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.
My parents couldn't afford braces when I was...
It's been 4 weeks now, and I just received my 3rd...
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...
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...
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...
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...
It's hard to believe I'm on tray 14 of 27. Almost there!
Tray 21 of 27...just a little closer...
Tray 21 of 27...just a little closer...
27/27
So I finally made it to tray 27 of 27! I will post pictures after I finish this final tray. I will say, I got to tray 26...and I left it, in a napkin, on a restaurant table. I reverted back to tray 25...and lost that one, the same way, the next day. I felt like I was on the failure train.
I sheepishly admitted to my failures at my next dental appointment. I tried on #27 out of desperation, and managed to get the trays on. It was significantly more painful than any other tray, with due reason. I do not advocate skipping trays at all. I got lucky that it even fit, and I paid in pain.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the finale with some minor cosmetic adjustments in August. Next adventure....LASIK...maybe.
I sheepishly admitted to my failures at my next dental appointment. I tried on #27 out of desperation, and managed to get the trays on. It was significantly more painful than any other tray, with due reason. I do not advocate skipping trays at all. I got lucky that it even fit, and I paid in pain.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the finale with some minor cosmetic adjustments in August. Next adventure....LASIK...maybe.
Not quite there yet...
I had the edges of my teeth re-contoured. I'm also scheduled to get crowns on my two shorter, upper, outer incisors; However, the dentist recommended that I get whitening first, because otherwise the crowns would be made to match my fairly stained teeth. I underwent the Zoom whitening process, which I will never ever do again due to the extreme pain. It worked very well, but I don't think it was worth it. I'll update with a better picture once I finish with my crowns.
Unhappy, but not with Invisalign.
I finally had my crowns made a few weeks ago. I have never been so disappointed. The procedure took 4 hours to get 2 incisor crowns made (the ones right next to my biggest teeth). They look like they flare out from my other teeth. Then on top of this, I have to get new retainers made, which are not covered. It's an additional $500. I haven't had a retainer in for 2+ weeks now, and my teeth look like they are already going back. On top of this mess, one of the crowns got infected. This probably means a root canal, plus another crown, plus a new set of retainers. I simply cannot afford all of this. I regret accepting any cosmetic treatment after my Invisalign with the exception of the recontouring.
New Retainers
It's been a month without my upper retainer now. Due to the new crowns, my upper tray did not fit. Anyways, fast forward to yesterday. The new bottom retainer went in without a problem. The top...well, the dentist made it fit. It was a dull ache when I left. Then lunch came and I tried to get it off...and I couldn't. I did my best to mouthwash throughout the evening, but this morning, I knew I had to get this sucker out and brush my teeth. I succeeded, but not without sharp pain in almost every tooth.
Maybe I got lucky, but during my treatment, I always had tender teeth, but it was always just a few at a time. It's amazing, scary, and painful how much my upper teeth have moved in the last month. I'm hoping this will only be for a day or two (like new trays during treatment), but given how much my teeth have moved, it will probably be longer.
Maybe I got lucky, but during my treatment, I always had tender teeth, but it was always just a few at a time. It's amazing, scary, and painful how much my upper teeth have moved in the last month. I'm hoping this will only be for a day or two (like new trays during treatment), but given how much my teeth have moved, it will probably be longer.
Back for more
For whatever reason, my retainers weren't retaining anything and one of my front teeth started to turn inwards. I now have 11 new trays to go through. (at no cost to me) I'm glad I'm getting this resolved, but I'm not looking forward to new tray pain. :(
Quiet, but knowledgeable and polite.
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I'm very glad to hear, however, that they are trying to make it right with you by giving you a refinement at no extra charge. I'm sorry you've had to go through this pain, though. And yet another half-year, almost. What a pain in the rear. I hope everything ends up perfect, though.
The new retainers killed me every time. I'm so glad I'm done breaking in all four now. But they were way worse than the aligners, and the pain lasted a week! Hope all is well!
Oh my gosh, onto your last tray - that is a HUGE deal!! Yay!!
When you mention you will need "minor cosmetic adjustments" is that like a little re-contouring of the teeth, whitening, etc. or do you mean with more trays, like a refinement series?
Oh, that's tomorrow - so close! I'm excited to hear!! :)
Oooooh, Ephelan. :( Yeah, it can be quite uncomfortable for some people. I tend to have sensitive teeth, so I'm too afraid to even try it. Lots of people love the amount of whitening they get though, so hopefully in the long run it'll end up being worth it to you.
When you feel up to it I would love it if you would write a Zoom review.
So glad the zingers have subsided!
I'm looking forward to reading your review once it gets published!!
Ephelan, if I'm counting right I think you probably only have a couple sets of trays left - exciting!! Are things still looking good, and on track?
Oh my gosh, I don't blame you! It is such an amazingly good feeling to finish paying off a debt - you'll get there, and you will have gorgeously straight teeth when you do! :)
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.
Wow, isn't it amazing how quickly we can adjust to something (like the trays) and it just becomes the new norm for us?!
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!
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?