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Author
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Topic: Invisalign Braces
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Karen
unregistered
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posted 07-22-2005 05:02 PM
I am on my fourth week of Invisalign. My experience here in the Denver metro region is as follows: total cost of services for both upper and lower aligners less than $4000. Dentist can do teeth whitening, if I choose, at additional cost, by using same aligners. Even the dental staff agree my aligners are about the tightest fit they have seen in their practice but even given that, I can get them on and off. Granted, the first couple days of each aligner have been the hardest but I have managed to figure out how best to tackle it for me. Removing is a tad longer than popping them in and it sometimes feels like I am going to pull my teeth out! I brush, floss and rinse religiously. I wear them 22ish hours or more. I eat pretty quickly and schedule meals and special outings so as to not interfere with the timing as best as I can. Had 2 buttons applied and one minor shaving- feels odd but not a show stopper. I do NOT have high correction but do have crowding and small off bite that is causing the teeth to begin rotating in a way I don't want to worsen as I get older. My dentist said that Invisalign would not necessarily be the correction of choice for all cases but was confident it would work for my case. I am 53 and never wore braces before and have noticed the change in teeth over the past 10 years. I am committed to making this work - a quality I think everyone needs who commits to Invisalign or even conventional braces. As for side effects, the biggest problem I am having is incredibly dry mouth but generally while at work only or when in lengthly social conversation. I talk to the public constantly and the dryness is very annoying. My lisping is improving and I seldom spit at people any more (for which they are VERY grateful!). To you women, for me the first 2 weeks felt like a very tight bra you squiggled in and could not wait to get off. That feeling is reducing. Actually, at home they are pretty much problem-free and after the first 2 weeks have become comfortable - it is ONLY at work (or long social get togethers), with all the talking, that they have been annoying. I have found that removing them for just a few minutes, chewing on something hard or crusty, then cleaning my teeth and getting the aligners back in to be VERY helpful. I have also bit both my inside cheeks 3 times now, which has been very painful and can add to the overall discomfort. Once a small piece of plastic bent and it was a day before I realized that was the cause of some further discomfort (I was able to bend it back in shape, with some strength). It is my hope that as my mouth becomes further desensitized to the plastic they will become more comfortable at work and the dryness problem will diminish. Yes, I had been shown the digitized version of the change in teeth - it was pretty cool. I hope this info helps anyone else experiencing similar. Another patient was leaving as I came in for my last appointment who had just finished her Invisalign. When asked is she was satisfied, I overheard her to say yes, very much so, and that she admitted she was skeptical at first but and was happy to see it work. Finally, there ARE some side benefits to Invisalign which may be of interest to some: I am incredibly well-hydrated (with all the water I am drinking), I am saving at least $70 a month that otherwise went to support by Starbucks habit (I was a 5-7 day regular for the past 10+ years - a real addict) and I have not had any withdrawal symptoms, AND I have lost almost 4 pounds (no more in-between meal snacking and I now eat a small breakfast to make sure I have energy to get me thru until lunch). Good luck to all of you!
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peggy
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posted 07-22-2005 06:05 PM
Well, I haven't written for a while and am into my 3rd week of my 2nd aligners. So far, things are going well after much improvement from the first aligners and the sore tongue, dry mouth, sore throat, etc. It all goes away so don't worry. I still have to put a little orthodontist wax on the inside of the lower aligner as it is a bit too big. My ortho will not file it down though as it will only get sharper, so I just use the wax. I start my 3rd aligner next Wednesday and can say that my teeth are beginning to even look abit different. I know they feel different when I take the aligners off--can't really bite naturally, but since it feels different, I know that there are some changes taking place. My treatment, as I have said before, consists of 54 aligners for the top and 42 for the bottom over a period of 24 months. Then, if that does not get us to where we want to be, then a few months of traditional braces. I am not at all concerned--I have a very good orthodontist and since I am 48, I am 100 percent committed to making this work. I lived with crooked teeth all my life and grew up having kids say very mean things to me about my teeth sticking out. So, everyone hang in there and look forward to the day when you are given your final aligner and know that the hard work and committment paid off. Smiles to all--
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dan
unregistered
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posted 07-24-2005 12:20 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Stephanie:
If I may ask, what types of problems are you wearing the aligners for? Spaces, incorrect bites, something else? How big are the spaces and how long do they take to close up?
I have severe crowding in my front upper teeth.. i was told i am a 11/10 in the easiest to hardest to treat.. I am looking at 18 months
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dan
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posted 07-24-2005 12:22 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Paul:
Mine was $5000 also for 11 months. I'm in CA.
i am paying 6700 in boston for 18 months of treatment
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dan
unregistered
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posted 07-24-2005 12:36 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ROBINCT:
Tongue irritation is normal. In a about a week, the irritation will be minimal. That's what happened with me. I just finished my first full week, and I have to say that my Invisaligns feel, well...invisible. Sometimes, I begin to eat with them in. My problem is this: What's the best way to clean them? I brush them often with my toothbrush and soak them in Listerine, but know there is still a whitish residue on the aligners. Does anybody have a secret they can share? Thank you!
P.S. As for buttons, I have four so far with more to come. I think they're more irritating/annoying to have than the actual aligners. But I assure you, they're still better than braces alone!
Smiles to all!
invisilign sells, what looks like, a small washing machine.. Its about 100 dollars but you put the trays in, add the cleaning agent, which comes with the machine, and 15 minutes later, they are nice and clean, I wash them between my evening meal and bed. Works great and worth it if you are wearing the invisilign braces for over 2 months, hope this helps.
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Eileen
unregistered
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posted 07-25-2005 11:23 AM
Hi Everyone! Going onto my second week of the wait for the aligners to come in so my ortho and I can go over the progress I will have with the braces graphically. I can't wait! I have very crowded teeth. With the removal of a few teeth my Ortho said my treatment should take up to 18 months. Which surprises me b/c my teeth are very crowded. We'll see.The braces I am doing are the new version of Invisalign they are called Orthoclear. Supposedly you change these every three weeks instead of two and the process I believe is speedier. They are just as expensive as the Invisalign I am paying $7500 roundabouts. I was wondering when does the Ortho get the results with the graphics and all that. I am really anxious and hope to hear from my ortho soon...can someone tell me when? It's only been a ten days since I had the impressions of my mouth done... Please let me know! Thanks and keep posting - everyone's advice is great!
Thanks.
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peggy
unregistered
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posted 07-25-2005 06:12 PM
eileen--
My aligners took 8 weeks to arrive after the impressions. I was even lucky the day of my impressions to have the man from the company in California visiting my ortho's office so he was able to look at my teeth and agreed that I was an excellent candidate. I also had to have 1 tooth extracted as my top teeth are very crowded--the bottom not too bad . My overall treatment will be 52 aligners for the top and 44 for the bottom over a period of 24 months. I may even need to get traditional braces for a few months to fine tune the final appearance--this would be done at no extra cost. My treatment cost 5300.00--I was very impatient too waiting for the trays to arrive, but now that they are here it is such a joy to move onto the next set. I switch to my 3rd set tomorrow and wear them 3 weeks at a time, so maybe I have the newer clear trays as well. I didn't know they had an improved version. Anyway, at age 48, I am thrilled to be going through this process and will do whatever it takes to see that it works. I will have to wear a retainer at night at least once a week for the rest of my life to prevent the teeth from reverting back, but that is a small price to pay for a terrific and long overdue great smile. Good luck with your treatment and let us know how things go.
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kimbob58
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posted 07-26-2005 12:34 PM
OrthoClear is a different brand of tray type aligners, not the newest Invisalign version. Invisalign has been around longer, although that's not necessarily saying too much because Invisalign has only been on the market since about 1998. This is a quote from the OrthoClear web site:"How does OrthoClear compare to Invisalign®?
OrthoClear and Invisalign® are both part of the invisible orthodontics category, so there are similarities between the two products and they are used to treat similar types of cases. However, one of the key difference between the two systems is the appearance of the OrthoClear aligner. OrthoClear aligners are smooth and have no ridges, making them more hygienic and very easy to clean." I too am feeling impatient to get my Invisalign process started. I had my impressions done five weeks ago and was supposed to get my aligners today, but my ortho office called and said they weren't in yet, so we've made a new appointment for next week. I guess I've waited this long to get braces (I'm 47), so I can wait another nine days, but the anticipation is killing me! I understand about the frustration of having to wait, but I've heard it always takes at least 4 weeks, and often as long as 8 weeks from impressions to aligners.
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Caren
unregistered
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posted 07-26-2005 01:10 PM
It took me six months to get the Invisalign (impressions made in December, again in March and received in June). My cost is $4200 in Alabama for nine trays and three buttons. I am beginning my fifth week with tray #1; I wore them for three weeks then a dental visit where he filed between teeth; now the same tray for two more weeks. My mouth has been full of sores and I have been miserable. The only good thing is I have lost four lbs. I am beginning to wonder if I will see any results with just nine trays.
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Eileen
unregistered
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posted 07-26-2005 02:01 PM
Thanks Peggy. Great advice. I cannot wait for the pain! That's right! It's never too late for anything. I am 27. I will also need to get another extraction up top but my Ortho said it can wait until i get the aligners in. I will be removing similar to what you describe only mine is the fish eye tooth. It is in front of other teeth. I am just taking it out b/c there is no place for it. I have had teeth pulled already but am soooo scared to pull this one b/c it is in the front and even though my teeth are crowded enough...missing something I've always had will definitely look entirely odd. That's the part I hate! I am soooooo soooo anxious. My brother tells me "you waited this long ... what is five measly weeks.." I don't know, it takes a lot out of you. The process is scary and going through the embarassment and the horror to know the outcome, the options I'd have...if any at all. So at this point waiting for my aligners..well it's too long away for that, I am waiting for my ortho to contact me so we can go over the process with the graphics of how my teeth will move and all. Did your Ortho do that with you or did you just wait 8 weeks? Thanks all! Have a great day! Thanks again for your reply...
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Nikki81480
unregistered
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posted 07-26-2005 03:31 PM
I just got my buttons on today and I'm not really a big fan of them. It could be much worse I'm sure and they probably aren't as noticeable as I think they are but I still don't like them. Can anyone tell me if they had to have the buttons for the full course of treatment or do you get rid of the buttons earlier than that. I have a total of 38 aligners (top teeth only) and the buttons started at aligner 3. Will it go all the way to aligner 38. Also, for anyone who has had them and they are now off - do your teeth look all right? Are there any markings to show that there was something there stuck to your teeth? On another note, in regards to the people who are wondering about how to clean the aligners, I brush mine with a regular toothbrush and toothpaste whenever I take them out to eat and then once a day or once every 2 days, I use efferdent denture cleaner and I think it works great.
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Christine
unregistered
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posted 07-26-2005 06:55 PM
Hi Eileen, I'm on my first set of Orthoclear trays (it's almost one week now). They took eight weeks to arrive at my ortho's office, and the wait was awful! I couldn't wait to start the treatment. My ortho was very excited about Orthoclear, even though his office heavily promotes Invisalign. Yes, the trays are very smooth (can't compare them to anything else, though). I've encountered all the side effects that everyone is having regarding the pain, dry mouth, needing to brush a lot more than I used to, etc. I've lost weight (2 lbs) in less than a week because it's a hassle to remove the trays to snack or have a soda. Maybe someone should add the tag line, "Straighten your teeth and lose weight!" to all invisible aligners.  Thanks to everyone else on the board for posting their comments. It's nice to know that there are others out there "suffering".
Cheers!
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HCA
unregistered
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posted 07-27-2005 02:38 PM
Okay...getting a little concerned. I've been very excited about my invisaligns - but I'm reading through these posts and haven't really seen anyone say they've finished and their teeth are as they were told they would be, in the amount of time they're supposed to be done. I'm set to be done two weeks before my wedding...is it possible they'll be a mess?
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ROBINCT
unregistered
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posted 07-28-2005 05:15 PM
Hi everyone!
It's been a few weeks since my last post. I am on my third Invisalign aligner and I must say things are going great! Each aligner has taken me exactly 3 days to get used to. After that 3-day movement, the teeth are exactly where they should be and "healing of the bone commences". Most of the time I don't even know they are in. Granted, I only have the bottoms in for now. I will receive my tops by mid-September. Since the each new aligner is a bit rough around the edges, I use fine-grain sandpaper to create a smoother aligner. As for coffee, I too am a coffee drinker. My orthodontist told me it was OK to drink it, provided it was luke warm, not scalding hot. The best thing about this whole process is that I too am noticing small changes. For example, I can actually see SPACE between two teeth that were once crowded. Upon my next visit to my ortho., I will get a bit more "shaving" done and I will receive my next set of aligners. YIPEE! Day by day, aligner by aligner, my teeth are beginning to "take shape!"
Until my next update, smiles to all!
P.S., My cleaning routine is going well. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful advice.
P.S.S. Thank GOD for this East Coast cool down. I was afraid my aligners were going to melt in all this heat!
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nmcurlygirl
unregistered
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posted 07-28-2005 07:18 PM
Robin you made the comment about your aligners melting in the heat. I went through Arizona on my way to mexico last week and left my aligner in my suitcase in the trunk. I wasn't badly mishapen, but my doctor had to do some filing because it had expanded and was cutting too much into my gumline. I didn't even think about the 120 degree heat and what that would do. I don't even wash them in warm water so I should know better. Just as a suggestion when travelling by car or plane, keep then with you in your carryon or purse.
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DawnT
unregistered
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posted 07-29-2005 06:08 PM
My husband is thinking of getting Invisalign. But like many others, he has questions.First, does anyone have bridges and/or crowns that caused a problem? His dentist indicates all will be ok despite having two bridges. Second, the eating/cleaning process. My husband and I both try to follow the pattern of eating many small meals throughout the day (for weight loss) rather than 3 larger meals. Sometimes he eats up to 4 of these meals/snacks at work per day and another two at home. Is it an absoulte necessity to brush your teeth after every snack? Any information is appreciated!
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jacob_sanders
unregistered
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posted 07-30-2005 12:52 PM
Unfortunately, it is absolutely necessary to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Otherwise you are trapping sugars and food particles tightly against your teeth.It does force you to change your lifestyle, which can be difficult. For example, I used to sip on a cup of coffee all morning at work, now I finish it in an hour or two and then clean my teeth. Even after several months, I am still annoyed by this, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
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ROBINCT
unregistered
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posted 07-30-2005 09:45 PM
In reply to DawnT's question regarding brushing after every meal/snack...in the best of all worlds, yes, it is important to brush after each snack/meal. However, for some it just is not possible in which case the very least one should do is to rinse their mouth and aligners out with water thoroughly. At the earliest convenience, you should brush both aligners and teeth. Though brushing frequently is important, flossing is even more important. Trapped food between teeth can be down right painful since the aligners are so formfitting. Also, do as another "Invisisaligner" does and rinse your mouth with aligners in with Listerine. This helps to cut down on the growth of bacteria. You will have to sacrifice some with Invisalign, but eating small meals rather than 3 large meals should not be one of those sacrifices. As long as you eat, rinse and/or brush within a 20-30 minute time frame all should be fine. Naturally, this is a big decision and you should consult with an Orthodontist who has been handling Invisalign cases for a while. His advice will cost money. Mine is free. Keep smiling!
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MNEP
unregistered
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posted 07-31-2005 08:13 PM
Hi all! Just came across this board because I am seriously contemplating getting Invisalign braces. I just have a few questions.1. About how long do you think the estimated wear time for me will be (I have about a 3.5-4 mm gap in my front teeth)? 2. Will any shaving need to be done if the only correction needed is to close a gap (vs. making room for other teeth)? 3. About how much will this cost based on what you think the estimated time I'll need to wear them for will be? (I live in MN). Thanks so much, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
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Fionna
unregistered
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posted 08-01-2005 11:19 AM
Hi All!It has been great reading everyone's posts! Thinking about Invisalign. My dentist says I have root damage from the braces i had when i was a teen. On toop of that my teeth have shifted inward causing my bottom teeth to knock into the back of my top teeth. Has anyone had this problem? My dentist says that invisalign is gentle and does not harm the roots of teeth.
And, once my teeth are straightened with invisalighn, my teeth will not hit each other. Thanks all!! Fionna
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Ann
unregistered
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posted 08-01-2005 07:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Stelle-belle:
I'm on my second set of aligners - week 2. I'm over in the UK and this treatment is costing me a bundle - £5000!! In fact the cost alone almost put me off. I get the usual tightness with the new aligners for the first couple of days then it's a piece of cake. The hardest thing for me is maintaining the discipline of cleaning teeth and aligners and putting them back in after dinner if I go out . What a hassle - especially if there's a toilet attendant in the loos. I must say that I usually succumb to the temptation of going home before going thru the oral hygiene and putting the aligners back in. I can already see slight improvements which make it so worthwhile. I'm really glad that I didn't go down the traditional braces route. Would have felt far too self concious to ever open my mouth.
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swag
unregistered
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posted 08-02-2005 02:58 PM
Will invisalign pull down teeth? What do the buttons do? Thanks
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Michelle
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posted 08-03-2005 12:05 AM
This board is great! I'm on Set 6 of 32 top aligners and Set 4 of 19 lower aligners (damn teeth just don't want to move!) and it's great to hear about everyone's experiences with them. I had the worst lisp when i started them, they were a little painful being so tight and i just wanted them out already but now i'm so used to them sometimes i have to double check i've put them back in! My treatment time should be approximately 15 months with Invisalign and cost AU$6500 which in US dollars is about $5000. I'm disliking them more as I go along though because they are actually creating a gap in my mouth for dental implants rather than closing one. I was born without the two teeth either side of my two prominent front teeth, however my dentist tells me in a few weeks he can fill the aligner with a white substance that will make it look like i have a tooth there while i'm wearing them. I'm counting the days til i get them off, i'm 3 months in, and 12 to go, i just can't wait for a perfect smile! Because my gaps are quite large, you can kind of see the top aligner while i'm wearing it but the bottom one is near impossible to tell. Being 21, fairly sociable and working in a customer service environment, invisalign was a great option for me and i'm so glad i actually went and did something about my smile even though i can't wait to get them off! Good luck to everyone with their invisalign and straighter teeth!!
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Mai
unregistered
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posted 08-03-2005 03:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by swag:
Will invisalign pull down teeth? What do the buttons do? Thanks
That's exactly what the buttons are for...to rotate teeth (which invisalign is not good at doing) and to move your teeth vertically. i have them all across the top AND back of my top teeth at the moment to pull my top row down, and i absolutely hate them. i'm sure they're not as noticeable as i think, but they're still big squares on my teeth that somewhat makes me look bucktoothed (people think it's a part of your teeth if they dont look too closely). rubbing your tongue against them feels like...rubbing tongue against concrete or bricks. it's jagged, rough, and does not feel hygienic at all...seems like they would trap bacteria. but who knows.
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Mai
unregistered
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posted 08-03-2005 03:06 PM
and oh yea...makes taking your trays off even harder. the trays cling onto the buttons for dear life, i swear. but u experiment and eventually learn the easiest ways to pop them in/out.
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chicagoan
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posted 08-04-2005 01:57 PM
Hi! Thanks to everyone for posting on this board, it's really helpful. I'm on day 4 of my first set of aligners (OrthoClear), but my lisp is still pretty bad. Please tell me it will go away. Also, will I have a lisp every time I put on new aligners, or is it just a nussance at the beginning of treatment? Are there things I can drink with my aligners on? I'm a huge fan of milk, will that be okay, or will I have to take them off? I'll even go for skim milk if I have to. I have a habit of taking my aligners off for long periods of time, so I end up having them in for 18ish hours. I don't want to lose weight and I snack a lot, and then it's just a hassle with all the hygeine. I have OrthoClear, so I wear mine for 3 wks anyways. Right now I just clean them with toothpaste and a toothbrush every time I put them on. Will this be effective for 3 wks, or should I start using vinegar? The air/spit bubbles are quite annoying, will they go away? Thanks for all your suggestions, I look forward to hearing from you soon!
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Mai
unregistered
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posted 08-04-2005 07:42 PM
Don't worry your lisp won't be permanent. At this point, the trays are still foreign objects to your mouth, it just needs some time to adjust. I think my 1st set took 1-2 weeks before I started speaking normally again.
As for subsequent trays, I generally do not find myself lisping again, but it does occur on some new trays. But it would last only 2 days or so.
When i got buttons placed on the front and back of my top teeth near the end of my treatment, however, the lisping was just as bad as my 1st set. And yes, it is embarrassing because most people don't realize you have an orthodontic appliance hiding in your mouth; they assume you have a speech impediment.I would not recommend drinking with your trays on due to hygiene and tray discoloration. I've been told that you can do this, but be sure to brush your teeth asap afterwards. Otherwise, sugar will surely be trapped in your trays and cause tooth decay. When I began treatment, I also cleaned my trays with a regular toothbrush, but quickly found buildup in my trays every night. So I switched to my Sonicare toothbrush, which does an exellent job at cleaning them thoroughly and quickly (I have the newer model with the smaller head). I also had the same fear about losing weight and not eating enough. It's true that you can't snack regularly, but I don't think I've lost any weight. The weird thing is I initially thought I was losing so much weight because everyone kept remarking on how skinny I've become. But my body weight has stayed the same...my face however has become much much skinnier, creating this false impression of weight loss. I don't understand why this is happening, and I would love to be able to reverse the process. It's as if the meat in my cheeks have simply thinned out, I hate it. Is the structure of my face changing, or maybe the muscles in my face? If anyone can provide an explanation, that would be great! quote:
Originally posted by chicagoan:
Hi! Thanks to everyone for posting on this board, it's really helpful. I'm on day 4 of my first set of aligners (OrthoClear), but my lisp is still pretty bad. Please tell me it will go away. Also, will I have a lisp every time I put on new aligners, or is it just a nussance at the beginning of treatment? Are there things I can drink with my aligners on? I'm a huge fan of milk, will that be okay, or will I have to take them off? I'll even go for skim milk if I have to. I have a habit of taking my aligners off for long periods of time, so I end up having them in for 18ish hours. I don't want to lose weight and I snack a lot, and then it's just a hassle with all the hygeine. I have OrthoClear, so I wear mine for 3 wks anyways. Right now I just clean them with toothpaste and a toothbrush every time I put them on. Will this be effective for 3 wks, or should I start using vinegar? The air/spit bubbles are quite annoying, will they go away? Thanks for all your suggestions, I look forward to hearing from you soon!
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caitlin
unregistered
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posted 08-04-2005 08:40 PM
what do i do when i get my braces tightened? no medicine helps me! email me back sweetie_pie917@hotmail.com
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LA
unregistered
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posted 08-05-2005 11:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Mai:
Don't worry your lisp won't be permanent. At this point, the trays are still foreign objects to your mouth, it just needs some time to adjust. I think my 1st set took 1-2 weeks before I started speaking normally again.
As for subsequent trays, I generally do not find myself lisping again, but it does occur on some new trays. But it would last only 2 days or so.
When i got buttons placed on the front and back of my top teeth near the end of my treatment, however, the lisping was just as bad as my 1st set. And yes, it is embarrassing because most people don't realize you have an orthodontic appliance hiding in your mouth; they assume you have a speech impediment.I would not recommend drinking with your trays on due to hygiene and tray discoloration. I've been told that you can do this, but be sure to brush your teeth asap afterwards. Otherwise, sugar will surely be trapped in your trays and cause tooth decay. When I began treatment, I also cleaned my trays with a regular toothbrush, but quickly found buildup in my trays every night. So I switched to my Sonicare toothbrush, which does an exellent job at cleaning them thoroughly and quickly (I have the newer model with the smaller head). I also had the same fear about losing weight and not eating enough. It's true that you can't snack regularly, but I don't think I've lost any weight. The weird thing is I initially thought I was losing so much weight because everyone kept remarking on how skinny I've become. But my body weight has stayed the same...my face however has become much much skinnier, creating this false impression of weight loss. I don't understand why this is happening, and I would love to be able to reverse the process. It's as if the meat in my cheeks have simply thinned out, I hate it. Is the structure of my face changing, or maybe the muscles in my face? If anyone can provide an explanation, that would be great!
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Mai
unregistered
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posted 08-05-2005 11:29 AM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by LA:
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Mai
unregistered
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posted 08-05-2005 11:31 AM
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Mai
unregistered
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posted 08-05-2005 05:40 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mai:
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invassuser+
unregistered
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posted 08-10-2005 02:49 PM
Tray 3 -Yesterday I had anchors put in and Spacers. My teeth hurt a little, but more if I take the alingners out! That tells me they are working! Also, yes, it is hard to get the aligners out - more so because of the anchors. However, you can say you are on the INVISALIGN DIET!!!! I find my self snacking a lot less.. hahahaahh. I love them so far!! As far as COFFEE Drinkers.... try a long straw, and pardon this part, DEEP THROAT the straw and rinse with water after each sip. That way you minimize the staining. Besides, they are only a two week tray, so staining shouldn't be too bad. Anyway, that is my $.02
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invassuser+
unregistered
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posted 08-10-2005 04:50 PM
Mai
YOUR FACE IS SKINNIER?? I would say that NO, your face is not changing due to any muscle deformation or anything like that.
If anything, I would say that you are losing weight, and the initial loss is Water Gain... thus seen first in places such as your face.
On another note, Cleaning the Trays:
I have found that using a Sonic Toothbrush works GREAT!! I use the SoniCare brush, and it was a good investment. Hope this helps!
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Tman
unregistered
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posted 08-11-2005 02:54 PM
I have had Invisalign for about 6 months now. After the first set of aligners, I got the bumps glued on 8 of my top teeth and 4 of the bottom. I was supposed to be on the last bottom aligner, but my teeth are not moving as anticipated (bottom hitting the top). The Ortho ground off all the bumps and took another impression. I am in limbo waiting for the plan from Invisalign. Some of the bad things about my experience have been the filing of my lower teeth. Once the Ortho even took his air Dremel with a cut-off wheel and ran that between my teeth. Also getting the glue bumps attached is not fun. The bump material is put in a form (special aligner) and put on you’re polished teeth. Then the air Dremel comes out and all the extra is ground off. The assistant apparently did not do a good job of polishing my teeth the first time and 3 bumps fell off the first week and had to be replaced. Another thing that sucked was loosing a set of aligners. The solution to this is to step up to the next set. I was on the first day of the set so the next set was kind of painful. So keep an eye on you’re aligners. I blamed the kids and my wife thought it was me. They were later found under a kid’s bed, where I do not spend much time. I also had problems with staining of my teeth. I am OK at brushing after drinking coffee but there were darker stains between my teeth and on the glue dots. I started drinking less coffee and brushing more. The stains stayed but did not get any worse. I just had my teeth cleaned and they used some water thingy that removed all the stains. I have had no problems with removing the aligners, even with 8 bumps on the top. They kind of snap on and off, but it does not require that much effort. Other then when I skipped a set of aligners, the pain has not been that bad. All in all I would recommend Invisalign. I had the metal braces in my youth and the ability to remove, and the invisibility of; the aligners outweigh the bad listed above. I sure hope the solution to my lower teeth being in the way is not metal braces and headgear.
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