My Invisalign Journey - Melbourne, AU

(Week One): So like many others, I have just begun my invisalign journey. I have had them in less than 24 hours and they are fairly painful so I am hoping that the pain subsides in the next day or so. I have 14 attachments that all happen to be at the front of my teeth and now I am feeling like maybe I should have gone for braces since the invisalign is reasonably noticable anyway. I was annoyed that my orthodontist did not inform me beforehand that the attachments would be in front, but anyway - no pain no gain right? I also felt like I was part of a cattle run the way the appointment was conducted but I guess I will see how things run in future appointments and give them the benefit of the doubt. I have a slight lisp, which I am guessing is normal. I am already looking forward to getting them off, the orthodontist has estimated that the process will take between 6-12months so I am hoping it goes fast.

It has now been just over a week with my Invisalign. It took me a good 5 days to get used to them being in my mouth. In fact when I do have them out I feel a little lost without them. The pain is now bearable, and I have accepted the fact that I can no longer be a grazer. I have even gotten used to the look of them and no longer feel self conscious about them. I actually don't mind the look since it makes me look younger. I went out to dinner with them for the first time on the weekend which was quite an experience (especially because I was on a first date). My date ordered us an entree to start and I was thinking - I really hope that the time between entree and main isn't too long so I don't have to take my Invisalign in and out for each course. When the waitress placed my wine on the table it was difficult not to take a sip till the entree arrived being nervous and all. I know they say to only drink water with them in so I really didn't want to break the rules, especially this early in the treatment. Luckily the entree AND main came out at the same time and with that I quickly rushed off to the bathroom to take out my aligners (or as I have started calling them, my fangs). Eating dinner was fine, but I found myself scoffing it all down so I could quickly put my aligners back in - so I didn't really get to enjoy or saviour the meal per say. I went to the bathroom and felt a little odd brushing my teeth at a restaurant - so instead I used a dental flosser and a small bottle of mouth wash, unsure if it's the right thing to do but it worked out ok. I had a dinner party the other night with a couple of girlfriends. We made mini pizzas and whilst they were picking at topping when they were making pizzas I had to fight my urge not to. Although when it came to making dessert, I slipped and put a flake of pastry in my mouth. It was only a little so it wasn't a big deal - and even when it came to cleaning my teeth I couldn't find any pastry stuck in my aligners. I'm still on soft foods which is a pain but I'm looking forward to moving onto the second tray in a few days.

I am now up to my second tray. I have found that my lips have been really chapped moreso in the last two weeks (unsure if anyone else has had this experience?) I am already looking forward to tray three. I have found at the start of the second tray that it cut right into my gum but it has since subsided. I have found that I hardly notice them in my mouth anymore and even had a throat lolly by accident whilst having them in. But other than that mishap I have been really good with them.