POSTED UNDER Invisalign REVIEWS
Invisalign at 47, Never Had Braces Before. So Far, So Good. - Park Ridge, IL
ORIGINAL POST
Hello everyone. I am a 47 year old married mom of...
$5,100
Hello everyone. I am a 47 year old married mom of 4. I decided to get Invisalign because I have always wanted straighter teeth than what I have. We had extra money in our flexible spending account at the end of 2013 so instead of losing it, I put it to good use and committed to Invisalign. My teeth are ok but the bottom ones are really getting crowded as I am getting older. I did not have my wisdom teeth removed until I was in my early 30's and I think that added to the crowding.
I know that some dentists do this procedure but my own dentist does not so I went to the orthodontist that my teen girls went to for braces. And now that I have researched more into this process, I believe orthodontist may have an edge over regular dentists. This orthodontist is a perfectionist. He wants the absolute best result for his patients.
So going in for the first visit to do the molds to send to Invisalign, I had an idea what to expect because of this website. It is a bit tedious to have those molds done. I have tmj problems so it was uncomfortable. I wish I had taken a few ibuprofen before hand so that my jaw wasn't so sore afterward.
My first trays came in and I put them in on January 29. I noticed that the trays are marked and numbered on the back teeth. This is good to make them more visible in the white bathroom sink :). I will have a total of 18 trays. I am now on tray 3. I get attachments on March 12 for tray 4.
I have some slight discomfort but it is not too bad. I do find it harder to eat crunchy, thicker foods like tortilla chips and pretzels because my teeth are sore. I work full time but I am in a car most of the day, 12 hour shifts so getting to a bathroom to brush my teeth is a challenge. It has stopped me from indiscriminate snacking so that is a plus! I have sometimes been unable to brush after eating so I always have a big bottle of water with me. I swish out my mouth really good and sometimes use those disposable tooth brushes (Colgate Wisps). I have even found these at the the dollar stores so check around.
I grind my teeth at night so these trays have helped me from grinding my teeth down. I lost my night guard a while back so I am glad this is doing double duty.
I hear different things about cleaning the trays. I take them off and soak them in Listerine pre-brush rinse(it is clear so it won't stain the trays) and peroxide to disinfect them.
As for talking, I don't really lisp much except when my mouth gets dry or I have to talk a lot.
I already feel like my teeth have moved a bit. My teeth are less jammed together and flossing is easier. I love seeing the progress!
I know that some dentists do this procedure but my own dentist does not so I went to the orthodontist that my teen girls went to for braces. And now that I have researched more into this process, I believe orthodontist may have an edge over regular dentists. This orthodontist is a perfectionist. He wants the absolute best result for his patients.
So going in for the first visit to do the molds to send to Invisalign, I had an idea what to expect because of this website. It is a bit tedious to have those molds done. I have tmj problems so it was uncomfortable. I wish I had taken a few ibuprofen before hand so that my jaw wasn't so sore afterward.
My first trays came in and I put them in on January 29. I noticed that the trays are marked and numbered on the back teeth. This is good to make them more visible in the white bathroom sink :). I will have a total of 18 trays. I am now on tray 3. I get attachments on March 12 for tray 4.
I have some slight discomfort but it is not too bad. I do find it harder to eat crunchy, thicker foods like tortilla chips and pretzels because my teeth are sore. I work full time but I am in a car most of the day, 12 hour shifts so getting to a bathroom to brush my teeth is a challenge. It has stopped me from indiscriminate snacking so that is a plus! I have sometimes been unable to brush after eating so I always have a big bottle of water with me. I swish out my mouth really good and sometimes use those disposable tooth brushes (Colgate Wisps). I have even found these at the the dollar stores so check around.
I grind my teeth at night so these trays have helped me from grinding my teeth down. I lost my night guard a while back so I am glad this is doing double duty.
I hear different things about cleaning the trays. I take them off and soak them in Listerine pre-brush rinse(it is clear so it won't stain the trays) and peroxide to disinfect them.
As for talking, I don't really lisp much except when my mouth gets dry or I have to talk a lot.
I already feel like my teeth have moved a bit. My teeth are less jammed together and flossing is easier. I love seeing the progress!
Kristen1166's provider
Replies (14)
March 4, 2014
Hi! So glad to find your review :) I'm also a 47 going 48 just started with invisalign ;) Today will be my 6th day wearing Tray 1. So far so good, no discomfort whatsoever just a little weird at first. It also slow down my speech with a little lisp now n then but I'm ok with that. My ortho prescribed Acceledent to speed with the process n in just 5 days I can already feel my bite kind of changed a little (moved). I'm going back on tray 3 to have attachments put on. Very excited!
Looking forward to read more of your progress.. :)
March 5, 2014
Hi Kitten88. Thanks for comment! I have to ask about this Acceledent. I never heard of it until this site and maybe I can do that also. I do love reading everyone else's experience and progress. It really helps while going through this treatment. Take care and I will read your progress as well. :)
March 4, 2014
Thanks for making the decision to better yourself. I am 46 and on tray 20 of 23. I'll just throw things out there that I have experienced. I use an extra soft toothbrush and gel toothpaste to clean the trays to keep them from getting scratched. That has worked well. My dentist told me not to disinfect them with mouthwash. (Not sure if because they could get discolored, or because the alcohol would soften the plastic.) So....I tried soaking them in Oxyclean (yes, the non-chlorine laundry whitener). It worked beautifully! Trays 4-8 were the ones where my teeth were sore, after that, nothing. Early on, the trays would cut my tongue if I talked a lot, so I used ortho wax on the edges till my tongue toughened up. My treat for the day is a can of Stevia sweetened soda (it is clear and has no sugar). So far things have went pretty well. I don't know if this is standard practice or not but my dentist "throws in" a professional teeth whitening that normally is $100. Any additional whitenings in the future will only be $25. My parents were poor so they couldn't afford braces for me but I thought, well, better late than never. Hopefully things work out for you on this endeavor. thanx
March 5, 2014
Wow, Jafa, you are almost done! Great! I will try that Oxyclean trick. Mine start to get stained after a few days so that is a great tip. I have not really had any "rough edge" issues but that is a great tip to use the ortho wax. I will try that if I have any rough edges on future trays. I do not remember hearing about the free whitening with this office but I will ask. Otherwise I will use the strips. Those work great and any sensitivity goes away after using a Sensodyne type toothpaste for a day or 2.
Yeah, growing up, we did not have much money and braces were way down on the priority list. In fact, my mom had to take me to a dental school to get cavities treated at a discount rate by dental students! It was AWFUL! So yeah, I am grateful and happy that I can help my bite and smile with this treatment. Thank you so much for commenting. I love this site and the feedback from everyone.
March 5, 2014
My mom did the same thing, with the dental school trick!! They didn't do a great job with my sister's braces, but they did do better than nothing.
I usually use peroxide for my trays, but I am interested to know how OxiClean compares, since it has detergent as well as peroxide. Would definitely wash afterward though--not sure how edible OxiClean is LOL! Maybe you can give us an update if you try the oxyclean :D
I usually use peroxide for my trays, but I am interested to know how OxiClean compares, since it has detergent as well as peroxide. Would definitely wash afterward though--not sure how edible OxiClean is LOL! Maybe you can give us an update if you try the oxyclean :D
March 17, 2014
I get a free teeth whitening at the end of my treatment as well! Do you know if it is a take home kit or in the chair?
March 4, 2014
I actually have been very proficient at teeth brushing in the car! Not while I am driving, of course!!!! It sounds a bit awkward but really works better for me than using a public restroom!!!! I also travel a lot and spend many hours in my car also, so I understand your concern.
March 5, 2014
Mskittycity, yeah, I think I am getting used to the whole routine. I agree about public restrooms. ICK! I may try to actually do real toothbrushing in a deserted parking lot somewhere so no one will see :) The key is having lots of water to rinse with and careful spitting, lol Thanks for your comment!
March 4, 2014
Thanks for posting a pic! :D
March 5, 2014
:) Thanks, TwoPlusOne for letting me know about the bruxism issue. I will run it by the ortho at my next appointment. I don't grind while awake, I think I only do while sleeping. I will see what he says.
UPDATED FROM Kristen1166
2 months post
Attachments!
This visit did not take very long. My appointment was at 12:50 and I was out of there by 1:30. Getting them applied was not painful but my teeth are sensitive so it was uncomfortable. I should have brushed with a sensitivity toothpaste beforehand and taken some ibuprofen. The assistant applied the attachments to 2 teeth on top (left central incisor and left lateral incisor) and 4 teeth on the bottom (both left and right lateral incisors and canines) My top central incisor, front left tooth, has 2 "buttons". So once the assistant applied a cured them, the ortho came in and maybe ground them down a bit. Not sure what he did but it sounded like drilling which I hate. Again, my teeth are sensitive so it was a bit bothersome to endure. The assistant had me put them in and take them out to see if I could do it. I did it but it was not easy.
When I took them off to eat the first time, I was surprised to find that the surface is rough. I imagined them to be smooth for some reason. So, predictably, they scratched the hell out of the inside of my mouth when I ate. I returned to RealSelf to read up more on other's experience and saw that some people sanded them down with a nail file so I did that. Still gritty textured but a bit better.
I am not thrilled with how they look but no one noticed them, even when I asked a few people.
There is a lot more soreness now. Not horrible but more than before these attachments were placed. So that means the teeth are moving, right? :)
Taking the trays off is slightly more challenging. Starting in the back always works. It feels like sometimes I will pull the attachments off. I was told to just call the office and they would put a new one on. No big deal. I still feel, that although this is harder than before the attachments were put on, that this is so much better than just leaving my teeth as they were or going with traditional braces. Nothing good comes easy!
When I took them off to eat the first time, I was surprised to find that the surface is rough. I imagined them to be smooth for some reason. So, predictably, they scratched the hell out of the inside of my mouth when I ate. I returned to RealSelf to read up more on other's experience and saw that some people sanded them down with a nail file so I did that. Still gritty textured but a bit better.
I am not thrilled with how they look but no one noticed them, even when I asked a few people.
There is a lot more soreness now. Not horrible but more than before these attachments were placed. So that means the teeth are moving, right? :)
Taking the trays off is slightly more challenging. Starting in the back always works. It feels like sometimes I will pull the attachments off. I was told to just call the office and they would put a new one on. No big deal. I still feel, that although this is harder than before the attachments were put on, that this is so much better than just leaving my teeth as they were or going with traditional braces. Nothing good comes easy!
Replies (8)
March 15, 2014
Yep! It means the teeth are moving :). But even knowing that doesn't always make you feel better, when you're in pain ;). You don't have that many attachments on the very front, at least. I can't see them, at least! Small favors :)
March 15, 2014
I'm also 47. I didn't need braces as a kid, but years of clenching and grinding have caused my front teeth to move. I'm on day two of tray one. Yup, just started yesterday. The attachments on my teeth feel weird; I'm hoping I get used to them. And my whole mouth felt so dry during the night I kept getting up for a drink of water (will put a water bottle by my bed tonight).
March 17, 2014
I love that you're doing something for yourself! I'm a bit the opposite, I'm 26 so I figure when kids come along there is no way I'd be able to justify the money on my teeth. So I'm doing it before lol! Good luck with your teeth!
April 10, 2014
Thanks, Nadilelliana, yeah, I wish I would have done this years ago but then again, this wasn't available years ago :)
April 9, 2014
Are you about to change into your sixth tray now? How are things going? :)
April 10, 2014
Hi TwoPlusOne, yes, just changed to 6. Things are ok. This tray has made some of my teeth sore..which is good! I am just a bit worried about how the attachments get removed and how the teeth will be after. I only have 6 but they are in front. I hope the surface looks good and there is no sensitivity.
April 10, 2014
I can't say whether it is the case for everyone, but I gained no sensitivity at all from the removal and there are no traces left at all. It was also painless :).
May 9, 2014
Another month down! Did you get to talk to your doctor about attachments and the like? And are you seeing any results yet? :) You should be right around 8 or 9? Lots of people start seeing results by then!
Replies (0)