27 Year Old Female with Crowded Teeth - Norwich, GB

Hello, today is also my first day with invisalign, I'm in the UK, too (with two toddlers so I know what you mean). I don't find it so bad - taking in and out is a pain (literally) but otherwise pleased that they are hardly noticeable and I don't lisp as bad as I feared I would. Like you I had braces before, both pros and cons I guess. Hope it will get better for you.

Thanks for joining us, Rachel!  The aching should dissipate somewhat over the next couple of days.  Usually it's 2-3 for a new aligner, with occasional outliers.  In the future, it's helpful to put in a new tray just after your evening hygiene, so that you won't need to take it out for a good 8 hours at a stretch.  The pain during those initial 8 hours is much worse :).  Also, did your doctor give you aligner chewies? 

As for the toddler, I feel your pain :).  I had toddler twins while I was doing this (and a 5-year-old).  I found that it didn't really make a difference, because you save time on meals ;).  In other words, you try to eat as few meals as possible, so you can spend as little time on hygiene as possible, and all that extra time is used on your kids, so it's kind of a wash.  I'm the least organized person on the planet, but even I was able to make it work.  I never managed a consistent schedule or anything, but you get used to it.  Just know that the days of grazing--if you ever did that--are over. No more finishing up all the uneaten meals your kids leave throughout the day.  Maybe you don't do that, but I used to, LOL!

I look forward to following your progress!  When you get your attachments--assuming you will--the pain will probably be a little worse again for a while.  How much is your overbite, by the way?  My daughter is in Damon braces and has a 100% overbite, but I can't see yours cause your mouth is open :D.

Rachel, your crossed front teeth are not as bad as mine. I'm doing this at 65. I hate it but it is a necessary evil. I don't have bands though. I wonder why. Good luck to you.

Hi Rachel, you gave the same ortho as me !! And you are in good hands, he is a perfectionist ! It's very early days and all this feeling of being overwhelmed will go don't worry . I had a hell of a time with the Elastics more than the retainer itself . I emailed Dr Brook at midnight telling him I'd had enough and that they wouldn't stay put. He was very sweet and really put me at ease. Aswell as arranging a metal hook to be attached to stop them pinging off at any given opportunity. What has encouraged me this whole time is documenting the changes with pictures . I didn't see any real change until around tray 12. But you have to stick at it. I have been told I'll need 33 trays and I'm on my 19th now . Good luck :)

Hi Rachel, I've just had my impressions done so waiting for my clincheck and treatment plan. I have an awful feeling that I will need elastics too. I had elastics with my metal brace in school and it was awful then. Just keep telling yourself it'll all be worth it in the end!