Gap, Underbite and Crossbite. . . Oh my - Charleston, SC

I wanted to close my gap since I was a child. Growing up, we already struggle with insecurities but having a gap between my two front teeth definitely made things worse for me. It definitely has affected my confidence. I had opportunities to get brace as a child, but I felt like metal braces would draw even more attention to myself, which was definitely not desired.

So fast forward to 2015, I'm 37 yo and this year is the year of self improvement!
I went in for a consultation on January 9, 2015. And after many, many consultations with other orthodontists, I finally found one that can treat my complicated case with invisalign.

My next appointment 1/27/15 I had digital scans taken and sent to Invisalign. The hygienist says the digital scans are better than the molds and they are both the same price (Not all ortho's offer digital). My aligners will arrive in around six weeks. I hade to pay $1193.20 up front. My no interest finance via orthobanc, offered to me at ortho office is set at $211.95 a month for 24 months.

I also told the ortho I am interested in Acceledent. I read about it on real self and heard it speeds up the process. The ortho says with Acceledentt I can change aligners every 5-7 days instead of every two weeks. It costs an additional $1350, he ordered it and I will pick it up the same day I pick up the aligners and pay for the acceledent in full that day.

I hate having to wait so long to begin treatment!

In addition to the gap between my two front teeth, I have an underbite and my upper front teeth are in crossbite behind the lower front teeth. I was born without the two teeth on both sides of my two front teeth, so after my invisalign treatment, I will need to get two implants or bridge to fill the spaces.

My treatment time is estimated at 18-24 months. But since I am going to use acceledent, hopefully my treatment time will be cut in half.

Im just ready to get this show on the road!

Got aligners 1 and 2 on 3/9/15. The package says 1 out of 42, OMG! I watched the clincheck video, my gap wont be closed until the very last few aligners, Bummer! The hygenist watched me put in tray #1 and take it out. She also demonstrated how to assemble the Acceledent and sent me on my way. My next appointment is in a month. I am to wear the aligners for 22hrs a day for two weeks. I was looking forward to changing every week, but the hygienist explained that eventually I will change the aligners every week, but not yet. I did notice a lisp when talking in the Ortho's office, gotta learn to get that under control. . LOL

I was able to put Tray #1 in and out really easily had no problems. Almost felt like it wasn't working. . .until I took them off to eat that night. Felt soreness and like my teeth were released from captivity, like taking off some really tight jeans, everything just relaxed. LOL!

I used the acceledent for the first time that night. I read the instructions that came with it. just bit down on the mouthpiece and relaxed my lips so my teeth did all the work holding the acceledent in place.
My lips get really dry, as you can probably see in the pics I posted, I have to get in the habit of carrying chapstick and using it. Nobody noticed the invisalign. I told my two best friends, my two sons, 1 co-worker (cause I didn't feel like going to the bathroom to take them out, I had to prepare her for what she was about to see, we only have a 30 minute lunch break). I told most of them out of excitement, but none of them noticed on their own. Not even my sons, and they are very observant. Or maybe people noticed and just didn't wanna say anything? hmmm. Oh well, guess I'll never know.

Changed to aligner #2 on 3/23/15. I put it in at night and then used the acceledent. Still no pain, just the soreness I mentioned when I take the aligner off to eat. So far no visible changes, but my gap does look smaller when I have the aligners on. My bite feels funny also, not uncomfortable just different.