoping to get my first set of trays by end of January!! Yaay! Can I get an idea of weight that people have lost? Strange question, I know...but curious about it. Thanks!

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I have lost just over 10 lbs so far and I'm on day 16 of my treatment. I find that I drink alot more water and tend to not snack as much because I don't want to bother with taking out my aligners and flossing, brushing, and mouthwashing my mouth all day long.

I have also been eating a lot better lately, trying to lose some of the weight that I've gained back from my last successful weight loss.

So my weight loss is from my lack of snacking, plus the increased amount of water I'm now consuming, as well as the change of diet and increase in exercise. (Nothing too drastic though because I don't really have a lot of time to spare... I work over 70 hours a week and go to college full time!!!) So I am proof that it can be done!!!

I'm 55 yr old. First had the RR tracks at 13. They only had the upper retainer then (nothing for the bottoms). Over the years, misalignment took place and invisalign was recommended.

I'm into week 6 of 6 for the bottom (6 of 11 for the tops). I also had some of the "trimming between teeth" ie: sanding down the sides of the teeh, to make some room for re-alignment issues.

After reading most of what's in this thread, I would confirm:

1)tongue was sore at first (because of the foreign object--tray--it kept wanting to "feel it out". When I became aware that I was playing with it, I consciously had to stop. That worked for me and it stopped hurting.

2)The pain with the new tray lasts about 2 days for me (new one every Thurs and the pain is gone by the weekend).

IN FACT, most days I have to actually probe with my tongue to make sure they ARE in and I didn't forget them at home.

3)When I first had the trays in place, I talked with a lisp (I didn't normally lisp). Now when I have the trays OUT for whatever reason, I lisp. Weird.

4) Very difficult to keep clean to the extent they smell after about a week (cleaning after every meal, etc). Some tips I've picked up here will help. Thanks

5)The retainer issue hasn't been discussed yet with my dentist but I know that I'll be getting permanent ones put in. I think they're just wires that are cemented in the backs of the front teeh (top & bottom), similar to what both my (adult) children have now (they had the RR tracks in their early teens and they're now in the mid twenties).

6)It is very hard to eat properly (ie the teeth are not lined up because of the different stages the tops & bottoms are at so the chewing aspect is difficult. You adjust.

7)Haven't lost any weight even though I cut down on "between meal snacking" because I tend to have a bit extra when I do snack to make up for "lost time".

The biggest pain I have is meal times in that I like to have a drink and some chips b4 dinner. The "out time" sometimes goes to 3-4 hours into the evening hours because of snack, dinner, sit & talk, have some tea, etc etc. Time can get away on you doing this.

Would I do it again? Hell ya. NO ONE at work or relatives know I wear them, including my kids. I just leave the room and remove them when needed.

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Originally posted by voyager:
First post.

I'm 55 yr old. First had the RR tracks at 13. They only had the upper retainer then (nothing for the bottoms). Over the years, misalignment took place and invisalign was recommended.

I'm into week 6 of 6 for the bottom (6 of 11 for the tops). I also had some of the "trimming between teeth" ie: sanding down the sides of the teeth, to make some room for re-alignment issues.

After reading most of what's in this thread, I would confirm:

1)tongue was sore at first (because of the foreign object--tray--it kept wanting to "feel it out". When I became aware that I was playing with it, I consciously had to stop. That worked for me and it stopped hurting.

2)The pain with the new tray lasts about 2 days for me (new one every Thurs and the pain is gone by the weekend).

IN FACT, most days I have to actually probe with my tongue to make sure they ARE in and I didn't forget them at home.

3)When I first had the trays in place, I talked with a lisp (I didn't normally lisp). Now when I have the trays OUT for whatever reason, I lisp. Weird.

4) Very difficult to keep clean to the extent they smell after about a week (cleaning after every meal, etc). Some tips I've picked up here will help. Thanks

5)The retainer issue hasn't been discussed yet with my dentist but I know that I'll be getting permanent ones put in. I think they're just wires that are cemented in the backs of the front teeh (top & bottom), similar to what both my (adult) children have now (they had the RR tracks in their early teens and they're now in the mid twenties).

6)It is very hard to eat properly (ie the teeth are not lined up because of the different stages the tops & bottoms are at so the chewing aspect is difficult. You adjust.

7)Haven't lost any weight even though I cut down on "between meal snacking" because I tend to have a bit extra when I do snack to make up for "lost time".

The biggest pain I have is meal times in that I like to have a drink and some chips b4 dinner. The "out time" sometimes goes to 3-4 hours into the evening hours because of snack, dinner, sit & talk, have some tea, etc etc. Time can get away on you doing this.

Would I do it again? Hell ya. NO ONE at work or relatives know I wear them, including my kids. I just leave the room and remove them when needed.

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After waiting 4 months for my trays to come in (it turns out my ortho was re-checking the people at Invisalign's work...and finding things that were impossible to do in real life, but looked good on the computer to the computer whizzes at Invisalign), I finally got them in November.

I have 18 "attachments." That is ridiculous. They're on all of my teeth that can be seen when I smile. Also one on each of my back four molars. I am VERY unhappy with this. It's extremely noticeable. I've had two people ask me/tell me that I had something on my teeth. Yes, thank you I know.

Had I known that they were going to be this obvious, I would have never gone with the treatment. My teeth were not/are not noticeably crooked by anyone but me. Everyone keeps asking me why on earth I went and got braces to begin with. I'm starting to wonder myself.

The 18 "attachments" are going to be there throughout the entire 18 months of the treatment. So I get to look ridiculous for a year and a half. Yay.

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Originally posted by yesidrivethesaab:
Here's the blog I'm setting up... feel free to look and comment

http://shinychompers.livejournal.com/

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Originally posted by yesidrivethesaab:
I NOW HAVE PICTURES ON MY BLOG!!!

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Originally posted by Kim:
I have a question. Is everyone suppose to get attachments, because I'm on my third set of trays and I haven't gotten any, but I have noticed the air buttons on my trays. My ortho has not brought anything up to me about having to get them , so I'm not sure. Did everyone here who had to get buttons get them at the very beginning of treatment, or did you get them on later trays?

Also did everyone see their clincheck because again my ortho has not showed me or mentioned it to me, nor has he told me how many trays I have in total. I'm kind of concerned. On my next visit I'm definitely going to ask about these things.

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Originally posted by catherine:
hi, yes i have the empty bubble and no attactment, she said i would get them on next visit . i have 19 top and bottom. 4800.00 i have a bad overbite and spaces on each side of my two front teeth i have hated my smile for about 20 yrs. i had braces when i was 13, im now 46. im on my 2nd set . i can see no change at all.

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Now that I'm about half way through the process I thought I'd offer my thoughts on the Invisaligns:

1. I must be unusual, but with each of the lowers I have had to spend 20 minutes or so with very fine sandpaper to make them comfortable. The margins are just too rough, and seem to bend outward at the gum line. Drives my tongue crazy! I have not had to ever do anything with the uppers. Odd.

2. I probably average only 18 hours a day with them. That sounds like the least anyone here has mentioned. However, all is progressing well, and for me at least that has not been "too little". My dentist at first gave me the same lectures ".....23 hours a day....", but he says all is well, and I have not told him I'm averaging 18 hrs!

3. Pain with new trays for me is almost non-existent now. I had a bit with the first 3-4 trays for 2-3 days, but now I just pre-medicate with 4 Ibupropens, and pop the new tray(s) in at night before turning out the light. Works for me. The first 2-3 days of a new tray I try to get closer to keeping them in for 20-21 hours. That helps too.

4. I am not fastidious about popping mine in and out for eating, drinking, etc. If I am away from home I just take them out, do my drink and or food, then get my teeth as clean as possible before popping the trays back in. I'm getting good at doing that even though I have 6 buttons in my mouth. It has taken me a while to not be too particular; it's better than keeping the trays out too long I think.

5. I regulary use a non-alcoholic mouthwash called "Biotene" which is wonderful. I suffer from dry mouth anyway, and used it prior to starting the trays, but now I use the Biotene 10 or so times a day. I keep a small bottle of it in my pocket when I'm away from home.

Ms YesIDriveTheSaab, I believe you are going to get several proposals of marriage based on your blog! Nice work on the blog also. Are you a professional photographer?

So I forgot about it for a few years, then went to my little sister's ortho, who said he was up to the challenge, and fitted me for Invisaligns. He said he could correct it without surgery. He also said if he had to place traditional braces it would be included in the cost ($6500)

Initially I would shred my fingernails trying to get them out, but it got better. I try to rinse my mouth frequently to keep them "fresh". I also use denture cleaner when I wake up, and when I put them in for the night, and have had no issues with staining, odor or slime. I will hopefully be done in 12 months unless I need to be re-impressed.

- My teeth hurt slightly for a few hours after I put in a new aligner, then feel fine (I try to eat soft stuff for a few meals, as my teeth feel a little loose after changing aligners)

- To get them out easier, pull down on one side until it pops off, then pull across your mouth until the other side pops free. (I have 11 atachments, which are pretty visible close-up, but are starting to match my teeth. I was NOT told about the size or number before I started)

- Use denture cleaner frequently

- If I can't brush at work after eating, I swish and spit, and put 'em back in.

- I find that I decide if a snack is worth taking them out.

- Towards the end of my 2-week cycle I can leave them out for 6-8 hours if I need to, and can put them back without them hurting/moving. I leave them in as much as possible during the first part of the cycle.

I am just concerned and wondering if anyone else has had this happen. I am due to change my top ones now and the next set of bottom ones are definitely not fitting. I just put the new top ones in and have the old bottom ones in to keep them from moving.
It's strange because the tray fits but I can actually see that the tooth isn't in the spot it should be in and there is a lot of space between the tooth and the top of the tray.

I am a bit frustrated with this because I was hoping that I was close to done and wouldnt have any problems. They are telling me now that they might have to put another attachment on my front bottom tooth! I really hate these attachments and don't want one on a front tooth as it will be so visble.

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Originally posted by Eric:
Yah, thats pretty expensive, I paid low $5000's for mine which is an 18 month plan in Orange County, CA. I'm sure I could have even got it for another $500-$1000 cheaper if I had of gone to a a lower income area to get them.

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After treatment is finished, be it the original treatment, or refinement, I will receive a clear retainer, much like invislign but a bit thicker, which I will have to wear for a year, all the time, just like in treatment. That was one blow. But also I was told that Invisalign only includes one set of retainers for that year, but at the same time they only last 3-4 months, and then wear out, not to mention propbably get very filty. So you pretty much have to purchase another 2 to 3 sets of retainers to last you for the year. At a minimum cost of $200.
This is shady. If they make you wear a retainer for an entire year, and they know one set of retainers only last up to 4 months, why would they only include one set in the price that you're told up front? Which was $4000 for me (and is not the express package, but regular).
Then after a year I will get nighttime only retainers. And those can be clear, or the old school metal retainer by my understanding.

BUT I believed that I would have a choice as to a permanent or removeable retainer. Not so. It all depends (I'm now told). Not happy about that.

I'm finished with the top one (I'm wearing the last tray till the bottoms are done (4 more). Still hard to bite/chew because of one tooth that is out of alignment! It's part of the lower set so I'm not concerned about that.

I wasn't aware of the replacement nature of the after-treatment retainers nor their "short lives". Not an issue right now as I'm covered under two dental plans so the cost to me for this procedure is zero (otherwise, was around $5M).

I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on this or if you have had a similar experience.

When my aligners are on my teeth, there is approximately 2mm or so gap from the top of my tooth. In that gap salaiva accumulates in the form of bubbles - the best way i can describe the appearance is a somewhat sparkly/frosty look, that is slightly noticable. I know i might be more critical, but my teeth have a glittery shine to them because of the saliva bubbles. It doesnt look natural at all.

Ive also tried sucking the saliva out but it just doesnt help. Is there some handy tip i should know or are my aligners poorly worked?

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Originally posted by ina_from_sydney21:
hey guys, i have read about 40 or so pages and i havent come across my problem yet. I apologise if i have overlooked a response already.

I was wondering if anyone can shed some light on this or if you have had a similar experience.

When my aligners are on my teeth, there is approximately 2mm or so gap from the top of my tooth. In that gap salaiva accumulates in the form of bubbles - the best way i can describe the appearance is a somewhat sparkly/frosty look, that is slightly noticable. I know i might be more critical, but my teeth have a glittery shine to them because of the saliva bubbles. It doesnt look natural at all.

Ive also tried sucking the saliva out but it just doesnt help. Is there some handy tip i should know or are my aligners poorly worked?

thanks for your help.

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

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1. Put new aligners in at night right before bed, and take Advil first.

2. Buy a mouth-soothing ointment at drug store before you start first set, this really eases any discomfort from tension points, which will go away quickly. It's a waxy, minty substance to use on cancer sores, etc.

3. Make sure the dentist gives you the actual tool from Invisalign for removing the trays. It is like a tiny crochet hook, and you can hook it along the gum line to get the tray loosened for removal. Very easy, and very hygenic to use (vs. fingers).

4. You can drink coffee, tea, water, etc with the trays in. I have also eaten yogurt and applesauce. As long as you brush well when they are out it is no problem.

5. The "buttons" or attachments are not even noticeable. I have seven of them and NO ONE has noticed. I do however, have a slight lisp when the trays are in because my front teeth are crooked and thus the upper tray has a slight gap.

6. The trays can be easily cleaned with an electric toothbrush and toothpaste. An electric toothbrush is highly recommended for use during Invisalign treatment.

Good Luck!!

her is the braces picture

Does anyone think that it's worth investing in the Invisalign cleaning system? (http://www.invisalignstore.com/) I was told not to use denture cleaners or mouthwash on them....