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POSTED UNDER Invisalign REVIEWS

Fingers Crossed! - Fort Thomas, KY

ORIGINAL POST

I've been wanting to do Invisalign for probably 8...

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urbanplan85February 21, 2013
WORTH IT$4,640

I've been wanting to do Invisalign for probably 8 or so years now and finally decided to take the plunge (at age 27). My parents thought my teeth weren't bad enough to warrant braces, but I've always wished they were straighter (we're our own worst critic, right?). I've done plenty of research in the past 8 years, so I'm pretty confident I know what I'm getting myself into. This website in particular has proved to be a really helpful resource for me and so I've decided to add my experience to the bunch in hopes to aid others in their Invisalign decision.

Back in January, I went to the orthodontist to have the scans and photos taken and today I went to have the attachments placed (11 total, 8 top, 3 bottom) and to receive my first 10 weeks of aligners. I have 30 on the top and 39 on the bottom (whew, that seems like a lot!) with 3 aligners tacked on at the end in case of any needed refinements. So far, I've just had the attachments on (without the aligners) and they really aren't bad at all; they are hardly noticeable and don't hurt or scratch my lips. I'm waiting until bed time tonight to start wearing my first aligner, as advised, and will update later this week with how my first days went.

Here are some specifics about my case: The cost is $4640 and my insurance will cover $1500. The total treatment time will be 78 - 84 weeks, so approx. 1 year 8 months. I'm seeing an Elite Invisalign provider, an orthodontist (not a dentist), who comes highly recommended. As of right now, my treatment plan doesn't show any IPR. As I update my review, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about the process.

I'm pretty exciting to begin this journey and am anxious for the final results. I hope it goes as smooth as possible!! So far, so good : )

urbanplan85's provider

Dr. Terry Gruelle

urbanplan85

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UPDATED FROM urbanplan85
1 day post

I've had my first trays in for two days now and am...

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urbanplan85February 22, 2013
I've had my first trays in for two days now and am experiencing some pretty tender teeth. The pain isn't terrible, just a lot of pressure and soreness. I've been able to get the aligners in and out alright, but it definitely hurts a bit while taking them out. Brushing and flossing 4-5 times a day is going to take a while to get used to, but I assume it will eventually become routine and won't be too big of a deal. This will definitely be the cleanest my teeth have ever been!! As far as the aligner itself; it hasn't scrapped the inside of my mouth or caused any sores. I produce more saliva than normal and have a tiny bit of a lisp. I was actually expecting the lisp to be a lot worse, but luckily it's not bad at all. I will post a picture of what my teeth look like with the aligners in when I get a chance. I think the attachments are more noticeable with the aligners in, than without, but still MUCH less conspicous than metal braces.

Replies (10)

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BethH
February 22, 2013

Good for you for taking the plunge!  We will be anxious to hear how the first few days went.  Have you experienced much discomfort?

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urbanplan85
February 22, 2013
The pain isn't terrible, just a lot of pressure and soreness. Some teeth are more tender than others. I've been taking Advil at night and occaisonally during the day. It's definitely manageable.
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CraftyMama
February 22, 2013
Not that it helps your pain, but I notice that my teeth, gums?, were tender right after a new set of trays. I have 10 trays remaining for my top teeth (bottoms are done), and now it seems like the pain is with every other top set. My ortho did say that as the teeth got more straight, there would be less pain and the trays would be easier to remove. He's right. I have informed my husband I only eat soft food for the first couple days of each tray. Breakfast is cream of wheat and lunch and dinner might be spaghetti or soup. So far, I'm surviving. And, you really do develop a routine that works for you in regards to brushing/flossing. My teeth stay whiter and my hygenist is amazed at how great my gums and teeth are (I get my teeth cleaned every 4 months just to make sure I'm not developing any problems due to wearing Invisalign). Good luck. The time will fly by (I'm beginning month 9 and it seems like just a couple months ago that I started).
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urbanplan85
February 24, 2013
I sure hope time flies by! Thanks for your advice and comment. Good luck with the rest of your treatment!
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BethH
February 22, 2013

Glad to hear the pain is manageable.  Hopefully over time it will subside and you know what to expect next time. Keep us posted on your progress!

Bitter1
February 26, 2013
Hi Fingers Crossed! I am excited for you and I am glad to see someone else online is being treated by Dr Gruelle, he is so awesome and I love his enthusiasm and knowledge of Invisalign. Being a Top 1% provider he has experienced many different cases and his confidence sold me from the very beginning. Anyway, I wanted to shoot you a message of Congrats for choosing Invisalign and wish you the best. I am on tray 19 of 26 and have truly settled into a routine (as you will too over time... ) I am glad to hear you have conquered the best method of In/Out of the aligners that works best for you! That is half the battle! Your teeth look great, keep us posted on your progress!
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urbanplan85
February 26, 2013
Hi! Thanks for your message! My husband was a patient of Dr. Gruelle's as a kid and his teeth look amazing. But I came across Gruelle when doing research on Invisalign's website and told my husband I was going to check him out for Invisalign because of his top 1% status. It was only then that I found out that he did my husband's teeth! Kinda funny! I really like him so far and I have a lot of confidence in his ability. Now, I just have to be patient, 39 aligners seems like forever! I'm currently deciding on the best method to keep my aligners clean. Seems like everyone has their own method they think works best. Good luck with the rest of your treatment; you're almost done!!
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CraftyMama
February 27, 2013
Like you said, everyone has their own cleaning methods. Just in case you want to try it...I use about 2/3 water to 1/3 peroxide (just enough to cover the trays) and soak the trays when I'm at home. Then I lightly brush them, using a bit of mouthwash to make them "smell" better. Been doing it for 8 months with no problems, and they stay bright as ever. I also have been wearing my final bottom tray for over 2 months now and they look just as nice/clean as my new top ones. Thought I would share...just in case you want to try it. BTW, I get the peroxide at Dollar Tree. Cheap price.
Bitter1
February 27, 2013
Oh wow it's a small world huh? It's cool that your husband was treated by the Dr as a kid and his teeth still look amazing.... it really shows the level of skill the Dr has! I just give my aligners a quick scrub with my toothbrush each night before I go to bed as part of my night time routine and that works pretty good with keeping them clean. You'll find a routine that works best for you through trial and error and before you know it you'll do it without even thinking! I am still amazed at how many people don't even notice that I am wearing Invisalign... Have you found that to be true with you as well? Unless I tell someone they have no idea, that's why I love it so much! Also, the aligners kinda camouflage the issues so I never wanted to take them off :)
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urbanplan85
February 27, 2013
Most people don't seem to notice, unless of course I point it out. I think the attachments would be what people would notice because I have them towards the front of my mouth, but even then, only if they're right up next to me. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how invisable they really are! So much better than metal braces! I bought Efferdent and have been dropping my aligners in that every other day and then taking a baby toothbrush and brushing the little bit of plaque that builds up. Other than that, I've just been rinsing and brushing them with water. Seems to work pretty well so far. Thanks CraftyMama and Bitter1 for your cleaning advice. I've heard a lot of people use peroxide.
UPDATED FROM urbanplan85
11 days post

I'm about at the end of my first set of trays. I...

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urbanplan85March 4, 2013
I'm about at the end of my first set of trays. I change to my 2nd trays on Wednesday. The trays were pretty tight for the first 10 days or so, then they began to loosen up a bit in the back. They are still tight where I have attachments, but no pain and no sensitivity when eating. The hardest thing with Invisalign thus far has been the inability to snack before dinner and in between meals and constantly feeling like I have to rush. I've been super strict with myself and have kept the aligners in for exactly 22 hours each day, which can be quite difficult, but I don't want my treatment to be any longer than it needs to be! Overall, it hasn't been too tough getting into a routine and I like my teeth feeling super clean all the time. I've managed to keep my aligners clean by using an Efferdent tablet once a day (while the trays are out for a meal), followed by light brushing and then brushing the trays with water all other times. I always floss then brush after each meal. I will post progress of my teeth after I've completed a few more trays, not many visible changes after just one tray!

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