My Invisalign Experience - Australia, AU
Being 30 I decided that I didn't want the teenage...
Being 30 I decided that I didn't want the teenage braces look so I went for the invisible experience. Which comes with a cost. Traditional braces are about $3,000 less than Invisalign.
My teeth are relatively straight, well I thought that anyway. I just have a tooth up the top that sticks out massively. It has affected me for quite some time (12 years) so I thought it was time to get my teeth straight. Funny though when you have this treatment you tend to notice how crooked your teeth really are and or people around you. I also have a lot of gums troubles (verging on gingivitis) I think due to my overcrowding teeth. I have noticed with the treatment though and the spacing that the trays are causing that my gums seem a little healthy and are not bleeding.
So anyway very happy so far. When changing trays it only hurts for the first couple of days then its fine. I haven't really had any discomfort part from the switching of trays.
The buttons were kind of weird and sharp at the start but I have gotten used to them now and don't even notice them when eating.
I'm on my 4th set now. Have been wearing them fortnightly. My next tray which I will put in tonight (Othro said night time is the best to put new trays in so you can let the tray settle in better), I have been instructed to wear these weekly from now on. Will return to Ortho in a few weeks to get new buttons placed on different teeth and new trays.
Apparently I have 29 to get through.
I also have with my treatment a vibrating mouth device (called the Acceledant) that helps speed up the moving of the teeth. I used this once a day for 20 mins. Cool cause I sit at a desk all day so I do it at work.
It also feels good (massages) the teeth when you first put the new tray in.
The only con I can think of it that I'm a HUGE snacker and have a history of tooth decay so I only eat 3 times a day now. Hence this means I only brush, floss, and clean the trays 3 times. Otherwise its a pain to snack in between. To counteract this I now eat 3 BIG meals so I don't feel the need to snack so much.
I remember when Invisalign first came out years ago and I thought I loved to have a go at that. But at the time it was too far away (was only offered in major capital city Melbourne) so pretty happy that it has come to my area. Even though it is very expensive I figure I'm worth it and the payment plan makes it really easy to achieve.
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When my 1st tray was put on, all I felt was a tight sensation. No pain, no soreness. I thought - this is going to be easy.
I struggled a little to get the tray off at first. I was scared I would break it or pull my teeth off with it. You'll quickly learn that you just had to be tough and pull them off evenly.
This is when you might feel that your teeth are sore/weak from the trays. (mine only lasts a couple of days)
Talk funny? a little. You might sometimes say something and you think that's the tray doing that. I just giggle. It's not really noticeable. A lot of people around me have no idea I'm wearing them.
Bad Breath? Extra Saliva? for me no.no. I have noticed that my mouth sometimes becomes dry though. I guess it'll be different for everyone. I've read that if you don't clean your teeth properly when you take the trays off your teeth/breath will smell bad.
Good luck
I feel like everyone's teeth is under scrutiny now. ;) I have been offered an incentive too at my Ortho. If I can refer people, they take a proportion off my balance owing. So I'm constantly checking out my friends teeth & looking for candidates.
I have 29 trays which i have worked out that my treatment time will take approx 7mths. Around Feb 2013 I will be hopefully finishing up.
Since I have started my weekly change of trays I...
It lasts for only 5 mins or so but its fairly intense. That's why its good to put a new tray in at night so they settle in while your sleeping. Then the first thing I do when I wake up is use the acceledant device. It seems to make taking the trays off easier.
Loving that hardly anyone notices that I'm wearing them and in photos you can't even tell.
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Thanks for filling us in about the intense feeling about 5 minutes after switching trays. Is it just a lot of pressure, or does it actually feel painful?
Up to tray 12. Really noticing that the upper...
Loving seeing the results happen so quick.
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Wow, it is absolutely amazing to look at the progress you have already had. Your teeth are looking great so far! Thank you so much for posting pictures so we can watch the changes with you - its so cool to see!
Sounds like you are adjusting to your trays pretty well. Did you find the Acceledant yourself, or did your orthodontist give it to you?