“Bad invisalign experience”
Invisalign: NOT worth it
Pain: Uncomfortable
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.
Jun 1, 2009Comments and replies (10)
10 Jun 2009
I am interested to know who your provider was. I am also in Richmond and am considering Invisalign.
6 posts
10 Jun 2009
What side of town do you live on?
12 posts
28 Jun 2009
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.
6 posts
29 Sep 2009
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!!
2 posts
1 Nov 2009
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!
2 posts
10 Nov 2009
Have a question for ab22 I was wondering what type of surgery you had? I believe I have receding gum in back after a night I put a new tray in, I thought I had gum disease or something. I plan on visiting the dentist this week, hopefully it is nothing serious.
2 posts
10 Nov 2009
Just wanted to ask ab22 a question about the receding lower gum, I believe I have the same thing after starting a new tray over night. The next day my gum in the back was seperated, I thought maybe I had gum disease or something but if you had the same thing it must be from invisalgn. What kind of surgery did you have to have?? I am planning on seeing a dentist this week:(
6 posts
11 Nov 2009
Jen- I had a gum graft performed. The periodontist took a slice from my palate and sutured it to my lower gum. I had the stitches on for 10 days and then they clipped them out. I hope you don't have to go through this procedure as mine was really uncomfortable because the palate had to heal without any bandages and that made it really difficult to eat.
6 posts
18 Nov 2009
To follow up, I just finished my first refinement set which consisted of 8 upper and lower trays. My bottom teeth were crowded due to my wisdom teeth erupting and not being removed earlier. I have one very crooked top tooth (in the front) that is rotated toward the front of my mouth and another crooked top tooth (on the side) that is smaller than the rest of my teeth and looks like it didn't grow in fully. I am happy with my bottom teeth as they are no longer compacted but I can't see any difference in my top teeth. My very crooked tooth is as crooked as the day I started this, it seems. I have an appointment today and hopefully will see my actual orthodontist and find out the next steps. I really don't want to get another refinement set done as it seemed that this one didn't do much but I've invested a significant amount of time, money, and energy into this process. Most people it seems don't have the "buttons" on their front teeth, but I do, so it's very obvious that I have these braces. I'm more self conscious than I was before and just want this to be over with!