POSTED UNDER Invisalign REVIEWS
And in the Bginning There Was...tray 1 - Massachusetts, MA
ORIGINAL POST
I recently started my Invisalign journey. I have...
WORTH IT$5,400
I recently started my Invisalign journey. I have been self consious about a sizable gap between my front teeth for many years but I finally decided to bite the bullet and go for it when my 5 year old nephew was looking at my recent WDW pictures and said to me "Aunti - you got a rotten tooth?" He thought the gap in my teeth was actually a blackened tooth! (the gap does look black in the pictures!). Upon looking at my pictures more closely, I realized that I really looked like I had a front tooth missing. With my daughter getting married in a little over a year, I decided I needed to do something about that gap! So my dentist had recently been certified in Invisalign and her entire staff had them done and they all had beautiful smiles! I had a consult and decided to go for it. I am going to need 22 trays and probably 8 refinements then a retainer for at least a year 24/7. I'm ok with that - I hope.
Right now I'm on day three of my first tray and still struggling a bit to get used to them. I keep thinking that I'll wake up one day and forget I have them in - from the other posts on here - that may not ever happen. But I have to say that although they felt quite tight initially, I never really had much discomfort. What is most uncomfortable for me is actually taking my top aligners out. I have a total of 13 attachments and sometimes when I pull the top aligner off my front teeth (the ones that need the most movement) they do hurt a bit. But nothing overwhelming. My problem right now is the spitting. Yes...the spitting. I seem to collect a lot of saliva in my trays and if I speak more than a few words, I get this little spit bubble over the top of one of my front teeth and if I continue to speak I tend to spew a little saliva! Kind of gross I must say. And the lisp that goes along with the excess saliva is a bit annoying but I'm hoping all of this will diminish as my mouth becomes accustomed to these foreign objects in my mouth. I did have some very rough edges that cut up my tongue and inner lip a bit but a 2 minute trip to my dentist resolved that. She filed them down for me and they are much better.
I know the end results will be worth it. I look forward to smiling hugely on my daughter's wedding day unafraid of what my mouth will look like in her pictures. That is why I am forging onward despite the little annoyances. I hope it continues to get better and better.
Right now I'm on day three of my first tray and still struggling a bit to get used to them. I keep thinking that I'll wake up one day and forget I have them in - from the other posts on here - that may not ever happen. But I have to say that although they felt quite tight initially, I never really had much discomfort. What is most uncomfortable for me is actually taking my top aligners out. I have a total of 13 attachments and sometimes when I pull the top aligner off my front teeth (the ones that need the most movement) they do hurt a bit. But nothing overwhelming. My problem right now is the spitting. Yes...the spitting. I seem to collect a lot of saliva in my trays and if I speak more than a few words, I get this little spit bubble over the top of one of my front teeth and if I continue to speak I tend to spew a little saliva! Kind of gross I must say. And the lisp that goes along with the excess saliva is a bit annoying but I'm hoping all of this will diminish as my mouth becomes accustomed to these foreign objects in my mouth. I did have some very rough edges that cut up my tongue and inner lip a bit but a 2 minute trip to my dentist resolved that. She filed them down for me and they are much better.
I know the end results will be worth it. I look forward to smiling hugely on my daughter's wedding day unafraid of what my mouth will look like in her pictures. That is why I am forging onward despite the little annoyances. I hope it continues to get better and better.
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM glm777
4 days post
Is it day 308 yet????
So... day 5 with my aligners and I'm just starting to relaize what a commitment this really is. Still having some issues with spitting - the more I talk, the more I spit! So I have been reduced to just minimal responses whenever possible to minimize the free showers I have been giving to folks. I;ve decided that if I join the church choir this year - I will have to invest in ponchos for the front pew! All kidding aside though, that is by far my biggest issue. I still have a minor lisp that gets worse the more words I say in a row. But I'm thinking this might be a good thing since I feel my aligners are a bit loose now which hopefully means real good movement. I have noticed a slight odor to the aligners so I did buy some Retainer Bright and will start soaking them each evening while I'm having my dinner. Which brings me to another point - I've lost about 6 pounds in 5 days!! I never realized how snacky I was before starting treatment! Now I have a Atkins shake for Breakfast, (15 min),a WW meal for lunch(30 min) and a regular dinner in the evening (75 min). Now I'm not going to lie - I LIVE for that 75 minutes of Invisalign freedom!! I try to make it as late as I can so that once I put them back in - I only have a short time before bed. I keep waiting for the time when I don't even know they are in there - has not happened yet. It is still all I can think of. I have a mouth full of plastic and it knows it! I have no pain, just a feeling of "fullness" - like my mouth is full of plastic -DUH! But I forge onward, knowing that in the end it will be worth it. And maybe it's just my imagination, but the gap between my front teeth does look a tad bit smaller :)
Replies (0)
Replies (8)
September 1, 2013
I love you positive attitude! I am on set six of twenty-eight. My orthodontist has his clients wear each set for three weeks, so my journey will be a little longer than most. I have had no major problems, though I also suffered with some pretty achy teeth in the beginning, and I lisp for a day or two after starting each new set of aligners. I have yet to experience the sensation of non-awareness of the aligners. Frankly, I doubt I ever will because even though they do become easier to pull out as the weeks go by, they are snug enough to always remind me they are there. As you indicate, that is good because that means they are doing their slow but sure job. I can, in fact, already tell that my bottom teeth (Imagine overcrowded slightly yellow piano keys) look straighter. My orthodontist strongly recommends that I brush my aligners, each time I remove them, with a soft toothbrush (I use a little baby's brush) and dish soap. He feels that toothpaste is too abrasive and more difficult to rinse off, especially off the little indents for the "buttons". For added freshness, he gave me the OK to soak my aligners in hydrogen peroxide. Maybe that would help with odor problems. Yeah, this is a big commitment, but if we take it one set at a time we will accomplish something to smile about :-D
September 1, 2013
Deidre,
Thanks for your response. I have recently started soaking my aligners in Retainer Brite while I have my supper. The toothpaste absolutely does get stuck in the little indents and sometimes I have to waste another 5 minutes trying to get it out! I realy wish my upper aligners felt like my lower - I hardly even know my bottom aligners are there. But that's because I need only a little bit of work on the bottom - the top is what's really wonky! So I guess I'll just hang in there and every time I wonder what I've gotten myself into, I'll look at my WDW pictures and think - next WDW trip I'm going to be smiling soooo much more! Take care!
September 2, 2013
Try sucking out the excess saliva and swallowing it. I use peroxide every time I take the aligners out and have no odor or discoloration. I am eating less also, down to 3 meals and my breakfast is protein drink and bar for 400 calories. I do not want to snack anymore, too much hassle. I am only on day 6 and have asked myself if this is all worth it.
September 3, 2013
mic, I know just what you mean about wondering if it is worth it. But I guess all goo
d things take work and time and this is no different. I am now 1 week into it and still am not loving it. I'm looking forward to getting my next set of trays - with each tray I am looking at a potential for them to feel less...intrusive. I guess is the word. They are always THERE . While I have no actual pain, they are definitely uncomfortable. Well, only 43 more weeks to go! Hang in there!
September 3, 2013
Yes, each new set of trays is exciting, but the "rub" (pardon the pun) is that each set will start out quite snug. I am always amazed, when I receive a new set, at how tight they feel at first. Don't let me scare you, it only lasts a day or two and it really is a positive sign of progress. That said, it may be that the sensation of "THERE" may never go away completely. Any "old timers" (20 sets or more under your belt) out there with advice about this? I will say that when I wake in the morning I experience the least awareness of the aligners. I enjoy that :-D As far as cleaning the little buggers, as I said earlier I was told to just use dish detergent. Toothpaste, with all the tooth protecting agents, is great for teeth, but since the aligners have to be completely clean before insertion, there is really no need to struggle with sticky toothpaste. I think an arsenal of Retainer Bright, peroxide, and dish soap should do the trick. Once in a while, when I have been very naughty and I have sipped something (Coffee) with my aligners "in" and mildly stained them, I will give them a quick dip, i.e. just a few minutes, in diluted bleach water. That brings the bright back. Anyway, it sounds like you are doing great! Keep smiling.
September 3, 2013
I feel exactly like you do - the first thing in the morning I barely feel the aligners. It gets worse as the day progresses. I have been religious in following the "water only" instructions up until yesterday. Yesterday I was dying for a sip or two of diet coke so I did have about a quarter of a can. I took sips of water in between and no staining that I could tell. I just don't want to get into the habit of that because I know myself - give me an inch and I'll take a yard! So I'm back to only drinking water but I have decided that I will allow myself to go a LITTLE bit off track on the weekends. I actually had my aligners out 2 1/4 hours yesterday! I'm such a rebel!! LOL! Hang in there - we will have beautiful smiles when this is all over!
September 5, 2013
The first week or two I really had some doubts if I made the right decision getting these things! But alas, time goes on - I am a day away from switching to aligner #14 - and it does get easier. You will never forget you are wearing them, but they become so routine in your mouth, it will start to feel strange when you have them OUT! Your teeth feel very thin and sharp... lol. I guess we will have to get used to not wearing them again after treatment is over.
The first few months I was religious about my wear time. 22+ hours a day. It's quite difficult to keep up that routine (or it was for me.) There is another board called Braces Review Board (google it) which is more like a message board (but they do have a section for reviews/blogs)... but there is a resident orthodontist on the board and he said 20+ hours a day is fine for wear time. I average 21 hrs a day.... maybe a little less on weekends. I just got tired of feeling rushed everytime I ate! Especially in the evenings with the family! :)
I also drank nothing but water the first few months and that too has relaxed some. Now I will drink my diet coke and swish water inbetween. I have had some issues with staining though (pictures in my review... :))... usually the first week of wear I am a little better about drinking water... the last 2 days of wear before switching I don't care and will drink what I want. lol
You'll find a system that works for you... no worries. Congratulations on starting your treatment! I look forward to reading about your progress!
September 6, 2013
Thank you for the encouragement! I can already see myself sliding a bit, especially on the water only rule! I still average 22 hours/day but I did go 21 1/2 on Sunday and refuse to feel guilty about it. Nice to know I'm not alone!
Ahahahaha, I LOVE your title! Just don't take a rest on day 7! ;)
That is exciting that you have your daughter's wedding as a goal for getting your smile to where you want it - what a great day to showcase your new smile!!
Since the salive is causing issues for you, I thought you might like this forum:
Any tips on getting rid of the little bubbles that show between the aligners and the teeth?
Hoping things go less spitty for you today. (Oh dental puns, who could resist, haha!)