41 Year Old Male from Long Island, NY. Franklin Square, NY

I have always wanted straight teeth but never wanted metal braces. My teeth were never that bad and look straight from a front view but looking at my side profile my front tooth stuck out and I figured now is the time to do something about it. So my journey started on 11/2. That is when I went in for my first of 16 trays. I waited about 5 weeks after my impressions were sent to clear correct. The first day wearing the tray was so miserable that I thought I could never do this for almost a whole year. The pain is not an issue at all, it was the lisp that was driving me crazy and the dry mouth and not to mention I thought everyone was staring at me, even though they are almost impossible to notice. I am writing this a few days after I started tray 2 and I can tell you the lisp is gone, the dry mouth is a lot better and I forget I am even wearing them. Once you get past the first week you will be fine, you must give your mouth and yourself time to get used to it. It will definitely get better. When I started tray 2, I felt some pressure and tightness, but nothing too bad at all that you will not be able to deal with. After 2-3 days you will not even know they are in your mouth. I need 5 engagers when I start tray 3, which I'm hoping doesn't make them noticeable because it's been almost 4 weeks and not one person has noticed I have braces. I also need a few IPRs but not sure when that is supposed to happen. I will update in a few days. Good luck to all starting your journey!!

Yesterday I had 5 engagers and 2 IPRs. It only took 20 minutes and did not hurt at all. The engagers make the trays extremely tight causing a lot pressure. I had this done yesterday morning before work and I am writing this the day after and I feel perfectly fine (just slight pressure). The engagers feel horrible like sandpaper when the trays are not in but it's not that bad overall and you will get used to the way they feel after 24 hours. They are barely noticeable. Getting them out is difficult since I was a pro getting my last two trays out with ease. I was really worried about the trays and engagers being visible but it really is not an issue at all. So if you are worrying about it - don't be, it doesn't hurt and is not that noticeable. I have not seen much change in my teeth yet but it's still early in the process. I think I should start to see some changes soon since the IPR is giving space for my teeth to move.

I just started my 16th and final tray of my treatment. I am extremely satisfied at the results. Here is the progress so far from tray 1 to tray 16. The whole process has been great and never had any issues with trays fitting or cutting my gums. A couple of times my tongue would hurt on the side from rubbing on the tray, but that wouldn't last long. The IPRs are a non issue as well. I read horror stories on here about other clear correct users and it would put all this fear and anxiety in me, but never had any issues. I always have my trays in unless I'm eating, I never keep them out any longer than I have to. Brushing after eating everything is a hassle but I'm so used to it that I don't even think about it anymore. I will do a whitening treatment when I'm done hopefully in 2.5 weeks and also have to decide on a permanent retainer or removable trays as the retainer. Does anyone have any suggestions on the retainer? I will post more pics soon.