Invisalign: Stories

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Self Improvement - Las Vegas, NV

  • posted 11 months ago
  • updated 21 days ago
  • Worth It
  • Cost: $4,900
  • Dr. Wagner (Las Vegas, NV)

My parents couldn't afford braces when I was...

  • 11 Jun 2012

My parents couldn't afford braces when I was young, so I've managed to keep my smiles to myself. You want to think that people mature, but teeth are still a topic of conversation and jest even at age 27.

The reason I chose Invisalign comes down to two factors:
cost--they were actually cheaper than braces.
comfort--I've ride a motorcycle almost everyday. The thought of my cheeks being pressed into metal brackets sounds terrible.

The pressure is bearable (I can actually feel which teeth are being targeted), and thanks to fellow reviewers, I was able to easily remove the trays for mealtime. You really do want to start at the back and work your way forward. There is no sense in bludgeoning your fingernails trying to pry the trays off. You also tend to salivate more than usual on the first day/tray.

It's been 4 weeks now, and I just received my 3rd...

  • 12 Jul 2012
It's been 4 weeks now, and I just received my 3rd tray this morning. These next two sets of trays I'll be wearing for 3 weeks each. I've been combatting the initial switch pain with ibuprofen and soft foods. I've also finally mastered removing my trays with minimum effort by working from right to left. There isn't a visible difference when I remove the tray, but I can floss places I was unable to floss before. I noticed I'm more likely to smile with the trays on because my gap is noticeably smaller. At this point, my front two teeth have to wait for my bite to expand and create room for more of their movement.

No changes worth a picture. The moving teeth are...

  • 31 Aug 2012
No changes worth a picture. The moving teeth are molars making space for the rotation of my front teeth. This has made the trays much less painful to remove initially, but more difficult to chew (due to tenderness).

I'm on tray 8 now. Not too much has change up...

  • 10 Oct 2012
I'm on tray 8 now. Not too much has change up front. All the pressure is on my molars. I'm expected to wear these two for 3 weeks each, but I'm not sure why. I felt rushed. I should have asked.

Not much new. More molar movement (they were...

  • 6 Dec 2012
Not much new. More molar movement (they were pointing inward and are now almost facing straight. Bottom teeth seem about halfway done. I noticed I smile more now, despite visible attachments.

It's hard to believe I'm on tray 14 of 27. Almost...

  • 25 Jan 2013
It's hard to believe I'm on tray 14 of 27. Almost there!

Tray 21 of 27...just a little closer...

  • 26 Apr 2013
Tray 21 of 27...just a little closer...
Great review?

My Doctor:

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Quiet, but knowledgeable and polite.

Comments (20)

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DeltaH 26 Jan 2013
Your teeth look amazing! Will you have to get more/less attachments as your treatment progresses?
Ephelan 26 Jan 2013
I'm unsure. The only time people notice I'm wearing Invisalign is when I smile big enough to expose the attachments....so less would be great!
Megan P (Community Manager) 11 Oct 2012

If you aren't quite sure why you need to wear these trays for 3 weeks I'd give your dentist's office a call and ask. I'm sure they would be happy to tell you. My guess is they are wanting to give the molars a little more time to move, sense they have 3 roots instead of just 1 it can take longer to move them.

Ephelan 11 Oct 2012
I will call and ask tomorrow. One extra note...I've noticed that I've gotten so used to my trays, that I'm actually lisping when I take them out to eat. Thankfully I don't leave them out long or talk while I'm eating >.>
Megan P (Community Manager) 12 Oct 2012

Wow, isn't it amazing how quickly we can adjust to something (like the trays) and it just becomes the new norm for us?!

FloTrader 9 Aug 2012
Ephelan: First off, I apologize if this post has been answered before. I am extremely new to this board and have just started my Invisalign research. I have been wanting straighter teeth for since HS and I am almost 30 now. That being said, I am not open to braces...at least at this stage of my research. However, my question is this: if Invisalign uses a series of trays to correct the teeth, wouldn't the trays get dirty (gross I know) or foggy and thus become very obvious that you have them on? I keep picture walking around the office with Crest White Strips on and thinking that is not invisable at all! Again, sorry if this has been discussed many times!! I will keep looking at this site!

Very happy for you Ephelan!! Seems like you really know what you are doing, are happy with your progress, and are making great strides in your straightening process! Cheers!
Ephelan 9 Aug 2012
I was concerned about this as well. To keep the trays clean, it's suggested to drink only water while they are in your mouth. Since you eat with them out, you then have the opportunity to thoroughly clean your mouth and trays separately before reinserting. I significantly reduced my coffee intake because I was so worried that the coffee would get trapped and cause discoloration.
Megan P (Community Manager) 2 Aug 2012

Wow, the gap is barely there in the picture you just added! Have the trays & everything associated just become routine at this point, or are there still certain things you find to be a hassle?

Ephelan 2 Aug 2012
Everything feels pretty routine now. This is probably the most painful tray switch experience, but I know I just need to play the soft food game for a day or two.
Megan P (Community Manager) 2 Aug 2012

Yep, soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes - yum! ;)

Megan P (Community Manager) 13 Jul 2012

Its impressive that you know your treatment plan well enough to understand that your bite has to expand before those front teeth can go any further. Kudos to your doctor for explaining it well, and kudos to you for paying attention!

Ephelan 1 Aug 2012
I'm actually just guessing based on my multiple consultations and having watched videos. My doctor is rather quiet.
Jake Has Invisalign (RealFriend) 25 Jun 2012

My aligners usually become loose after 12 hours, And they loosen even more after 24 hours. I've been switching my aligners before I go to bed, so I sleep through the discomfort.

I'm uploading a video to my review soon, If you get a chance, it might be worth watching. 

Take care!
Ephelan 25 Jun 2012
Will do! I realize now that I had looked at your profile before I got started. I recognize the pictures, just not the avatar. I actually switch to my second tray tomorrow, so I will take your advice and switch before bedtime tonight. Thanks :)
Jake Has Invisalign (RealFriend) 21 Jun 2012

I'm very interested to see how your teeth will shift positions over the next few weeks, our teeth look alike, In my opinion. Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment :)
Ephelan 21 Jun 2012
Thanks! The trays feels almost loose compared to the first few days, so even though I can't really see anything, I can definitely feel changes.
Megan P (Community Manager) 14 Jun 2012

Thanks for adding some pictures. It looks like your front teeth are a bit closer together even in just your first tray! Do they spread back apart when the tray is off? Another community member, Naas, mentioned that happened with his teeth in one of his earlier videos.

Ephelan 14 Jun 2012
I actually watched some of his videos before I got mine--very helpful tips. They do spread back apart, but I notice that even only a few days later, I can suddenly floss around that tooth. Before Invisalign, flossing the tight side of that tooth meant tearing/breaking the floss.
Megan P (Community Manager) 12 Jun 2012

Ohhh, I never even thought of how traditional brackets might feel with a motorcycle helmet on! Glad Invisalign was an option for you!!

How many trays do you have in your series?

Ephelan 12 Jun 2012
Yea, a full face helmet fits pretty snug. The cheek pads essentially make you a chipmunk. Suddenly, braces seem like torture devices. I have 27 for both top and bottom I believe.

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