|
Author
|
Topic: Invisalign Braces Cont'...How about a new thread?
|
piggy_pig
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-01-2007 09:16 AM
 
quote:
Originally posted by soozj:
I'm still so conscious of it being in my mouth, I hope this goes away, I can't imagine having it in for 8 months at the moment. If it works it'll be worth it, but I'm worried I'll spend all this time and money and it won't work!
I felt the exact same way. I had a pretty easy transition into wearing the aligners, but for a solid week I wondered how I was going to go for a year with these things in my mouth. I was VERY aware of them being there. It does go away! I'm still aware that they are in, but it isn't the constant nagging thought that it was at first.
. |
Jon
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-01-2007 12:09 PM
Well, I went for my first visit to the ortho today since I started Invisalign. I'm on trays 4/10 for both top and bottom. This set of trays does not hurt at all. They are very tight but as far as pain goes I don't have any. I snuck a peek at my 10th and final set of trays to view the final result and they look great. I also was able to view my ClinCheck for the first time and am getting very anxious and excited to get to the end. I should be done by early November!
. |
arch712
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-01-2007 02:10 PM
Just got my Impressions done this afternoon and $2,500 poorer. Now I just have to wait for them to come back from Invisalign. I ask if I could see my clincheck before they send it back for my trays. I'm glad I did because they weren't going to show me it.
. |
Pricey102
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-01-2007 04:48 PM
so i asked my ortho if i could get a copy of my clincheck and he said all you do is go to www.invisalign.com click on I am a Patient and follow the prompts. You will need you patient I.D. - which are the series of numbers writen on each set of alligners...
. |
soozj
Junior Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 12:16 AM
I'll have to speak to my dentist about a retainer in that case. He never mentioned that I'd need one, I hope they're not too expensive as I don't think it's included in the cost of my treatment.I paid $5500 for the invisalign, but it includes extra trays if I need them. (Hopefully I won't!) I went to an orthodontist first, and he quoted me $12500! I've never heard anyone paying that much, i think he was trying to take me for a ride. So I wasn't going to bother, then I spoke to my dentist and he said he could do it. I'm a bit worried that a dentist isn't as experienced but I figure invisalign create the treatment plan for you, the length of it, etc. so I didn't think it'd make much of a difference.
. |
oksylvi
Junior Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 12:36 AM
I have not been able to figure out how to see my clincheck on the website. It says my aligner # is invalid, and i only see how to get $$ for referring someone to Invisalign.
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 01:33 AM
quote:
Originally posted by soozj:
I'll have to speak to my dentist about a retainer in that case. He never mentioned that I'd need one, I hope they're not too expensive as I don't think it's included in the cost of my treatment.
The cost of retainers varies between doctors and for the different types. My doctor charges $295 for each invisalign clear retainer (need two of them) but others have reported being charged far less and others bundle them in with the total cost. You could have them made by another doctor at the end if they use a dental lab made type, they just make new impressions and send them to a lab. So you could "shop around"
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 01:54 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Pricey102:
so i asked my ortho if i could get a copy of my clincheck and he said all you do is go to www.invisalign.com click on I am a Patient and follow the prompts. You will need you patient I.D. - which are the series of numbers writen on each set of alligners...
That site doesn't provide clinichecks, they are only available with your doctor's computer. They can export AVI video files consisting of a frame per aligner image for a specific view angle however and email that to you from your doctor's office. I got 3 different view AVI files, each are about 2MB in size. The website accepted my Patient ID# listed on the individual aligner packages,then you have enter correct info for several things like Last name, doctor name, etc from a drop down list. If you get them right then you get a page where you can enter all your personal info. But then all there is available is things like referrals, and "redeem supercertificate" - nothing really informative at all, its more for special offers it appears.
. |
KK
Junior Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 05:45 AM
i just visited the website and clicked on im a patient link but it takes me to a page of information and no login page or anything?
. |
Geena
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 07:53 AM
Just thought I would share that I just got a call that my refinement trays are in. It took only 21 days from my appointment to the office receiving them. Not a bad turnaround time.
. |
chris8796
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 07:55 AM
Get your clinichecks from your ortho. I will say the new version of the software (2.5, I believe) makes very large files. The default setting is like 1 MB per frame now. I would recommend you take a usb drive the next time you go, rather than trying to email it. You could ask to see it and after your done looking whip out your usb drive. The "save as avi" use to be on the lefthand as a drop down menu. On the latest version of the software its a drop down menu on the top of the screen. I think under "utilities".
. |
Ceramica
Junior Member
|
posted 08-02-2007 10:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by TheresaM
Hi Theresa
I'm now on my 4th day and am beginning to get sore gums. The trays are VERY sharp. I dont have a problem getting them out -well especially the bottoms ones but I feel very low about them today and wonder if I've done the thing in getting them. I also found myself sucking on them. It's horrible - like an old person sucking on their false teeth. I have to make a conscious effort to stop. I also find talking difficult today although I didn't the first 3 days. Tomorrow I'm going out to the pub for a meal so I'll see how that goes!!You seem to be doing great! Gill [/B]
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-04-2007 06:10 AM
Hallo,
I'm on tray 5 out of 10/13 upper/lower. So far everything is going according to plan. I started noticing changes already in tray 3 which is quite early. My problem was one very producing front tooth (the very front). If I hadn't felt so very awkward about it, I would never have started in the first place. I just wanted not to feel so self concious with my smile.I have to say there have been no problems with the treatment, the trays are doing their thing for the first 3-4 days of having them in, and the rest of the time the teeth are healing in their new position. My tooth situation has really improved, and I'm just surprised I am not as excited about it as I thought I would have been. In fact, I can't wait till that thing is over and done with. I am thinking of quitting ahead of time, because right now I'm quite satisfied with the results already and would like to get on with my life. The only problem is that right now the upper and lower teeth don't match any more and I'm told this would only be fixed by the end of the treatment. Damn. Another thing that is bothering me is some discolorization in some teeth. My dentist say it's because of the movement - the tooth surface is changing. I haven't quite understood what it had to do with the tooth color, I just hope it's not permanent. Has anyone else experienced the same problem?
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-04-2007 06:21 AM
quote:
Originally posted by soozj:
I only have to wear them for 8 months and I'm hoping it doesn't go longer, because I'm so conscious of them in my mouth! I have one on the top and one on the bottom.
I've noticed people mentioning that they brush their teeth after they eat a meal, before they put their invisalign back in. My dentist didn't mention I needed to do this. Is there a reason why I'd need to? I just brush them in the morning and night as usual, after breakfast and dinner, but not lunch.I was told not to drink anything with them in except for clear liquids which won't stain. I suppose this means white wine is ok, as thats all I drink when I go out?
I feel for you because I'm also the only one I know doing this (I'm in Austria) and also 29. About the brushing issue - my dentist hasn't given me any instructions about it, but I believe that in the instruction paper you get from invisalign company itself, it's mentioned. Not that I bothered reading it that closely, I felt I had all the information I needed from this board.If you think of it - it is rather logical why you would like to have your teeth as clean as possible before popping the aligners in. The food remains would get 'attached' to your teeth, pressed by the aligners. That should make the germs have a field day over your teeth. Besides, unclean teeth would stain the trays and so they would lose the invisibility affect your paying so much money for.
. |
soozj
Junior Member
|
posted 08-05-2007 09:33 PM
Hmmm, maybe my dentist has bundled the retainer in with the cost. It seems wierd that he hasn't mentioned it, I'll definitely bring it up with him in my next visit.Jil...thanks for the advice re brushing. Yes it's tough when nobody you know has had aligners before, people in Australia have never even heard of them. I was taking them out in the bathroom of a restaurant last night and this girl in there gave me the funniest look!
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-06-2007 01:28 AM
My dentist hasn't mentioned extra cost of retainer either. I just assumed it's part of the package. For the amount of money I'm paying, it better be.My dentist is one of 2-3 dentists that use invisalign in Austria. Lucky for me, his practice is a only few meters away from where I live. I feel OK with (almost) nobody knowing I'm wearing them. I never mentioned them at work, but a few people already noticed I'm brushing my teeth regularly in the toilets. There's probably some speculation going. I don't mind that much. I was for a week away abroad on a business trip with some colleagues from a different office. That was rather hard to keep the routine of brushing after every meal and not eating in between, with 4 other people I don't really know around me 24/7. Sometimes I just couldn't make it to the toilets before a meal, and I had to take the trays out on public. I just hope nobody had noticed.
. |
Pricey102
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-07-2007 05:27 PM
Ok so after 7 weeks in tray 1 I have finally moved onto tray 2. Its been 10 minutes. Ouch. I think I forgot what it was like those frist few days. Its night time. I am going to sleep on it. Hey no pain no gain right!
. |
goducks
Junior Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 09:14 AM
I'm on day four of this and so far I am unsure. Primarily I am wishing I had done a little more research beforehand. I have 16 upper/7 lower which seemed a piece a cake a week ago but feels like a prison sentence at the moment.My dentist (who is great) saw the initial lab results and asked for adjustments that moved the upper from 12 to 16 so I am hopefull that little (or no) tweaking will be needed at the end. Time will tell. Right now my gut feeling is that I should have gone the traditional route due to the lack of morning coffee/snacking freedom, impact on speech, and the fact that I am pretty distracted by having them in. The bottom aligner in particular seems to get in the way of my tongue and store saliva for it's own amusement. I also did not realize that I'd be wearing retainers for some longer period of time during the day and then even longer at night.
They are less obvious than traditional braces but with the attachments (and spit production) the difference is not as significant as I thought. Only have two buttons but they sure like to hold on for dear life to the top aligner when taking them out. Pain has been fine and manageable.
A couple of questions for the experts: I've seen some say 22-24 hours per day and others say 20-22 hours per day. I'm guessing that 22-24 is what they tell you with the understanding that 20 hours is the true bare minimum. Any thoughts on that? Also, will I still notice them as much in a week or two? Will I still be producing saliva at a record rate down the line?
. |
kimchula
Junior Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 10:25 AM
Goducks....good luck.I am on my last few days of the 1st alignter. I get to put in #2 on Monday... It'sgetting easier the last few days. I have more of a problem w/ dry mouth at night... I wake up with the trays practically super glued to the inside of me cheeks. And trying to stay hydrated at night has it's down sides...you know what happnes when you drink water before bed, and then agian when you wake up and then agian and again. But Im getting used to them being in my mouth when I couldn't stand it before. I don't see how one could wear the trays for 24 hours a day...how would you eat! I think it' would be unreasonable to expect someone to wear them more than 22 hours a day...I have been averaging 20-21....I take my time when I eat.
. |
goducks
Junior Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 11:04 AM
Thanks kimchula....I probably just needed to rant a bit. If the first set is any indication it seems like they move a lot during the first 24-48 hours and then spend the rest of the time healing. By my logic (or justification) wearing them 21 hours or so in the subsequent days should be sufficient to prevent them from settling backwards. That's my plan at least. If I am going to have this as part of my life for the months ahead I'd like to settle into a pattern where I can relax as normal and have a glass of wine or beer in the evening without a rush to drink it quickly. I have a similar issue with dry mouth in the morning. The only positive is I have less of a lisp when dry like that. Still not a great feeling though I agree. For some reason the speech issues seem more apparent when I talk on the phone.
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 12:59 PM
goducks, you are correct the tooth movements per aligner occur in the first 2-3 days typically and the rest of the typical 2 week period is to hold the teeth in the new position while the roots heal.
22hrs/day is the typical recommended wear time, its most important during the first few days of a new aligner for the tooth movement and I think its OK to reduce a bit during the second week of wear by an hour or two if needed. The first week or two of invisaling is the toughest of the whole process. Believe me we have all been there and have second thoughts during that time. But stick it out, it gets a lot easier and the early issues like lisping, etc. reduce or go away eventually. Its amazing how quickly you can get used to the aligners and don't even notice them after a few weeks or months. Invisalign has worked great for me for the past year and I'm happy I stuck it out, my teeth moved exactly like the clinicheck showed they would. I'm on a small refinement now, that I requested myself just to close some tiny gaps that aren't really notieable except when flossing. After a year, I didn't mind a few more months to get it as close to perfect as possible, since thats the only time you could get fine tuning done with no extra charge! Braces have other issues and many report are far more painful and have bigger restrictions as to what you can eat or drink, remember they can't be removed at all. I found invisalign the best method for my situation. You just have to learn the tricks and tips early on, how to remove them easily, keep them clean, drink plenty of water, etc. and soon the time goes by quicker and you end up with straight teeth!
. |
kimchula
Junior Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 03:18 PM
I agree the speach issue is wierd. I feel rediculous on the phone sometimes...I work at an office and talk to clients all day and some words I just can't manage to say correctly! and I feel so embarrassed. My little sister has a natural lisp she's trying to overcome...I can understand her frustration now! My bf made a bit of a joke of my speech the other day...it was just out of fun and jokes but it hurt my feelings a bit. He said sorry and that he thought my lisp was cute. haha. I only have 19 uppers, so only 5 -6 months of the speech problem I guess. I don't think it will totally go away until it's gone. I do have an astounding 38 lowers...which is ok...I don't even show my bottom teeth at all when I talk or smile. My own family hadn't even noticed how crooked my lower teeth were until I pulled my lip down to show them...I think everyone had to keep from gasping...they are pretty bad. But I will be happy when the top is done and more patience for the bottom. I have a friend who is just finishing. She is a little unhappy with one of her laterals, it seems to be a little out of alignment compared to the rest of her teeth. It's slight but I can understand how it bothers her. She's on her last tray so she is going to ask for refinement.
. |
goducks
Junior Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 04:11 PM
Badboy...thanks for the advice. I'm going to stick it out and to be fair it has gone from "what have I got myself into" to "this is kind of annoying" which is actually an improvement. I've also had a couple short stretches for the first time today where I forgot about them which I'm hoping will become more and more frequent. Finally, I looked ahead to try and stay postive and noticed that even by aligner #3 my main two problem teeth are already on their way.
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 04:27 PM
Regarding the speech issues, that too should improve as your mouth gradually gets use to speaking with the aligners. You can help that process along by practicing enuciating in private too, your tongue and lips just have to get used to it all.
But it does improve and also remember we are more conscious of all these things than others are, we are our own worst critics.These are all the typical starter invisalign issues, that months later you may laugh about it and wonder what it was all to be concerned about as you get to admire your straighter teeth in the mirror!
. |
johio
Junior Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 04:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by goducks:
Thanks kimchula....I probably just needed to rant a bit. If the first set is any indication it seems like they move a lot during the first 24-48 hours and then spend the rest of the time healing. By my logic (or justification) wearing them 21 hours or so in the subsequent days should be sufficient to prevent them from settling backwards. That's my plan at least. If I am going to have this as part of my life for the months ahead I'd like to settle into a pattern where I can relax as normal and have a glass of wine or beer in the evening without a rush to drink it quickly. I have a similar issue with dry mouth in the morning. The only positive is I have less of a lisp when dry like that. Still not a great feeling though I agree. For some reason the speech issues seem more apparent when I talk on the phone.
I needed to rant when I first got mine also. I'm on my second set of trays now and came to the same conclusion. If I'm going to stick with it I need to find a way to settle into an acceptable pattern that fits into my lifestyle.
. |
Pricey102
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-09-2007 07:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by johio:
I needed to rant when I first got mine also. I'm on my second set of trays now and came to the same conclusion. If I'm going to stick with it I need to find a way to settle into an acceptable pattern that fits into my lifestyle.
Im with you guys. I am on day 4 of tray 2. Im getting used to these new cuts in my mouth from these trays. But as far as tooth sorness. I am on the right track. For me its the slow morning coffee that has had to be cut short a little... good luck to us all!
. |
soozj
Junior Member
|
posted 08-10-2007 12:09 AM
I checked an invisalign information sheet I got given to me by my dentist and it said to wear the aligners 20 - 22 hours a day. This is what my dentist said as well. I've been averaging about 20 hours. Wearing them for more than 22 hours would be near impossible for most people I'd think, especially if you eat your standard 3 meals a day and brush and floss regularly. I'm also a bit naughty and drink with the aligners in when I go out (vodka, soda and fresh lime through a straw), but I'd rather have them in when I'm drinking, instead of out for extended periods of time.A few people have mentioned that they have a lisp because of the aligners. I had a terrible lisp in the first few days but it's definitely improved. I think I notice it more than other people do. I go in for my second tray on Monday. This first one has gotten much softer and sort of rubbery (yuk!) And my teeth have got real sensitive over the past few days for some reason, I had to buy some Sensodyne toothpaste. Also I find that it feels strange to eat now. Because my bite is in a different place with the aligners in compared to when they're out, I find it difficult to chew on food. Problems, problems... Oh well, it'll be worth it once I start seeing results. Last week I saw a friend and she was really interested in my invisalign so I was explaining to her how it all works. She said 'Yeah, i can see your teeth are already getting straigher'. I'm like, 'Um, it's been six days...' (I think she was just trying to be nice!)
. |
kimchula
Junior Member
|
posted 08-10-2007 12:11 PM
I don't think your tray should be soft and rubbery? what are you using to clean it? I have just been brushing mine really good and maybe a few seconds in some hydrogen peroxide..a couple times a week. But mine still feel as firm as the day I put them in.If you are doing something that might be making them rubbery you might want to figure out what that is, since it could affect your treatment.
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-11-2007 03:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by kimchula:
I don't think your tray should be soft and rubbery? what are you using to clean it? I have just been brushing mine really good and maybe a few seconds in some hydrogen peroxide..a couple times a week. But mine still feel as firm as the day I put them in.If you are doing something that might be making them rubbery you might want to figure out what that is, since it could affect your treatment.
My first trays also felt rubbery in the last 2-3 days. In the last day one of them actually cracked. I was glad to get rid of them. I don't know if them feeling that soft had to do with the cracking, but after that had happened, I stopped using mouth wash that often. I never got that rubbery feeling again, though the trays get a lot softer on the second week. As for cleaning, till now, I have never used anything but tooth paste and tooth brush on them. I managed to keep them reasonably clean, but it's hard work. The brand names mentioned here for dental cleaners are American and I can not get them here. I tried a local one on old trays once and it did absolutely nothing at all. Anyone can tell me where I can hydrogen peroxide?
. |
BadBoy
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-11-2007 03:40 PM
Check at stores for regular denture cleaning tablets under various brand names, most of those should work well.Also some have just used a few drops of regular liquid bleach (like Clorox) in a cup of water to soak the aligners in for 15-30min each day. Many of the denture tablets consist of a bleaching agent so its probably a similar effect. Hydrogent Peroxide is sold in bottles at most drug stores in the same area they have bottles of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
. |
lilypad
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-12-2007 12:02 AM
I really dont know what you people are doing to have such a hard time keeping the aligners clean. I think the secret is to rinse them under running water as soon as you take them out. That way the saliva doesnt have a chance to harden on them. If you brush and floss each time after you eat, rinse well, brush the aligner lightly with toothpaste and rinse them well before you put them in, just what IS there to build up on them????
. |
scorpetteFL
Junior Member
|
posted 08-12-2007 05:00 AM
I agree, Lilypad. I rinse mine every time I take them out - or, if it's not convenient, before I put them back in. Sometimes that's not convenient either and I've got to put them back in all disgusting, so I make sure I swish water around. Anyway I've never had to use anything but toothpaste and a good brushing on them once a day.
. |
soozj
Junior Member
|
posted 08-12-2007 08:41 PM
I clean my aligners with a firm toothbrush and whitening toothpaste, twice a day. I always rinse them under warm water when I take them out as well, and drink lots of water. I tried a denture cleansing table (which said it was suitable for orthodontic braces) but it had a blue dye in it, and when I took the aligners out they had a slight blue tinge to them, so I had to scrub like mad to get rid of it.
The aligners look very clean when I use toothpaste, it just takes a lot of scrubbing to get them this way.
Not sure why my aligners feel soft and rubbery...I'm seeing my dentist tonight to get my second pair so I'll get him to examine them.
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-13-2007 02:31 AM
quote:
Originally posted by soozj:
I clean my aligners with a firm toothbrush and whitening toothpaste, twice a day. I always rinse them under warm water when I take them out as well, and drink lots of water. I tried a denture cleansing table (which said it was suitable for orthodontic braces) but it had a blue dye in it, and when I took the aligners out they had a slight blue tinge to them, so I had to scrub like mad to get rid of it.
The aligners look very clean when I use toothpaste, it just takes a lot of scrubbing to get them this way.
Not sure why my aligners feel soft and rubbery...I'm seeing my dentist tonight to get my second pair so I'll get him to examine them.
Maybe they feel like that because of the cleansing tables you used. That's why I'm so apprehensive about using them. You can not tell what the chemicals are doing to the plastic. I'd like to check a second brand of those tablets myself, but on a pair of trays I'm not using anymore. Since my dentist collects all my old trays (don't know why), I would have to wait till I'm done with my current ones and before the next appointment. lilypad, your mouth will never be a sterile surrounding, no matter how often you brush and floss. Just think of all the germs living there. Of course after a few days of wearing the trays some residue will collect itself on the plastic. Brushing with toothpaste helps, but sometimes it really takes a lot of scrubbing to get everything out. I would like to have something to use to neutralize the germs and ease the scrubbing, at least once or twice a week.
. |
jil
Preferred Member
|
posted 08-13-2007 02:36 AM
quote:
Originally posted by BadBoy:
Check at stores for regular denture cleaning tablets under various brand names, most of those should work well.Also some have just used a few drops of regular liquid bleach (like Clorox) in a cup of water to soak the aligners in for 15-30min each day. Many of the denture tablets consist of a bleaching agent so its probably a similar effect. Hydrogent Peroxide is sold in bottles at most drug stores in the same area they have bottles of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Thanks. I will run another round of tests when I'm done with my current trays. I've discovered that the very small tooth brushes (meant for hard to reach areas) work very well in getting the smallest, most annoying, stains off the plastic.
. |
