“Just Started Treatment! - Phoenix, AZ”

First off, I want to apologize for such a long post, but I want to make sure I cover everything that I wanted to know before I started my treatment.

My cost reflects a groupon deal, I know you all are probably thinking I am crazy for going with a provider that offers groupon rates. I was hesitant at first, but turns out this was the best purchase I have made! I made sure to read all the fine print, call the dentist's office and ask questions as well as review the dentist online before purchasing. I went to two other ortho/dentists consults on braces and invisalign. One quoted me $5000-$6500 and another quoted $4300, with treatment time 18-24 months. My insurance doesn't cover adult braces, so this was a great deal for me. I'm 25 and definitely did not want to get traditional braces if I didn't need to.

My treatment plan should last 8 1/2 months (currently coming up on four weeks), a significant difference from what others have quoted me for treatment time; need I say again that I am ecstatic that I chose invisalign. I removed my wisdom teeth late (age of 22), so my teeth are severly crowded. I have wanted to straighten my teeth forever, I hate my mouth and think it makes me look ugly; little dramatic, I know, but that's just the way I feel.

Experience so far:
It took three weeks from the day impressions were taken to receive my trays. The dentist's office was kind enough to video message me a copy of my clincheck since I was not able to make it in the office to view and approve it.

I received 3 buttons on top and four on bottom the day I received my trays. Two of the buttons fell off within a few days of attaching them and I had to get them replaced. Haven't had an issue with that since.

At the end of the second week, my aligners started to scratch the inside of my cheek creating a sore. I just took a pair of nail files and slightly filed them, this took care of the issue.

Brushing my teeth in a public restroom is a little awkward and most restrooms have sensored faucets, can be a hassle brushing as the faucet turns off when you move your hand. Other than that it isn't too bad. If I'm on my way home after eating then I will put my aligners back in and wait to brush them until I get home.

Tips:
Rinse aligners as soon as you take them out, they'll smell if you don't. You don't need to use toothpaste (heard it can be abrasive and cause aligners to smell worse).

I advise to have two foldable travel toothbrushes (one for your mouth and one for aligners), floss, Colgate wisps (incase you don't have a sink to brush your teeth), travel size mouthwash and toothpaste,and toothpicks; all in a travel size carry pouch for on the go and to prevent something from leaking in your purse or bag. Course, this is all optional.

If there's a sharp edge, use a nail file to smooth edges.

Make sure you floss, I even rinse out my mouth with mouthwash after flossing to make sure I got all food out of my mouth.

You can watch videos on Youtube for more information and personal experiences. It's easier to type "invisalign update" if you're interested in personal experiences, otherwise you'll get a lot of videos from dentists and orthodontists.

I posted before pics from an ortho consult as well as a pic with the aligners in my mouth, you can see that the buttons aren't so bad. Hope this helps!

Updated on 10 Nov 2011:
Seven weeks in and I have noticed that My mouth sometimes becomes extremely dry. Sometimes so dry I end of coughing and dry heaving. Of course I try to avoid this as much as possible by drinking water as soon as my mouth feels dry. Another solution I noticed that helps is if i put my aligners in when they are drenched in water. Not a pleasant experience, so make sure you have water with you at all times!

Updated on 27 Feb 2012:
So, I ended up moving to San Diego and had to find a new provider. I went to two different consultations (no need to go to that many since I am already in invisalign) to compare prices. I went to an ortho elite provider and a general dentist that was premier provider. I ended up going to the Ortho because I believed that he can provide a better service for roughly the same price ($1975 to take over my existing case including retainers).

The ortho decided to do a mid-course correction. He put spacers (rubber bands) between my teeth and left them in for four days (these hurt worse than switching any of my trays, not the process of inserting the bands but just the teeth moving). Today they removed the spacers and performed IPR (filing between the teeth) and took new impressions. I should receive my new trays within 2-3 weeks. I just put my bottom trays in from the previous provider so that my teeth don't shift back to its original position (I left the bottom out while the spacers were in because the tray wouldn't fit). There was a new level of pain, who knew teeth could move so much in such a little time. Hopefully my new trays come in soon and this process goes well!