Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

See All Reviews
See All Reviews
POSTED UNDER Invisalign Reviews

I'm 24 and have always been self-conscious about my smile. - Bad Invisalign Experience - Richmond, VA

ORIGINAL POST

I was very excited to get Invisalign but have been...

$5,000

I was very excited to get Invisalign but have been nothing but disappointed with my treatment. I don't know if I just picked a bad doctor but I'm still in treatment after a year and far from over.

I'm 24 and have always been self-conscious about my smile. I inquired about Invisalign with the orthodontist I found and he said I'd be a good candidate. It took several attempts at getting the impressions done right and I didn't actually start my treatment until 2 months after my first consultation.

I soon learned Invisalign is far from invisiable when they put the attachments on your front teeth (if those are teeth that need correcting). I was given 16 upper and 16 lower trays and told to wear them 3 weeks each.

This seemed odd as from what I've read, most people only wear them for 2 weeks at a time. I just went back 2 weeks ago at the end of my 16th tray and it was determined I should get refinements since I was displeased.

I don't think my upper teeth moved hardly at all because the trays apparently weren't seating right but no one caught that because I rarley saw the orthodontist himself, I was usually just examined quickly by a hygienist and handed my new sets.

The new impressions didn't work so I have to go back yet again and have them redone in order to get refinements. I wish I had just gotten metal or ceramic braces to start and been done wih the whole thing long ago.

ab22's provider

My doctor wasn't very helpful during the process and appeared inexperienced with the Invisalign treatment, even though he is supposedly a premier Invisalign provider.

Replies (14)

I am interested to know who your provider was. I am also in Richmond and am considering Invisalign.
What side of town do you live on?
Sadly, it seems your ortho is the problem. I ALWAYS see my dentist when I'm handed new trays. He always checks how the teeth are moving, he checks if I need filing or not to help the teeth move, he tests the trays on before he lets me go. You should request to be seen by your ortho, not hygienists. They are NOT trained for that.
As a follow up, I am currently on my first refinement set and am still not seeing results. One of my top front teeth is crooked and doesn't look like it's moved at all. I am on #5 of 8 and am not optimistic this will work. My ortho told me last time that if this refinement set doesn't work they can try another. It's been 1 year, 3 months and should be over with by now. In addition, my lower gums receded (something that should've been caught by the orthodontist but wasn't) and I was advised by my dentist at a cleaning to have it looked at. After an uncomfortable, painful surgery with a periodontist, my lower gums are back to normal. My advice is: BEWARE of who you choose for your treatment!!
This is similar to what happened to my friend, a couple of attachments were not put in the right place and consequently the teeth did not move the way they were supposed to. This wasn't caught because she rarely saw the dentist, just the assistant who gave her new trays. I guess it pays to really check out your provider and find out how involved (and experienced) that person will be. That's what I'm doing!
See More Invisalign Reviews
See All Reviews