My Invisalign Journey - United Kingdom

This is day 4 of my first week of using Invisalign. I thought it would be worthwhile documenting my journey as I have spent countless amount of hours over the last 4 months reseaching the Pro's and Con's and have really relied on others review to help make my decision in investing in Invisalign. I am a 34 year old professional female, and for as long as I can remember wished I had straight teeth!! I started my journey 4 months ago, when I went to visit my local ortho ( I saw that they had an invisalign open day). Luckily for me my Orth happened to be using invisalign as well, so I could really see just how invisible they were. After having my impressions done, I had four clin checks. My first clin check was 52 trays and having discussed with my Ortho he wasnt happy with what was presented, this was the case for the second and third clin checks. Finally the 4th one was the one we went with 28 trays. Its important to let you know that the trays are constructed by a computer and therefore its really important to sit down with your Orth to discuss the clin check and how the treatment plan will work - the first one is not always the most optimum solution ( I was lucky my Ortho is extremely good and whilst the procss took longer than normal, I was happy he was vetting the clin checks with his perfectionist eye). So I received my first trays this week - 8th July. The process was relatively quick and pain free. After reading many reviews I took some nurofen before hand, however noted later in the evening my mouth was quite tender The next morning my whole mouth ached, taking the trays hurt, brushing hurt, and putting the trays back in - were extremey painful. I noticed I had a lisp and the lower trays were rough and kept grinding into my gums - I have a feeling this is contributing to my lisp. The next 2-3 days were pretty much the same. I remember coming home to my husband in tears, teling him this was such a terrible choice and I couldnt bear the pain any longer. He told me to stick with it, give it a few more days, if it still hurt, then I should stop the treatment. Day 4 the pain is now subsiding, I have a slight lisp which I think is due to the sharp edges - I am going to see my Ortho tomorrow to see if he can file these down, taking the trays out dont hurt as much and I would even go to say that they I am almost forgetting that i have them in !. Lets see if this continues, fingers crossed

1 of 56 weeks done. I can now say that the pain of my very first aligners has almost completely disappeared. This process is now feeling manageable and I am feeling extremely positive about this journey. I was quite negative last week. I went to see my ortho a few days ago re the sharp edges. He was quite surprised by this ( no one has ever mentioned this before) however he was keen to feed this back to invisalign. He ' filed' down the sharp edges and my aligners are now comfortable to wear, my lisp has gone away now too! Yay ! In terms of visibility, I can honestly say that they really are. Most of my work colleagues didn't realise I had ' braces' . when i did tell them, they had to really look for them. The only give away was my lisp.... If anything I think everyone is in aw of the process and the technology behind it . I feel I may have inspired others to take the leap and start their own invisalign journey ......

So I am on tray 2. I have to admit that I was a bit worried about changing trays after the pain I felt from the first tray. I am pleased to report that tray 2 was virtually pain free. I popped them in and I didnt feel the tightness I did from tray 1. So far tray two has been going well. I am getting the hang of putting them in and taking them out in a few seconds, and I now dont need to be infront of the mirror.

I have noticed slight changes but nothing too drastic. From reviewing my clin check I think the majority of the changes will start half way through the process. I dont mind, I know they are doing their job. Over the last 3 weeks, I must admit my teeth are becomming extremely white. I have limited my tea/coffee intake and I am brushing 3-4 times a day. It has made a significant difference!. For those of you who are worried about invisalign being visible, my experience has been great. No one at work has noticed (three weeks into the treatment) , and my husband often asks me if I 'have them in'. I am so happy I didnt go for the traditional braces look.

So far so good, enjoying the experience and getting use to them. Lets see how tray 3 goes ! Wil keep you posted !! x