Invisalign: Stories

My cost above is after insurance coverage pmts, so those are out of pocket expenses only and after pre-tax savings. In total it comes out to $5,300.

I got invisalign after already having braces when I was 11-12 years old. I had buck teeth and an over bite. I did not get a permanent retainer when I was younger. Now as a 23 year old, my bottom teeth are crowding, and my front tooth is slowing protruding forward, so I decided to take care of it now before my problems get any worse.

Needless to say I plan on wearing a retainer for the rest of my life. I’m never paying for braces again.

PROs:
1) No one can see them or detect them, its true. Can’t beat this fact, it’s the whole purpose. I personally don’t have a lisp problem. On the most part I think it’s a paranoia thing, even if you think its slightly detectable people really can’t tell.

2) Encourages excellent hygiene. I only brushed once a day before, now I find myself brushing 5 times a day. I get disgusted at the idea of putting the aligners back on without having brushed my teeth fisrt. Some people may find it a pain, but to me it’s a benefit.

3) You can take them off. Pressure does build when you wear them as with anything that is realigning your teeth, but I find it nice that I can enjoy a meal without feeling the constant pressure while eating which I would with regular braces.

CONs:

1)Trying to wear them for 22 hours a day. It makes me rush through meals, and feel really guilty when I take an hour and a half to drink my 2 and ½ cups of coffee on weekends. Its stinks to have to constantly think about how long they've been out.

2) The Buttons on your teeth while you eat are a bit annoying. I’m sensitive to having food stuck on my teeth while eating, so when I eat something that breaks up easily (like hard pretzels) I feel like more food sticks to the side of my teeth because of these buttons. Just a gross feeling, but not enough to dissuade me from invisalign completely, just a downside.