“My Invisalign Treatment in the UK”

Being a very nervous dental patient, I have researched braces and attachments online in detail. I have viewed this website many times in the last year to find out the pros and cons of Invisalign and thought more UK experiences would be useful to read.

After visiting 2 different orthodentists, I chose the one who agreed that Invisalign would be good for me.

I am 43 years old and until very recently I have sucked my thumb at night!! (I know that is bad, but I have stopped now.) My teeth jut out slightly on the top and my right incisor sticks out. My bottom teeth are quite crooked and don't sit correctly beneath the front 2 teeth, but friends and family think I have a lovely smile already. As I have got older my teeth have moved quite a bit, so I asked my dentist for a referral to an orthodentist to see if Invisalign would be suitable.

The first orthodentist only offered me fixed braces and 4 extractions and said Invisalign would not be suitable. My reading of invisalign caused me to think otherwise so I went for a second opinion. Second offered me a fixed brace with 1 extraction or invisalign. Imvisalign was more advisable due to a full dental x-ray showing some signs of previous bone loss. Therefore invisalign would require less tooth movement and work more gently. I will need 8 attachments(buttons) in 5 weeks time and my orthodentist has put those on the sides of my mouth rather than the front. I will also need quite a bit of tooth shaving at that point. (Not looking forward to that bit!)

My wonderful orthodentist has even managed to correct my overbite - which I am thrilled about, as I had not thought that this could be done. The video imagery was fantastic and I will be so happy if it all ends up as planned.

I was so excited about starting my treatment yesterday - it was up there with an all time great day! But I will need a year of wearing the trays before we find out if everything has gone to plan. I have 25 top trays and 20 bottom trays.

I was very surprised that the trays felt so slim in my mouth. I was very worried that my mouth would feel full. They are not intrusive although I think the shape of my mouth looks different from the outside. The bottom tray is slightly rubbing against the inside of my mouth but I have put some bonjela on it and that seems to have done the trick. It is not attractive watching me trying to get the trays out at the moment but I am already getting quicker. Invisalign will definately stop me snacking - it would take too long to take out and eat a snack, clean teeth and trays and put back in - so I will be making the most of mealtimes instead (at last!)

I will re-post about the tooth shaving when it has happened, but I have been assured that it is not painful. I hope this has been helpful to any UK readers. Good luck with your Invisalign journey!