Invisalign: Stories

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BEWARE OF INVISALIGN!

  • Not Worth It
  • Cost: $6,400
  • Riverside, California

I hate everything about the invisalign. I speak...

I hate everything about the invisalign. I speak publicly on a daily basis and opted for the invisalign because I felt it would be less invasive. If I wear the invisalign, I stumble over my words. At least with regular braces, people would understand why my mouth was in such pain. I was not told about the scratchy buttons in advance. Nor was I told about the filing that would take place between my teeth. I was told that I would get used to the trays in a few weeks, but I am at twelve weeks, still in pain and see no relief in sight. My gums (which were as close to perfect as one can get) constantly feel like they are on fire. I am in so much pain that I cannot eat regularly so I am exhausted all the time. I must take prescription sleep aids to get any sleep and I take pain killers daily. I highly recommend against the invisalign.

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Comments (144)

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josealbert 25 Apr 2013
I went through the same "Hate" that you describe but now I only have about 5 weeks left and my teeth look great. About 8 months into my treatment I asked my ortho to change to metal and he talked me out of it. I barely left my house for 3 months because I was constantly slurring my words and they give bad breath so I was embarrassed to talk to anyone. Get through the pain and it will be ok.
Donny Brooklyn 16 Apr 2013

I'm on tray 8 and aside from some discomfort when putting in new trays I am LOVING my treatment. If you are in that much pain GO BACK TO YOUR DENTIST, SOMETHING IS WRONG. Orthodontics is going to be uncomfortable whether you do regular wire braces or Invisalign, but it shouldn't be that bad. Before you do one or the other check out a few different places. I found a great place and they have been wonderful.

Big Ray 2 Apr 2013
I got invisalign also, and it hurt sooooooo bad.
Anne856 27 Oct 2012
Something is wrong with your Invisalign or dentist. I am on third tray with none of the problems your describe. My tongue was uncomfortable first 4 days - then got used to it. I feel pressure first few hours for each new tray and a little tight taking them off-on first day or day of each new tray. I strongly suggest you get a second opinion from a reputable Invisalign orthodontist.
kittykat111 12 Jul 2012
how long was it before anyone started seeing a result?
glumglenn 26 Jun 2012
Negligence and greed.....
kittykat111 26 Jun 2012
oh..well good luck with the trial
glumglenn 25 Jun 2012
I am going to trial this week...suing the dentist who proposed Invisalign for me and resulted in loosing my teeth. BEWARE!
kittykat111 26 Jun 2012
oh no thats terrible, what caused that to that happen??
glumglenn 26 Jun 2012
Negligence....
Mickey M 24 Jun 2012
Kitty,
With the buttons, the trays are harder to get off. Without the buttons, I got used to pulling the trays off by grabbing the back of each one with a fingernail (at the last tooth, on the outside). Using the same method once the buttons were on, I split one of the trays because it wanted to hang onto the buttons on my front teeth. I learned to take them off by getting a fingernail under the tray at the last tooth and one under a the tray at a front tooth. It eventually became second nature and I could do it in one easy movement. Everybody's buttons are located differently, so just experiment until you find the way that's easiest for you. I tried the plastic tools that are made for this purpose without much success.

For cleaning, I used Retainer Brite (you can get it on Amazon) and once a week, instead of the Retainer Brite, I'd put 2 oz. of bleach in a 10 oz cup and fill with warm water. Soak the trays in either for 20 minutes and they're good to go. Be sure to rinse them after the bleaching if you go that way.
kittykat111 25 Jun 2012
mickey,
im bound to break them at some stage, which leads me to another question i didnt think about, if they do break are they just replaced or do you have to pay for them?
Mickey M 25 Jun 2012
Kitty,
I never broke mine. I merely tore the upper tray halfway through. I limped along with the torn tray for another week or 10 days because I knew I was going back to get my next set of trays. I don't know if you have to pay for a new set. The way I was set up after the first couple of sets was, I would be given the next 3 sets so I only had to go back in every 6 weeks. Under those circumstances, if you break a tray, then just go back to the previous tray as a spare. It will keep your teeth from moving too far back. I'm pretty sure that the trays are made by Invisalign, not your local dentist, so if you ordered a replacement tray, it would be at least a week before you'd get it. By that time, you'd be close to moving on to the next tray anyway.

The trays are pretty hard to break. Mine tore because I was trying to pull the back end loose and out while the tray was still hanging onto a button on my front tooth.
kittykat111 26 Jun 2012
cool thanks for your all your help :)
kittykat111 24 Jun 2012
mickey
thanks for the info, i wasnt actually told about the buttons until i got my set the other day! the doc said he has to weld them on didnt really think much of it untill i started to think about it, i have just googled images of them to see what they actually look like. not as bad as were my imagination was taking me!! but i can see that they will be a pain, so yes must keep in mind why i want to put myself through this tourture!!
Mickey M 22 Jun 2012
Kitty,
You can snack if you want. Take out the trays, snack, clean out as much of the food residue as possible with liquid, put the trays back in. Same thing with gum if you like to chew. I just finished my 10 month program. I'm glad I did it. You're not going to void the warranty (or effect) if you only have them in 19 hours any given day instead of 21 or whatever the current guideline is. It's a marathon, not a sprint. It takes a while to understand that. As for the pain, the first 2 days are the most painful with each new set of trays. It gets much better after the initial tooth movement each time.
kittykat111 24 Jun 2012
Thanks mickey! and the pain has gone now, just hurts a bit when i eat but thats ok i can handle that! :) going back to get my next set in 8 weeks, curious about the button things though and have not heard very good feedback about them.....
Mickey M 24 Jun 2012
Kitty,
I'm not sure how it works with everyone else. I got my buttons installed after wearing my first set for 2 weeks. The buttons are a major hassle, but it's the way the trays work, it makes sense mechanically, and it's still far less cumbersome than braces. The buttons make Invisalign uninvisible. It's also much harder to get the trays on and off. I had 8 above and 4 below. You will eventually get used to the buttons. Always keep in mind that it's temporary and always remember why you're doing this in the first place.

Another tip: nothing is ever perfect. You may get a set of trays in which you realize, after you leave the dentist's office, that the trays need to be trimmed slightly. The trays are made in molds, it's a manufacturing process, and sometimes the excess plastic doesn't get trimmed exactly right. Save yourself another trip back to the dentist by picking up a package of fine sandpaper at the hardware store and sanding down the offending section. One sheet will be more than enough for the duration of your treatment. The plastic sands well.
kittykat111 21 Jun 2012
hello all!! i got my invisalign today...am i in pain or what!! i was obviously expecting it to hurt at some point but not straight away..i mean i dont mind as long as its hurting for the right reasons and not moving my teeth in the opposite direction to what they should be ha ha!! other than that im talking normal and no one has noticed ive got it in yet...just disappointed i cant snack on crisps and chocolate when want (so get a diet with too it seems :) ), so oh well should have straight teeth and a slim figure by the time i get married, not bad at all! ...still open minded if the invialign is going to work or not but will be interesting to see the progress :)
Megan P (Community Manager) 21 Jun 2012

Like this positive outlook, "so oh well should have straight teeth and a slim figure by the time i get married, not bad at all!"

I bet you will be a gorgeous bride!! :)

kittykat111 24 Jun 2012
ha ha thanks! i will put a pic of me as a slim straight teethed bride as my profile pic next may so you ca see the results!! :D
Megan P (Community Manager) 24 Jun 2012

Oh my gosh, I would absolutely love that!!

kittykat111 25 Jun 2012
:) ok i will do!!
kittykat111 31 Mar 2013
I have now finished with the invisalign, i am very happy with the results. My dentist said he was suprised how straight they are. In the beggining he said that he didnt think they would work (because of the way my teeth were)and i would see better results with a metal brace, but i stood my ground and went with my instinct and it did work!! I get married in 5 weeks so will post a pic when i get one!! I am trying teeth whitening at the moment so see how i get on with that, really makng my teeth sensitive at the moment though....
glumglenn 26 Mar 2012
I warned everyone to check with an orthodontist and be aware of the risks prior to doing Invisalign....I will never be the same. Sorry for your misery.

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