Well I have decided to get Invisalign. This journey that I'm embarking on would not have been possible without the countless reviews, questions and youtube videos I watched on this subject. After giving it some thought I have decided to get Invisalign and document my experience with my Ortho, and the procedure to pay it forward... A bit about me, I am a 26 year old military member. I had braces when I was 8-10th grade, but like many other kids that age, I never wore my aligner. I also, and I cant believe I'm admitting this, hate myself for what I did to my teeth. When I was young I don't realize the importance of brushing and what not so I had to have a lot of work done, which I still notice today. I have been cavity free for 4 years and my teeth look decent, but they are not where I want them. So along with Invisalign I will whiten and fill/fix any teeth I need once they are straight - and if its needed. I am committed to this!!! So since the introduction is over I will discuss my first appointment. The consultation: I live in Wilmington, North Carolina where we are fortunate to have Dr. Gierie. He has been doing Invisalign since the beginning and is on Invisalign's board of advisers. So along with his elite status it goes without saying he is the best in the area; that is why I chose to go to his office. So making my appointment was easy, I got mine in a few days after I called. When I arrived I filled out the required medical forms and waited about 10 minutes. I was brought back to a consultation room, met one of his assistants and himself. He reviews looked over my mouth and gave some suggestions to his assistant, then he spend about a minute answering some questions...He had to see another patent, so I talked with the assistant for about 20-30 minutes. She went over invisalign, what it looks like my treatment would entail, buttons, elastics, dos/dont, etc. She also did the initial financial work. The only thing I found frustrating about this was that I was asking some questions I already knew the answer to thanks to you guys and I was getting BS answers to a few of them... For example do they hurt "No, they're comfortable", Can they break? "No they're made so they cant", etc..... NOW please don't let this discourage you! I say that because that is what we have this site for and also you cant blame them. She is trying to sell the product to the customer, we would all do the same thing.... I will say that after Dr was dome with his other patient he did come back and I asked the same and harder questions, in which he was forthright... So again, can't blame them for selling the product, and besides his office is one of the best in the Nation!!! So after talking with them and learning how much it would cost and my estimated treatment time (12-18 months) I asked if I could do it then, they pushed some things around, but they fit me right in. (I already made my decision to get invisalign before I wanked in - so please don't say I was impulsive). So anyways, I got my photos, X rays, and did the scan of my teeth. Before the scan the Dr did smothen out some of my teeth with a drill, but it was only a little and there was no pain. So after all that was done I learned it would be about 3-4 weeks until I get my aligners :) ... So now I am anxiously waiting to get started! I will keep you guys updated with my journey and pictures as I take them!