POSTED UNDER Invisalign Reviews
26 with Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisor Final Getting Invisalign! - Metairie, LA
ORIGINAL POST
I am 26 and have been self conscious of my teeth...
w0379663May 27, 2015
WORTH IT$5,500
I am 26 and have been self conscious of my teeth for as log as I can remember. My left maxillary lateral incisor never Grew in after the baby tooth fell out. Apparently this is congential and I'm lucky I'm only missing one. Since that tooth is missing it left room for the rest of my upper teeth to space out and become crooked. As I've gottwn older they have continued to space out and slant. I have never been able to smile with my teeth showing, not even for my wedding. I'm just too self conscious.
Growing up, my family didn't have much money. My parents worked hard to provide us with what was needed but unfortunately, dental insurance wasn't a necessity. So, I had never seen a dentist in my entire life until this year! But more about that later.
I was so self conscious about my teeth as a child, I didn't talk to anyone about it, including my parent. I remember a specific instance in middle school, after being made fun of when I finally worked up the courage to ale my mom for braces. Upon asking her, I remember her telling me that she was sure her and my dad could work something out, but..... To just go ask him! It had taken everything I had to work up the nerve to ask her, no way I was about to talk about it again to my dad. I was already so embarrassed just bringing it up to her. Needless to say, I never mentioned it again.
As time went on, I became more and more self conscious of my teeth and better at hiding them when talking/smiling. The older I got the more I knew I would NEVER have traditional braces. I was already so embarrassed about my teeth and then to think I would be putting them on display and drawing attention with a mouth full of metal... Not gonna happen.
The first time I seen the commercial for Invisalign I was so excited! There was my opportunity. I HAD to have them. I did research for a long time but could never work up the courage to ask my parents to pay for that.
When I went on to collage, I told my self when I have a real job I would pay for them myself. Once I graduated college and began working as and RN the first thing I did was sign up for DENTAL INSURANCE! I was so excited. I was finally going to fix my teeth. But by this time, I was married and had spent my entire relationship avoiding the topic of my teeth. So I was still too embarrassed to do anything about them. It wasn't until this year, when one of my wisdom teeth began to give me trouble that I finally for the first time in my life seen a dentist!
Perfect segue to casually bring up my dental HEALTH to my hubs without focusing on the LOOKS of my teeth. SO, go to the dentist, get my wisdom teeth out and guess who my dentist is.... Super hot, young doc. My worst nightmare ???? and to make it even worse, he says to me "well for this being the first time to the dentist, your teeth are pretty heathy, but have you ever considered braces" ugh I was so embarrassed.
So on my way home, I call the first orthodontist that pops up on google in my area and make an appointment! Fortunately, she also happened to be one of the top rated orthodontist in my area. Go see her the very next week and go over my options with her.
I was so excited when she told me Invisalign would work for my case, I almost hugged her. so I paid my deposit and had my mold made that day.
Now all I had to do was find a way to tell the hubs that my entire life I've hated my teeth so I decided to go see and orthodontist and throw 5 grand on my teeth white out ever even mentioning it to him..... Yea that was an awkward conversation. But it was obvious how self conscious I was of my teeth and he is so supportive. I love that man!
Well, I had my molds made on 3/27/15 they were sent off on 3/30/15 and the Invisalign trays came in on 5/20/15. The wait was horrible! I'm sure I drove them crazy in the ortho office. Can't tell you how many times I called to check if they were in, even though they endured me they would call me AS SOON as they arrive. Lol. So today makes one week of wearing my aligners.
I don't have my attachments on yet, I go back this friday for that. 5/29. I will have 51 weeks of aligners. I'm pretty sure I'm getting 8 attachments on top and 6 on bottom, from what I count on the aligners I have now.
The first week of wearing them wasn't too bad. The 2nd and 3rd my teeth were sore enough for me to take some Advil but one dose in the am took care of that. I know they will be much more sore when the attachments go on since they trays will be a little more snug.
As for keeping them on like I'm supposed to, I'm doing pretty well. I would read online how people would say, "it's impossible to wear the trays as long as they recommend a day" which per my doc is 22hrs. I always thought that 22 hrs sounded reasonableness and there was no way I would be able to follow those instruction to the tee. Well.... Let's just say I understand those online reviews a littler better now.
I've only had a few issues. One was when I went iut for a friends birthday lunch that turned into an eight hour ordeal. They kept going in and out of my mouth. I have no idea the total length I didn't wear them that day. And my only other issue is at work. I'm an RN and work in the hospital 12 he shifts and I'm lucky if I get a lunch most days. My problem is after I eat, having the time to do the proper mouth care before I put them back in. Most days I only have enough time to rinse the trays and swish my mouth out with water and pop them back in. Luckily that's only about three times a week.
Otherwise, I'm doing well with the other restrictions. Only drink water while they are in and now snacking to where I have to take them in and out. Prior to the Invisalign, I only ever drank water and tea, so I do tea at mealtime. The no snacking is hard because I work out a lot and normally eat every three hours with small snacks In between, but I'm sticking with the rule!
Can't wait for my attachments Friday and will update once they are on! Sorry this was such a long post but it's the first time in 26 years I was able to open about my teeth! Had a lot to get out ????
Growing up, my family didn't have much money. My parents worked hard to provide us with what was needed but unfortunately, dental insurance wasn't a necessity. So, I had never seen a dentist in my entire life until this year! But more about that later.
I was so self conscious about my teeth as a child, I didn't talk to anyone about it, including my parent. I remember a specific instance in middle school, after being made fun of when I finally worked up the courage to ale my mom for braces. Upon asking her, I remember her telling me that she was sure her and my dad could work something out, but..... To just go ask him! It had taken everything I had to work up the nerve to ask her, no way I was about to talk about it again to my dad. I was already so embarrassed just bringing it up to her. Needless to say, I never mentioned it again.
As time went on, I became more and more self conscious of my teeth and better at hiding them when talking/smiling. The older I got the more I knew I would NEVER have traditional braces. I was already so embarrassed about my teeth and then to think I would be putting them on display and drawing attention with a mouth full of metal... Not gonna happen.
The first time I seen the commercial for Invisalign I was so excited! There was my opportunity. I HAD to have them. I did research for a long time but could never work up the courage to ask my parents to pay for that.
When I went on to collage, I told my self when I have a real job I would pay for them myself. Once I graduated college and began working as and RN the first thing I did was sign up for DENTAL INSURANCE! I was so excited. I was finally going to fix my teeth. But by this time, I was married and had spent my entire relationship avoiding the topic of my teeth. So I was still too embarrassed to do anything about them. It wasn't until this year, when one of my wisdom teeth began to give me trouble that I finally for the first time in my life seen a dentist!
Perfect segue to casually bring up my dental HEALTH to my hubs without focusing on the LOOKS of my teeth. SO, go to the dentist, get my wisdom teeth out and guess who my dentist is.... Super hot, young doc. My worst nightmare ???? and to make it even worse, he says to me "well for this being the first time to the dentist, your teeth are pretty heathy, but have you ever considered braces" ugh I was so embarrassed.
So on my way home, I call the first orthodontist that pops up on google in my area and make an appointment! Fortunately, she also happened to be one of the top rated orthodontist in my area. Go see her the very next week and go over my options with her.
I was so excited when she told me Invisalign would work for my case, I almost hugged her. so I paid my deposit and had my mold made that day.
Now all I had to do was find a way to tell the hubs that my entire life I've hated my teeth so I decided to go see and orthodontist and throw 5 grand on my teeth white out ever even mentioning it to him..... Yea that was an awkward conversation. But it was obvious how self conscious I was of my teeth and he is so supportive. I love that man!
Well, I had my molds made on 3/27/15 they were sent off on 3/30/15 and the Invisalign trays came in on 5/20/15. The wait was horrible! I'm sure I drove them crazy in the ortho office. Can't tell you how many times I called to check if they were in, even though they endured me they would call me AS SOON as they arrive. Lol. So today makes one week of wearing my aligners.
I don't have my attachments on yet, I go back this friday for that. 5/29. I will have 51 weeks of aligners. I'm pretty sure I'm getting 8 attachments on top and 6 on bottom, from what I count on the aligners I have now.
The first week of wearing them wasn't too bad. The 2nd and 3rd my teeth were sore enough for me to take some Advil but one dose in the am took care of that. I know they will be much more sore when the attachments go on since they trays will be a little more snug.
As for keeping them on like I'm supposed to, I'm doing pretty well. I would read online how people would say, "it's impossible to wear the trays as long as they recommend a day" which per my doc is 22hrs. I always thought that 22 hrs sounded reasonableness and there was no way I would be able to follow those instruction to the tee. Well.... Let's just say I understand those online reviews a littler better now.
I've only had a few issues. One was when I went iut for a friends birthday lunch that turned into an eight hour ordeal. They kept going in and out of my mouth. I have no idea the total length I didn't wear them that day. And my only other issue is at work. I'm an RN and work in the hospital 12 he shifts and I'm lucky if I get a lunch most days. My problem is after I eat, having the time to do the proper mouth care before I put them back in. Most days I only have enough time to rinse the trays and swish my mouth out with water and pop them back in. Luckily that's only about three times a week.
Otherwise, I'm doing well with the other restrictions. Only drink water while they are in and now snacking to where I have to take them in and out. Prior to the Invisalign, I only ever drank water and tea, so I do tea at mealtime. The no snacking is hard because I work out a lot and normally eat every three hours with small snacks In between, but I'm sticking with the rule!
Can't wait for my attachments Friday and will update once they are on! Sorry this was such a long post but it's the first time in 26 years I was able to open about my teeth! Had a lot to get out ????
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm so happy you're taking this step for yourself after all this time. I'm sure others are excited to follow your journey as well, so please do keep us posted with photos and updates. You might also enjoy this post from the community Forum.