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I had braces when I was in high school but once I...
I had braces when I was in high school but once I took them off never followed-up and my teeth criss-crossed across my mouth in a very unattractive way. Previously my biggest problem with my smile was that it was very gummy, and my teeth very small, due to a combination of aggressive grinding and persistent mouth tissue. I am getting married in September so I used this time to invest in my mouth so I wouldn't be such a neurotic bride (my regular strategy of hiding from the cameras or taking the picture probably isn't going to work for this event). In January I had crown lengthening performed on my upper visible teeth, and now that my gums have healed I am moving on to phase two - Invisalign. I went in for my clincheck on Wednesday and found out I will only need 18 trays (which is great because I hope to have a good chunk of the movement done by my wedding) and will be getting started next week. I will need 12 buttons (3 on the top and bottom of each side of my mouth), but I believe they will mostly be non-visible as they will be positioned towards the back.
I will take photos later, if I can force myself to do it! Now that my front teeth are bigger, which I wanted, the extent of the misalignment and gaps are way more visible and have made me even more unhappy with my smile. And my teeth look way more yellow (and the Crest White Strips haven't been working). High hopes that this procedure can give me the ability to feel as confident as I want to be.
I will take photos later, if I can force myself to do it! Now that my front teeth are bigger, which I wanted, the extent of the misalignment and gaps are way more visible and have made me even more unhappy with my smile. And my teeth look way more yellow (and the Crest White Strips haven't been working). High hopes that this procedure can give me the ability to feel as confident as I want to be.
The photos!
It is still amazing to me, weeks later, when I realize these are my teeth. I will post a picture pre-crown lengthening soon to show exactly how small my teeth were. Now however, the problems of my bite and grinding are much more apparent. Hoping that by fixing my bite a lot of the issues of grinding will be fixed, but for the damage already done there may be the need for additional dental work.
Waiting to hear from my dentist that the first set of trays are in - they said it would be a week and I went in on Thursday. I am traveling for work for the next 3 days so I probably won't be fitted until at least Monday.
Waiting to hear from my dentist that the first set of trays are in - they said it would be a week and I went in on Thursday. I am traveling for work for the next 3 days so I probably won't be fitted until at least Monday.
Day 1 with Invisalign
My trays came in on Tuesday, so I immediately booked an appointment for Wednesday. Yesterday afternoon I went in and the experience was not my favorite, but definitely manageable. First, I had apparently counted wrong and have 12 buttons, still they are for the most part not in visible as they are not on my four front or bottom teeth. The button on my crooked canine tooth is pretty prominent, and I definitely notice it when I smile wide in the mirror, but if that is the only things it really is not so bad.
My dentist did not really explain the IPR to me during my clincheck, but based on online research I knew that I was going to have to have it done. In comparison to the crown lengthening procedure I did last month it wasn't a big deal, but it was still uncomfortable and my teeth are sensitive so I had a few moments where it was painful and I cringed. I also don't love the man-made gaps given I have so many natural ones, but I understand the physics behind the concept so I am going to roll with it.
When I left I was pleasantly surprised that the trays were not as painful as I had feared, definitely snug but not crippling. However, as the night went on the pain started to get to me and I was super excited to take the trays out for dinner. I had my fiancée stock up on hydrogen peroxide and Polident and mouthwash and the like, but didn’t get into all of that after only having them in for a few hours. Just a strong brushing and flossing and rinsing out the aligners with water and a tooth brush.
Last night I slept surprisingly well, though I have been sleeping with a mouth guard due to my grinding for several months so I have become accustomed to being slightly uncomfortable and still getting decent sleep. This morning I used the Polident tab and did the whole brushing thing. I am able to eat quite comfortably, I think the way my teeth are currently positioned and the teeth that I have buttons are aligned in such a way that there is minimal pain or irritation. I also think the dentist did a good job of filing them down in such a way to avoid this.
Heading out to lunch now, will be doing my first office brushing and tray cleaning. Luckily we have a private .5 bath without a toilet that I plan on using. I am absolutely starving and hope that I figure out how to eat enough to not have my hunger affect my ability to think and do work during the day.
I was only given one tray so I am going back in two weeks for a check-in and to get the next month's worth.
I will do a photo then to show any minimal progress. I may take a photo with the trays in to show what it looks like, you can sort of see them at the moment because an unfortunate amount of saliva seems to be pooling. Also, I am experiencing the lip dryness I have heard other mention and will be picking up some vaseline for my desk. Lisp isn't too bad, and luckily I I am not leading any calls at work for the rest of the week.
My dentist did not really explain the IPR to me during my clincheck, but based on online research I knew that I was going to have to have it done. In comparison to the crown lengthening procedure I did last month it wasn't a big deal, but it was still uncomfortable and my teeth are sensitive so I had a few moments where it was painful and I cringed. I also don't love the man-made gaps given I have so many natural ones, but I understand the physics behind the concept so I am going to roll with it.
When I left I was pleasantly surprised that the trays were not as painful as I had feared, definitely snug but not crippling. However, as the night went on the pain started to get to me and I was super excited to take the trays out for dinner. I had my fiancée stock up on hydrogen peroxide and Polident and mouthwash and the like, but didn’t get into all of that after only having them in for a few hours. Just a strong brushing and flossing and rinsing out the aligners with water and a tooth brush.
Last night I slept surprisingly well, though I have been sleeping with a mouth guard due to my grinding for several months so I have become accustomed to being slightly uncomfortable and still getting decent sleep. This morning I used the Polident tab and did the whole brushing thing. I am able to eat quite comfortably, I think the way my teeth are currently positioned and the teeth that I have buttons are aligned in such a way that there is minimal pain or irritation. I also think the dentist did a good job of filing them down in such a way to avoid this.
Heading out to lunch now, will be doing my first office brushing and tray cleaning. Luckily we have a private .5 bath without a toilet that I plan on using. I am absolutely starving and hope that I figure out how to eat enough to not have my hunger affect my ability to think and do work during the day.
I was only given one tray so I am going back in two weeks for a check-in and to get the next month's worth.
I will do a photo then to show any minimal progress. I may take a photo with the trays in to show what it looks like, you can sort of see them at the moment because an unfortunate amount of saliva seems to be pooling. Also, I am experiencing the lip dryness I have heard other mention and will be picking up some vaseline for my desk. Lisp isn't too bad, and luckily I I am not leading any calls at work for the rest of the week.