Results Are Good So Far...

I am 27 years old and got my traditional braces off 11 years ago. I wore my retainers up to four years ago when the top one broke and my orthodontist was no longer in business (so my patient history- gone!). I did not want to start over so I just let it go. I have had a slight relapse with my top front tooth turning out. Not bad but bothersome to me.

I have researched Invisalign and decided to try it. Like I said my teeth weren't too bad and some people though I was crazy but it bothered me. I went to my first consultation in July and was consulted a rate of $5000 and recoiled. Maybe I did not want this as much as I thought. The provider had a flat fee for everyone regardless of severity, so I did not go back.

I saw an add for a Premier Provider that was more in my price range and went for a consultation. That same day I shelled out the money and got my molds taken. Less than three weeks and I was in my first aligners. Premier providers I found out are cheaper and require less time for the molds to be made so I am glad I went that route. I have had my first trays in for four days now. I also have eight attachments which not only help to grip the aligners but to move teeth down or turn them.

I experienced mild discomfort the first day and almost debated eating when it came time to take the aligners off. It hurt so much I thought I was going to cry like a baby, especially where the attachments are. I thought that the pain shouldn't be that bad! Putting them on also hurts because of the pressure and tightness (especially at the attachments).

The pain and pressure is lessening as I wear them making it easier to take them out and put them in. The aligners feel weird in my mouth and I have a sore under my top lip from the edge rubbing. Eating is a bit of a chore because I have to excuse myself to go to the bathroom before a meal to take them off and rinse them, don't want everyone to watch my drool show. Then I have to go to the bathroom again after to brush, floss, and brush my aligners before reinserting them. At home this isn't a problem but out with friends or at work it is a bit of a nuisance. I am also very aware that they are there but I heard that goes away with time.

Chapstick or lip balm is also a must because my mouth (inside and out) feels so dry and I am getting chapped lips as a result. So on to the good stuff. Less eating equals less snacking, which is a plus in my book. I am drinking more water and less sugary drinks. My teeth also look straighter. The attachments are clear so they are hardly noticeable and my speech is almost normal again. I have only gotten comments on my initial speech impediment and only from two people. So either many others did not notice them or did not say anything. I only have eight trays for top and bottom so four months of this is not too bad.