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Author
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Topic: Invisalign Braces Cont'...How about a new thread?
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AnneC
Preferred Member
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posted 07-09-2007 02:38 PM
 
Maybe a new thread will make it a bit easier on the eyes...On my wee laptop screen, the s c r o l l i n g across because of the number of pages in that original thread makes the reading space kinda difficult. Might have been better to name it "Who's New to Invisalign?" I think I came in at about Page 21. Even so, almost all threads here since have been taken over exclusively by Invisalign users. Anyways - anybody wanna begin anew?
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TheresaM
Junior Member
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posted 07-09-2007 03:00 PM
Hi,After lurking on this board for almost a year, I finally joined. Thanks to everyone on this board, I've taken the plunge and I'm getting my 1st set of trays tomorrow! I did a lot of research and visited 2 dentists and 1 ortho before deciding upon a dentist who is a premiere provider. I feel prepared (as well as I can be, anyway) for this process. I'll be getting 22U (can't remember the lower - it's about the same). I'm 45 years old and have never had braces. My parents couldn't afford them so I had a retainer instead. It did an 'OK' job and most people are surprised when they find out I'm getting my teeth straightened, but I've always disliked my smile, so it's time to do something about it. I plan on living to a ripe old age, so I figure I'll have a great smile for the second 45 years of life! :-) I'm a bit nervous about a few things:
1. Taking the aligners in and out - I'm going to take everyone's advice and start the new trays after dinner to make it a bit easier (I hope). 2. Cutting - I have an extremely small mouth, so I won't be surprised if the aligners cause some problems. I'm not worried about the pain. I had some minor surgery 6 months ago and my doctor gave me a prescription for vicodin and extra-strength painreliever which I never used. It may come in handy now! I'll be sure to post often about my experiences. I'm sure I'll have lots of questions too. Theresa
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sdjd8401
Junior Member
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posted 07-09-2007 03:24 PM
Hello. I just got my first trays on Thursday. So far so good. The first few days were a nightmare. I did not want to take them out at all because eating hurt my teeth. They are still kind of sore today, 4 days later, but not as bad. I only have 1 attachment on one of my lower teeth and that's it. I have 10 upper and 10 lower trays so i should be done in about 5 months. I can't wait.
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marysusan
Junior Member
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posted 07-09-2007 05:54 PM
Ann- the scrolling was driving me nuts, thanks.
I'm new here too, Theresa and sdjd. Theresa it sounds like you really researched things well and made an informed decision- I like your attitude. I had some 'cutting' on the inside of my lower lip (got temporary canker sores from it) but it went away completely by the 3rd day. I didn't file anything down.
I feel kind of funny that my ortho says my treatment is 7 trays on top, 17 on bottom, since a year ago I went to a traditional ortho and he recommended 3 1/2 years in regular braces. We'll see how it goes. I mostly have one '****eyed' tooth on the bottom due to some shifting in the past few years- got tired of my 6 year old asking if I had a "loose tooth" ;-)
My first two days were awful too- had to psyche myself up to remove them for meals and it almost didn't seem worth it!
When I change to my 2nd set of aligners this Thursday, I'm planning on switching after dinner like a lot of people recommended, plus I will be drinking whey protein smoothies for a few meals the next day (with straw of course!) til I can get my nerves up to take them out.
After seeing a few nice blogs I'm going to save my 1st aligner to compare with my last, when all done.
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Teddy
Junior Member
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posted 07-09-2007 07:06 PM
I'm a newbie too - just got mine last Thursday...today was my first day at work wearing them, and I'm trying not to complain, but they really aren't that invisible on me - maybe because of my attachments?? They are on my canines. Plus I have a lisp and it's really embarrassing - since I'm in sales I need to talk a lot! When will the lisp go? Mine is pretty bad - one girl at work noticed already so I said I had a retainer in (why?? don't know). Today was not good - help invisaligners!! I need some encouragement here!!!!
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nj_guy
Junior Member
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posted 07-09-2007 09:42 PM
Hang in there....I'm finishing up my first tray now so I'm just barely getting started too -Surprisingly, people don't notice the lisp (even though to me I sound like I have a pathetic lisp...especially when I first put them in- I sound like a 5 year old) My biggest inconvenience is that i've had to make so many trips to the dentist because of buttons falling off that it's been a real nuisance. I'm going to see if I can get 2 or 3 sets of aligners per visit, once these buttons decide to stay on my teeth!
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alex
Junior Member
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posted 07-09-2007 10:30 PM
AnneC, thanks for starting anew. That scrolling was driving me crazy! It was like that scene with Chris Rock dialing the phone on Lethal Weapon 4. D-D-D-D-D-D... 4
D-D-D-D-D-D... 5
Ooops, missed a line. Gotta go back
D-D-D-D-D-D... 4 LOL Anyhow, I'm getting my first trays in about a month. Will join in all the fun then. 
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AnneC
Preferred Member
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posted 07-10-2007 07:59 AM
OK - so I wasn't the only one going mad from s c r o l l i n g -
my we are such a polite bunch at this forum!Welcome to all you new guys & gals -
hang in there. It is ALL worth it -
really! (& "alex" AL - left another comment on your blog in that Listerine thread - I think. And if you are not "AL", alex - well, nevermind!)
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jason
Junior Member
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posted 07-10-2007 11:27 AM
Hello all, thanks for making a new thread, the last was slightly overcrowded ;P I had my impressions taken last wedendsay so im looking forward to getting my clincheck back and getting started, im slightly nervous i must say but also excited to finally do something with my teeth  Nice to meet you all, i will keep you posted on the progress when i get started and ill post my blog address for anyone whos interested
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chashmish
Preferred Member
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posted 07-10-2007 11:39 AM
it's funny...now that I'm midway into treatment, I wonder why it took me so long to make that first appointment. I had been thinking about this for years! I could have been done by now...but oh well, next year at this time, I'm going to be so excited.
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-10-2007 12:14 PM
ARG....I am now in the middle of week three of my first tray. I can't move forward with tray two until my Ortho puts my attachments on. That would be all fine and well but he is booked SOLID for the next three weeks. That is 6 weeks with tray one. I am so frustrated. I had no idea how busy he was. Had I known I would have made this apt. months ago. 6 weeks on tray one. That just sucks. I have 20 uppers and 16 Lowers. My treatment is said to take 12 months. My Ortho starts his patients on 3 weeks per aligner. If the teeth co-operate then he moves you to two weeks... I waited 30 years to straighten my teeth. I guess whats another three weeks.
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Betsy
Preferred Member
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posted 07-10-2007 10:57 PM
Good idea and it is very appropriate that the new thread is started by you, Anne. You have provided us all with so much excellent information for well over a year now! quote:
Originally posted by AnneC:
Anyways - anybody wanna begin anew?
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Betsy
Preferred Member
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posted 07-10-2007 11:19 PM
My initial plan was 19 upper/16 lower then I decided on a refinement. I ran an experiment during my original plan. I did not tell anyone that I had invisalign until I was half way through. I wanted to see how many people noticed. I had 7 attachments but they were not on the very front teeth. The majority of people did not notice. A few people did, but they tended to be people who had recently had orthodontic work done (as adults). Naturally, such people thought that it was great that I was doing this for myself. I also found that I immediately started noticing the imperfections in other peoples' smiles. A lot of my friends could really use Invisalign (I hadn't noticed before). quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
I'm a newbie too - just got mine last Thursday...today was my first day at work wearing them, and I'm trying not to complain, but they really aren't that invisible on me - maybe because of my attachments??
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-11-2007 10:13 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
I'm a newbie too - just got mine last Thursday...today was my first day at work wearing them, and I'm trying not to complain, but they really aren't that invisible on me - maybe because of my attachments?? They are on my canines. Plus I have a lisp and it's really embarrassing - since I'm in sales I need to talk a lot! When will the lisp go? Mine is pretty bad - one girl at work noticed already so I said I had a retainer in (why?? don't know). Today was not good - help invisaligners!! I need some encouragement here!!!!
Hang in there Teddy. It does get better. I remember feeling like everyone would be able to see them and that I looked and sounded like an idiot. It takes getting used to but I promise you, you will start to forget they are even there and when that happens everything will fall into place. You wont feel like you are lisping and they wont be as noticeable . I went to a party a week ago and there were lots of pictures taken. I was so nervous I smiled with my mouth closed for most of them (which was so no like me)When i saw the pictures there were a bunch where I smle mouth open and i was so surprised at the fact that you couldn't see that i was wearing anything..... try it. take a few pictures of yourself at home. not close up of your teeth, but a picture at the distance that someone would be talking to you. You'll get an idea of what people see when they are talking to you.
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TheresaM
Junior Member
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posted 07-11-2007 11:55 AM
Hi,Well, I've had my first invisiligners in since yesterday at 5:00pm. I have to say that this has been really easy so far. I guess I was just soooo prepared for the worst that I'm really surprised that I've had no problems (yet). I have no pain whatsoever. I woke up in the middle of the night convinced that I must not have my aligners in correctly since there was no pressure or pain. But, when I took them out this morning, I could immediately feel a little pressure relief, so they must be working. Taking them in and out has been really easy. I have 8 attachments and I can tell that's where they stick, but it only takes a few seconds to get them out. It's really weird to eat with the attachments on. I kept checking last night to see if food was stuck to them. That's going to take a while to get used to. My biggest issue is breakfast. I always start with coffee (I had no idea how long it takes me to have my morning coffee until this morning!). I need to learn how to speed it up. I never eat breakfast until I get to work and I'm starving right now, but I don't feel like going through the hassle of removing my aligners. Hmmm, I just might finally lose that last 5 pounds I've been wanting to lose. So, I'm really happy right now. My husband had to get about 6 inches from my face just to see them. He couldn't believe how invisible they are! Theresa
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-11-2007 12:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by TheresaM:
Hi,Well, I've had my first invisiligners in since yesterday at 5:00pm. I have to say that this has been really easy so far. I guess I was just soooo prepared for the worst that I'm really surprised that I've had no problems (yet). I have no pain whatsoever. I woke up in the middle of the night convinced that I must not have my aligners in correctly since there was no pressure or pain. But, when I took them out this morning, I could immediately feel a little pressure relief, so they must be working. Taking them in and out has been really easy. I have 8 attachments and I can tell that's where they stick, but it only takes a few seconds to get them out. It's really weird to eat with the attachments on. I kept checking last night to see if food was stuck to them. That's going to take a while to get used to. My biggest issue is breakfast. I always start with coffee (I had no idea how long it takes me to have my morning coffee until this morning!). I need to learn how to speed it up. I never eat breakfast until I get to work and I'm starving right now, but I don't feel like going through the hassle of removing my aligners. Hmmm, I just might finally lose that last 5 pounds I've been wanting to lose. So, I'm really happy right now. My husband had to get about 6 inches from my face just to see them. He couldn't believe how invisible they are! Theresa
I was a long coffee drinker as well. I dont drink as much and when I do its with my breakfast instead of first thing in the morning. One thing I have started to do is drink fruit smoothies (Jamba Juice style). I get anything that doesn't have any berries (berries are more likely to stain the trays) and I drink it through a straw. When I am done I just pop out my trays and wash them down (and brush my teeth). That way I am getting my energy but not waisting minutes while I drink it slowly....
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sdjd8401
Junior Member
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posted 07-11-2007 01:23 PM
Has anyone had a hard time eating? I got my 1st set of trays last Thursday so it's almost been a week and my teeth are so sore when I try to bite down and eat something. Anyone else had this experience?
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piggy_pig
Preferred Member
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posted 07-11-2007 02:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sdjd8401:
Has anyone had a hard time eating? I got my 1st set of trays last Thursday so it's almost been a week and my teeth are so sore when I try to bite down and eat something. Anyone else had this experience?
My teeth were pretty sore (when biting into food) for about the first week. It gradually disappeared and now is gone (one day shy of 2 weeks).
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piggy_pig
Preferred Member
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posted 07-11-2007 02:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by sdjd8401:
Has anyone had a hard time eating? I got my 1st set of trays last Thursday so it's almost been a week and my teeth are so sore when I try to bite down and eat something. Anyone else had this experience?
My teeth were pretty sore (when biting into food) for about the first week. It gradually disappeared and now is gone (one day shy of 2 weeks).
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bracefacegirl
Junior Member
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posted 07-12-2007 02:04 PM
I am on Day Three of my invisalign treatment. Everything is going well. The first day was painful, but not i have a big sore in my inner upper lip where the aligner is cutting the skin.Does anyone know where I can get the ortho wax from? Do drugstores sell this stuff?
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Teddy
Junior Member
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posted 07-12-2007 06:28 PM
Well, thanks to NJ guy, Betsy and Pricey for the words of hope. One week in, and almost everyone at work notices on me! I think my lips do look like I had collagen injections a bit, and this lisp is crazy. However, on the bright side, I have resigned myself to just laughing about it, and just pretty much telling people. I only have 13u and 14L so about 7 months or so, and I'm jut going to deal with it and hope and pray this lisp dissipates like most people say it does. There were a few times this week (even this aft!) where I just thought forget it...and then I seriously clicked on this board and am now resolved to go through with this. It's the "th" and "s" that is bad for me - any ideas??? Thanks!
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AnneC
Preferred Member
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posted 07-12-2007 08:06 PM
sdjd8401 - just try to plan to eat softer foods when your teeth are feeling particularly sore. Biting into crusty rolls or raw carrots isn't good & depending on which teeth are being moved with each tray set, try to chew on the opposite side. You'll soon be able to pretty well tell which teeth are being moved each time.bracefacegirl - you can get that dental wax in any drug store. In preparation for starting my Invisalign, I'd stocked up on it when it went on sale after reading others found it helpful - ended up not even opening one pack 'cause I never needed it at all! Teddy - just read out loud & talk to yourself as much as you can. Your tongue will soon get used to the feel of your trays & will compensate for them. I couldn't even tell when mine (albeit a minimal one) disppeared exactly - just all of a sudden I noticed I wasn't doing it anymore. And as others have said - not many other people notice it at all - it just sounds so much worse in your own head. Sometimes you may notice it coming back occassionally when you change trays or your mouth is dry (drink lots of water!) or even when you're just tired. Awwww, Pricey - that is frustrating! Any chance you could get in if a cancellation comes up? Hey Betsy - I notice other's teeth ALL the time now & I see that lots of my friends could benefit from it too - LOTS!
AnneC
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Teddy
Junior Member
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posted 07-12-2007 08:19 PM
Thanks Anne. I sound like a horrible whiner I know! Or should I say I thound like a horrible whiner...LOL!!
I must say that I haven't had any of the other probs. like sore teeth or cuts or issues taking them in and out. And I am definitely glad that I've gotten started and at least I've got the dreaded Week One over with....plus I'm for sure losing a few pounds - never realized how much I snack during the day - especially chocolate - and I'm just not doing that anymore.
thanks again you guys - this board is sooooooo helpful.
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marysusan
Junior Member
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posted 07-13-2007 09:16 AM
Anyone else switch to tray #2 yesterday?? I know there are some who started around June 28th like I did. Somehow moving to that next tray seemed so momentous, like "progress is being made." lol. All I know is these #2 trays are extremely tight(worse than the first ones!) and I'm on a liquid diet for today. No, I'm not even taking them out to brush!! I have mouthwash handy though :-)
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-13-2007 09:20 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
Well, thanks to NJ guy, Betsy and Pricey for the words of hope. One week in, and almost everyone at work notices on me! I think my lips do look like I had collagen injections a bit, and this lisp is crazy. However, on the bright side, I have resigned myself to just laughing about it, and just pretty much telling people. I only have 13u and 14L so about 7 months or so, and I'm jut going to deal with it and hope and pray this lisp dissipates like most people say it does. There were a few times this week (even this aft!) where I just thought forget it...and then I seriously clicked on this board and am now resolved to go through with this. It's the "th" and "s" that is bad for me - any ideas??? Thanks!
7 months is nothing. You will be so thrilled when you are done. Hang in there. I find a lot of the time when people notice and ask what they are they end up wanting more information because they are thinking about doing it themselves... I have a few friends who have taken the plunge... Teddy - Your in Toronto right...
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TMG
Preferred Member
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posted 07-13-2007 09:39 AM
I had a co-worker ask what was in my mouth the other day after me having them in for 2 1/2 months...but I think others have noticed but just arent bold enough to ask. But I do also look at everyones teeth and I have my opinions on who needs them too...But I have told a few people after being paranoid that they may already know and I just laugh it off too...Also,What is dental wax?
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TheresaM
Junior Member
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posted 07-13-2007 01:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
Thanks Anne. I sound like a horrible whiner I know! Or should I say I thound like a horrible whiner...LOL!!
I must say that I haven't had any of the other probs. like sore teeth or cuts or issues taking them in and out. And I am definitely glad that I've gotten started and at least I've got the dreaded Week One over with....plus I'm for sure losing a few pounds - never realized how much I snack during the day - especially chocolate - and I'm just not doing that anymore.
thanks again you guys - this board is sooooooo helpful.
I don't think you're whining at all! This is a big adjustment for all of us and it's hard to commiserate with our family and friends because they don't know what we're going through. I've been really lucky since I have no lisp or soreness. I'm on day 3 and yesterday my mouth was really dry all day - very annoying! I think that I'll lose weight too - I just don't want to deal with taking these things in and out, so I've noticed that I wait longer to eat. I went out to lunch yesterday and didn't have a problem taking them out in the restroom, eating, then going back in the restroom to brush my teeth and put them back in. I'm just glad no one walked in. I felt really weird brushing my teeth in a public place. I've noticed a lot of people commenting that their 2nd tray is much tighter, so we'll see what happens. Theresa
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shawnna89
Preferred Member
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posted 07-13-2007 03:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by TMG:
I had a co-worker ask what was in my mouth the other day after me having them in for 2 1/2 months...but I think others have noticed but just arent bold enough to ask. But I do also look at everyones teeth and I have my opinions on who needs them too...But I have told a few people after being paranoid that they may already know and I just laugh it off too...Also,What is dental wax?
Dental wax is the wax orthos give to patients with braces to put over their brackets if they are cutting the patients lips up. I got some to put on the inside of my aligner because it was cutting my tongue, It works great.
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Teddy
Junior Member
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posted 07-13-2007 07:17 PM
Thanks Pricey and Theresa for your kind remarks. And ya Pricey I'm in Toronto. But the saga continues...went out for an after work beer with a colleague of mine (luckily a good friend) and the lisp was so bad, that we both ended up laughing our heads off to the point of being in tears about it. I told him I needed to wear these things for at least 6 months and he said "Jeez, even Paris Hilton only got 3 weeks" So I am sooooo envious of all you who do not have this weird lisp that I have!! And I'm seeing my boyfriend tonight for the first tinme since getting them (yes I've been avoiding him). Oy.
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piggy_pig
Preferred Member
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posted 07-13-2007 07:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by marysusan:
Anyone else switch to tray #2 yesterday?? I know there are some who started around June 28th like I did. Somehow moving to that next tray seemed so momentous, like "progress is being made." lol. All I know is these #2 trays are extremely tight(worse than the first ones!) and I'm on a liquid diet for today. No, I'm not even taking them out to brush!! I have mouthwash handy though :-)
I started the 28th, but unfortunately my ortho has me changing every 3 weeks instead of 2. I plan to see if he'll let me do 2 instead at my appt in August.
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-13-2007 10:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
Thanks Pricey and Theresa for your kind remarks. And ya Pricey I'm in Toronto. But the saga continues...went out for an after work beer with a colleague of mine (luckily a good friend) and the lisp was so bad, that we both ended up laughing our heads off to the point of being in tears about it. I told him I needed to wear these things for at least 6 months and he said "Jeez, even Paris Hilton only got 3 weeks" So I am sooooo envious of all you who do not have this weird lisp that I have!! And I'm seeing my boyfriend tonight for the first tinme since getting them (yes I've been avoiding him). Oy.
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-13-2007 10:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
Thanks Pricey and Theresa for your kind remarks. And ya Pricey I'm in Toronto. But the saga continues...went out for an after work beer with a colleague of mine (luckily a good friend) and the lisp was so bad, that we both ended up laughing our heads off to the point of being in tears about it. I told him I needed to wear these things for at least 6 months and he said "Jeez, even Paris Hilton only got 3 weeks" So I am sooooo envious of all you who do not have this weird lisp that I have!! And I'm seeing my boyfriend tonight for the first tinme since getting them (yes I've been avoiding him). Oy.
Teddy OY, We should play the geography. My husband doesn't even notice them half the time.... Although he has taken to call my plastic face, just cause he can.
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Teddy
Junior Member
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posted 07-14-2007 11:03 AM
All went well with the BF - he took great delight in teasing me, but did say he couldn't even see them so that is a plus!Pricey I live off the Danforth but work at Yonge/St Clair. You?
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Pricey102
Preferred Member
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posted 07-14-2007 06:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Teddy:
All went well with the BF - he took great delight in teasing me, but did say he couldn't even see them so that is a plus!Pricey I live off the Danforth but work at Yonge/St Clair. You?
Thats great the the BF was understanding. He's a keeper. Live in the Avenue Rd/Lawrence area. Work in Markham - Yuk
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chashmish
Preferred Member
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posted 07-15-2007 12:12 AM
Wow, I just realized that I am just about 30% through treatment! Seems like the time is flying by since I just started in February. Granted, I won't be done until about this time next year...but at least there's progress.I already know I'm going to need refinements though. One of my teeth is being really stubborn. 
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