Invisalign Isn't For Everyone - Albuquerque, NM

I initially wanted to wear braces - again. I'd worn them decades ago when I had very misaligned teeth. My orthodontist then did a spectacular job of straightening my teeth. I was very happy. I've received compliments for many years for my pretty smile. But, for some reason, he chose to remove my retainer and that proved to be a mistake. My teeth gradually became crooked again. So I thought I'd do it all over again.

After Invisalign was recommended, I had many questions to ask my new orthodontist. I was given many answers. In hindsight, I question the accuracy of them. I chose Invisalign because I understood they'd be difficult for others to see and a fast treatment for me. The work I needed was nowhere near the complexity of the work completed 40 years ago. But, I've realized Invisalign isn't for everyone. I'm 2 1/2 years into treatment and some of my teeth remain crooked. I feel deflated and disappointed in all the time and money I've invested. After all, I do have a life to live.

Whenever I change out my trays to a new one, I chew the Invisaligner sponges as instructed. My teeth quickly shift position and the trays loosen. Then they flop around a little and this continues for almost two weeks until the next set of trays replace them. Then the cycle repeats itself. They make my speech sound like I have a severe lisp and people frequently ask me to repeat myself. Sometimes others stare at my mouth. Then there's often - but not always - the spot where my tongue hits them and gets sore with occasional bleeding. This compounds my speech concerns as my tongue instinctively seeks to minimize its pain. I find the need to explain myself to others: speech challenges, time spent behind closed doors taking care of Invisalign hygiene as well as my own oral care, etc. This has proven to be a hindrance - if not downright embarrassing.

I am employed as a healthcare professional in a fast-paced environment where I regularly interact with at least 20-30 people daily. Due to the nature of my work, I'm not usually with the same people every day. A large component of my position requires educating others. Then there's phone calls, colleagues, visitors, families, and the list goes one. When they can't understand me - and repeatedly on different days with new groups - my job becomes more challenging.

Invisalign is a sturdy product. However, they are nowhere near invisible. That's a misnomer. I spent hard-earned dollars for a lot of lost time and have experienced tremendous frustration.

At the conclusion, will I still have a malocclusion? Invisalign still has a lot of homework to do.