“Invisalign is AMAZING - Do It Today!”

Please read me. I will convince you that Invisalign is the way forward.

I sucked my thumb as a child. In fact, I only stopped sucking my thumb at age 13 (I am now 22). My adult teeth were, as such, crooked and uneven. Although to my credit, my teeth did not (and still do not) have any fillings, due to my mother putting the fear of God into me as a child about brushing and oral hygiene. Every time I looked into a mirror I felt shame and unhappiness. If I could change one thing about me it would be my teeth.

The idea of traditional braces (which I was told would take 3 years, and involves tooth extractions) was absolutely not something I was willing to endure, despite my unhappiness. I had friends at school, and then university, who had traditional braces, but were left with gaps from extractions and various other problems due to traditional orthodontic work.

I saw an advertisement in a magazine for Invisalign and immediately looked into it. Fortunately my (amazing, by the way) dentist – and qualified orthodontist – said that I could be a candidate. He took moulds and photographs and sent them to America.

I read lots of online reviews about dentists not really being committed to treatment since they are the ‘middle man’ between Invisalign and the patient. DO NOT let this happen. Trust your dentist with your life, check out their qualifications, and absolutely get your money’s worth. My dentist sees me every two weeks for a checkup to see how I am getting on, and is constantly comparing my teeth to the plaster cast of my original teeth position. Some dentists that I have read about give you six trays in advance to ‘get on with’, and then see you in 3 months time. Don’t be fooled – your dentist should be aware of your progress at every tray change, to be sure your treatment plan is going in the right direction.

Invisalign has changed my life. I am only on tray four but already I can see a marked improvement in the alignment of my teeth. I have not had an extractions (only filing) and only mild pain when I get new trays. Although I am brushing three or four times a day (which can get annoying) there is no doubt that Invisalign is much better than traditional braces. I can floss and brush as normal, am much more aware and thoughtful of my oral health, and can continue life as I always have done – smiling and talking with not a thought that I am wearing a brace.

I have an attachment on one of my front teeth but if you need attachments too it is not something to be concerned about. They match the colour of the cement to your teeth extremely well, and it is really not noticeable.

What I have come to realise is that not everybody you meet actually looks at your teeth. Although I have spent years analysing people’s pearly whites, that is merely because I am massively conscious of my own! Remember this – look people in the eyes and be confident of who you are. They will notice this much more and completely forget about your mouth. Believe me! If I had put £1 in a tin every time I smiled and felt awful about it, every time I looked in the mirror and wished my teeth were different, every time I closed my mouth in photographs for fear of comments, then I would have paid my £3500 so many times over. Think of it like this and the money is no object.

Invisalign is wonderful. I can feel my teeth moving, I can see a marked difference – after only six weeks! – and I feel the most confident girl in the world when I am wearing them. Best of all, my friend who endured traditional braces for 4 years is insanely jealous!

Best investment ever. Your teeth are with you for life, you can’t say that about much else! 17 upper, 33 lower trays.