Invisalign Newbie

I have been wanting invisalign for over 5 years now. I had braces when I was a teenager but stopped wearing my retainer and my teeth def shifted back. It honestly took a drunk looking at my teeth, proclaiming that they are "at least white" that finally made me take the plunge.

First off, I am very lucky. My dentist, who is amazing, said I am eligible for the express Invisalign. This means I'm allowed up to 20 trays and it will cost me no more than $2500. We can do more if they're needed but that will cost more. The clincheck they did showed perfect results so we will see where we are at after the first ten trays.

I got my first tray in yesterday. The worst part of the whole experience was the trimming of the buttons they had to do (softening the edges and making sure they aren't sharp) This wasn't even that bad until they got to one of my back teeth and it was painful enough for me to jerk away. This was NOT the fault of invisalign or the dentist. Due to hard brushing and grinding my teeth, that part of my gum has receded and is just starting to show the root. After my dentist took a piece of cotton and placed it over the exposed part, it went much smoother. Still a little painful but no where near as severe. I will probably have to do some bonding to cover that up and she admitted that we might want to numb that when the buttons have to come off. Again, I do not consider this an issue with invisalign but my own fault for brushing my teeth too hard.

Putting the trays in and taking them out for the first time is interesting. I didn't struggle very much but when they say these trays are snug, believe me, they are snug. Best recommendation is to let your fingernails grow a little so you can slip them under the edges. Second day in and I am getting better but its still a learning experience. Bottom trays are harder for me to remove then my upper ones.

I did feel pressure when they first got in. I consider this a good thing since it tells me they're doing their job. I was actually able to go out and have steak and steamed broccoli for dinner that night because the soreness honestly was not that severe. However putting them back in wasn't exactly a fun filled time either.

Now I am on the second day and def experiencing the pain I remember with braces. I believe I have a pretty decent tolerance for pain but putting these back in after brushing my teeth, coffee and breakfast was a bit wince worthy. My dentist was very thorough in explaining how to get them to seat right. What I have to do is put them back on but then he recommended pushing firmly up on them to make sure they fit. This was the worst part and caused some slight pulsating but when I do this, it helps make them even less noticeable because there isn't so much of a "drop" as he calls it, at the bottom of my teeth.

I did time it though and it took about three mins for my teeth to not ache as much once the liners were back in. Far more tolerable. This pain will make me hesitate before snacking because it just won't be worth it :)

Regarding the pain though. It was expected. I had it with braces and knew it was coming with these. You're teeth are being moved. Of course it's going to hurt. I am still excited over Invisalign and, so far, no one has noticed. I purposely didn't tell more then three people I was getting this done and even one of the people I told didn't even notice. I am anxious to see if anyone else does.

Lastly, the speech impediment. Yes, it does affect it slightly, and I mean slightly. My sister (the one I told I was doing this) didn't even notice when we spoke on the phone for 20 minutes. I think its something I actually notice more because I have them in but I don't think others will. We shall see on that front :)

Day three and I can admit I've had some moments where the pressure and achiness of my teeth have gotten to me a bit. Not enough for me to take them out but def a slight annoyance. It's all to be expected however and I'm still very very happy with them. I am ready for the soreness to be done. I think that's my own impatience because I recall that, with braces, my teeth were sore for about a week and here we are day three and I didn't have to take any aspirin.

On the other plus side, with braces, I was regulated to soft food but with Invisalign, I have been able to eat hard, crunchy foods from day one. The worst part is biting into a sandwich but once that food moves to my back teeth I am a happy chewer :)

I do have something to admit. I love tea. Have about three cups a day. Green tea, detox tea, fruit teas, you name it, I love it. It was extremely annoying to take out the liners, brush them, then my teeth every time I wanted a cup. So what I am doing instead is using a straw. I stick it to the back of my mouth and sip my tea making sure none of it hits my teeth. I'm going to talk to my dentist to see if this is absolutely horrible but as long as nothing is hitting my teeth, I don't see how it can be. I am flossing anytime I eat solid food, brushing and swishing my mouth out with Listerine. I feel like my mouth is sparkling let me tell you. It doesn't even bother me to do this except when it comes to my tea :)

Is anyone else using a straw?

I have pics of before and after coming soon. They're all on my phone :)