Update: on tray set #34

So I'm on my 4th full set of Invisalign. The first 3 sets were 40ish sets of trays EACH, top and bottom. This 4th set is only 20 trays because I said that's all the more I'm willing to , and then I'm pulling the plug. I currently have 24 attachments and also wear rubber bands on both sides.

My son began traditional braces a year after I started Invisalign, and was done with them 6 months ago, and his teeth are absolutely perfect. I know he is young and his teeth hadn't been crooked for 40 years but it makes my Invisalign experience a little frustrating!

Invisalign has been great at straightening teeth (accomplished in the very first set). It is not as good at fixing alignment and bite, which is what the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th sets of trays have been trying to accomplish. I have never missed a day in 3.5 years, never forgotten them, wear them as directed. Even my orthodontist, who is a "Premier" provider of Invisalign doesn't know what else to do at this point. So I'm calling it and they're as good as they'll get. Which is way better than they were at the beginning but certainly not perfect.

So if you have any issues other than pure straightening, ask yourself if "pretty good" is good enough for you? Downside is that they are less effective at solving certain issues. Upside is it's nice to be able to take them off to brush and floss. My job requires lots of teaching and talking and meetings and it has been nice to pop them off if I want to.

Am currently on tray set #34, top and bottom. My original treatment is 36 trays top and bottom, with 6 more for overcorrection. The current plan is to do new molds after #36, for a revision that should put the finishing touches on my teeth, I'm guessing another 6 months or so. It's been a long journey, and apparently will be even longer! However, I'm very happy with the results so far and it has definitely improved my self confidence. I love smiling in photos now! The photo I am attaching shows me smiling at a friend's wedding in November 2012 at about tray set #31, showing all my teeth, something I never used to do! If you were to blow it up and look closely you can see some of the attachements on some of the side teeth, but you have to really be looking for them.

My son got metal braces this past summer so it has been interesting to compare. They were pretty much the exact same price. I think mine are definitely easier to keep clean but he doesn't have to really think about his (which is why he has the metal ones, that he can't lose!). As a 40 year old woman I would be very self conscious with the metal ones but he blends right in at school as a 12 year old!

On tray set 7. Don't see anything happening which is frustrating, but my bite is definitely off and my teeth are hitting each other in new places so something must be moving. I will have 34 trays on bottom and 36-42 trays on top so still have time to see something happen! Trays are tight the first day, then after that they pop off and on easily. Makes it tempting to move to the next tray earlier than two weeks, but I will be good and follow the directions :-)