POSTED UNDER Invisalign REVIEWS
Invisalign...at 55!! - Concord, CA
ORIGINAL POST
Day one: 05/16/14. My 55th birthday was yesterday...
GweniferMay 16, 2014
$3,500
Day one: 05/16/14. My 55th birthday was yesterday. I grew up in a rather poor household and my mom knew I needed braces but didn't have the money. I had a lot of teeth pulled out to make room, and the remaining teeth settled into position. At least they were no longer stacked literally on top of each other.
The left side got straighter than the right, but the center top incisors were out in front, and that didn't change. The first incisor on the right next to the center stayed back, but the canine teeth at least dropped down into a semi-normal position. They were way high and nearly sticking straight out when I was a kid. I have no photos because I wouldn't allow anyone to take pictures that showed my teeth.
So I got aligners 1 today and am supposed to wear them 20-22 hours a day and go back in 2 weeks for the attachments. I really have a hard time getting them in, and out, and I'm sure this gets easier with time.
I'll be back to report more when there is more to report!
The left side got straighter than the right, but the center top incisors were out in front, and that didn't change. The first incisor on the right next to the center stayed back, but the canine teeth at least dropped down into a semi-normal position. They were way high and nearly sticking straight out when I was a kid. I have no photos because I wouldn't allow anyone to take pictures that showed my teeth.
So I got aligners 1 today and am supposed to wear them 20-22 hours a day and go back in 2 weeks for the attachments. I really have a hard time getting them in, and out, and I'm sure this gets easier with time.
I'll be back to report more when there is more to report!
Replies (21)
May 18, 2014
Congrats Gwenifer. I am turning 54 today, the 18th. I started Invisalign on March 24th, and am on my 3rd set now. I have no attachments yet, but I think I will be getting some soon. You will be so happy. I think this will be life changing for you !!!
May 19, 2014
Well happy birthday to you too! I'm supposed to get the attachments at my next visit. The bubbles are there, so I know where they are going, and there are 17 of them.
May 18, 2014
I gave myself invisalign for my 64 for birthday. The best gift I have ever had!!!!! I think the more mature invisalign users have an easier time! At least that is what I have seen on this site.
May 19, 2014
I'm looking forward to the process. I've thought of this for a long time but thought it would be financially unattainable. Fortunately I now have ortho coverage, so that helps.
May 18, 2014
Happy birthday! All the best during your treatment. Discipline is the key. And settling into a rhythm. And then there's the reward of straight teeth! I just smile with my mouth shut for now. I'm on 3rd set. And I have to work hard to get my aligners in and out too. But they eventually do! Good luck.
May 19, 2014
No attachments for me (adam1995), but I am pretty sure that I will get a
few soon. I am going to ask at my next appointment.
May 19, 2014
I have 20 attachments. (More than most people apparently) My dentist put them on the first day so I had them right from the start. I see many people get them later. Not sure what the advantage is getting them on later, except to help acclimatize you to your new mouth.
May 18, 2014
Hello, how many aligners do you have for your initial treatment?
May 21, 2014
Hi. I read your blog and you're quite an inspiration! I was told there would be 48, and it would take about 18 months.
I've had my first set since the 16th of May, and there are bubbles in 17 places. I was told the attachments would be done at next Friday's appt, that they wanted me to get accustomed to wearing them and putting them in and out before attachments were done.
Now that I've figured out how to remove them with just my fingers I'm thinking I will have a hard time again when the attachments are in place.
Question about attachments: this is filling material attached to my teeth then filed off. That doesn't leave a mark or damage my teeth?
UPDATED FROM Gwenifer
3 days post
Day 4
GweniferMay 20, 2014
I thought I should mention that I have a treatment plan of 48 aligners and my expected treatment is supposed to be 17-18 months.
Work from home today lasted for about 2 hours, then PG&E turned off the power for maintenance. I was prepared for this. I’d already showered and dressed, so I just grabbed my computer and went to Starbucks.
What I wasn’t prepared for and I’ll have to get used to, is being out all day and having to deal with taking the Invisalign out to eat/drink and then put them back in. It doesn’t hurt to put them in, and I’ve got pretty good at it, but I do have to use the special tool to remove the lower one. Both of them are not real comfortable to remove but to put them in is fine. Interestingly enough, I can feel when they’re not in, like when they’re in I definitely know they’re there, and my tongue is getting a little bit sore on the right so I think my tongue has to get used to them being there.
I’m really nervous about them becoming an incubator for bacteria and getting cavities, so I sat there at Starbucks sipping my water for as long as I could and at noon I just couldn’t take it any more and I took them out and ate half of a sausage sandwich. I went to the restroom and used the Colgate Wisp I had in my bag on my teeth and the aligners, and then rinsed and spit several times before putting them back in. The power was still out when I was ready for dinner so I followed the same procedure. Now I’m home and I’m headed in to clean everything and put them in for the night.
I guess this all gets easier and more automatic with time, huh?
Work from home today lasted for about 2 hours, then PG&E turned off the power for maintenance. I was prepared for this. I’d already showered and dressed, so I just grabbed my computer and went to Starbucks.
What I wasn’t prepared for and I’ll have to get used to, is being out all day and having to deal with taking the Invisalign out to eat/drink and then put them back in. It doesn’t hurt to put them in, and I’ve got pretty good at it, but I do have to use the special tool to remove the lower one. Both of them are not real comfortable to remove but to put them in is fine. Interestingly enough, I can feel when they’re not in, like when they’re in I definitely know they’re there, and my tongue is getting a little bit sore on the right so I think my tongue has to get used to them being there.
I’m really nervous about them becoming an incubator for bacteria and getting cavities, so I sat there at Starbucks sipping my water for as long as I could and at noon I just couldn’t take it any more and I took them out and ate half of a sausage sandwich. I went to the restroom and used the Colgate Wisp I had in my bag on my teeth and the aligners, and then rinsed and spit several times before putting them back in. The power was still out when I was ready for dinner so I followed the same procedure. Now I’m home and I’m headed in to clean everything and put them in for the night.
I guess this all gets easier and more automatic with time, huh?
Replies (2)
May 23, 2014
Hi there, I am 57, on tray 23 of 29!!!! I didn't have toooo much work to be done, but I did have a pretty good overlap on my two front upper teeth. That's gone now and the bottom, which only needed 14 trays have been done for a while and look great. Every night while I eat dinner, I put my trays in Polident 3 minute for 30 minutes or so. I brush my teeth then brush the tray, and they seem to stay better that way for me. I tried several things to clean them, and this works the best for me with the least effort. My ortho also said water was enough, but that was not doing it for me to keep them relatively clean for 2 weeks. My first week I went out and bought two little pouches that I keep a toothbrush, paste, floss in. One bag goes in purse to go out with and the other stays in my drawer at the office. It's a hassle, but after lunch I brush and put them back in. I never put them back in without brushing first. I certainly don't snack as much anymore because of the hassle of brushing... If we go out to eat, I just take them out and brush up in the restaurant restroom. It's not the best, but I can live with it for now. I am really happy with the outcome so far. There is very little pain past the first 15-20 minutes these days with a new tray. Glad to be past those first few days. They were pretty miserable and I had serious doubts about my decision. Hang tough, you will be glad you did!
May 23, 2014
I'm glad to hear the Polident works daily. I was just using it weekly because I was afraid to use it too often since the professionals don't appear to recommend its usage.
UPDATED FROM Gwenifer
9 days post
Day 10...still tray set 1
GweniferMay 25, 2014
So I have had no issues. No pain, no problems whatsoever with wearing these. But, I accidentally threw them away. Twice. My dentist office did not give me a container of any kind, and both incidents were ones where I took them out for a meal and out them on a napkin, then covered them with another napkin since I wasn't eating alone. The first time I was at the kitchen table and after putting the dishes in the dishwasher I wanted to brush and put them back in and realized what I'd done. No biggie...still on too of the trash. But the second time was at a fast food place and I (fortunately) caught myself before dropping the tray's contents because fishing in a public trash can is just...well...icky to out it mildly and then the thought of putting something in my mouth afterwards is just nasty. I have the ziplock pouch they came in and now, no matter where I'm sitting down to eat, that's where they go.
Potential problem: the farthest back left lower molar is next to an empty spot since I'm missing a tooth there. Two issues and I'll check with the dentist on Friday when I go back for visit #2 but that one has never felt like it sits well. It actually looks like it's folded over and I don't know if it's always been that way or if I did it. Second issue with that part of the tray is the spacer looks really nasty inside of it and the brushes of the toothbrush don't get into that space. I've tried rolling up the corner of a washcloth, and that doesn't fit. Any ideas what I could use to clean that space?
Potential problem: the farthest back left lower molar is next to an empty spot since I'm missing a tooth there. Two issues and I'll check with the dentist on Friday when I go back for visit #2 but that one has never felt like it sits well. It actually looks like it's folded over and I don't know if it's always been that way or if I did it. Second issue with that part of the tray is the spacer looks really nasty inside of it and the brushes of the toothbrush don't get into that space. I've tried rolling up the corner of a washcloth, and that doesn't fit. Any ideas what I could use to clean that space?
Replies (6)
May 26, 2014
Cheap way of cleaning and most effective, bicarb soda and white vinegar. Good luck :)
May 26, 2014
You should have received a case. Two, in fact. Next time you visit your dentist, ask them where your case is. Not having one can be problematic, for the exact reasons you posted here.
May 26, 2014
Yep, what she said. I've never heard of not getting at least one case. It comes inside the box.
May 26, 2014
When you talk about the spacer, is that a pontic? Like a little fake tooth they put in there? Are you planning on getting an implant there in the future? Otherwise I'm not sure why they're working to keep the space open.
May 27, 2014
The space is being kept open for a future bridge, and it's just part of th I have one bridge upper left and at some point will have two more, both on the bottom, so the spaces are kept open for that.
I kept messing with the area that appeared to be folded and sure enough, it's really soft right there and wants to just bend rather than go over the tooth. I un-bent it but I have to keep doing that.
I'm going to see if I can get in before Friday to have them look at it.
So far not impressed with this dental office...no cleaning instructions provided, no case, really no information other than the written checklist. I'll be having a conversation at the next visit I'm sure as it will be longer. She's doing the attachments that day.
We have a number of Invisaligners who are in their forties, fifties, and sixties right now. It's really exciting! The number is growing every week :). Here are some of them, if you'd like to meet them!
humbleoracle is our newest and just a few years younger than you. Nicky.j is 44. Then we have fab45mom, Kristen1166 (47), and shepherdqueen is 48 and just started with her son at the same time! AreYouKiddingMe is 50, and finally,sheemoho is 60. They're all super-friendly!
You are, of course, welcome to talk to anyone in the community :D. We also have three RealFriends who are great--supportive, fonts of knowledge, and very active. They are mlb502, PreOrtho, and viktoriajv.
I look forward to following your progress, and if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to let me know :).