POSTED UNDER Invisalign REVIEWS
Invisalign | 42 Year Old - Mom of 3 ... Looking Forward to 'New-normal' - Reston, VA
ORIGINAL POST
Tray 1 – 24 hours in :: Wow, those are some...
$4,000
Tray 1 – 24 hours in :: Wow, those are some really bad pics of my mouth! But hey, I'm hoping at the end of this journey they will be a great reminder of how far I came and that it was (fingers crossed) totally worth it. I've never really *loved* my teeth – but didn't *hate* them either. They were always “straight enough”. Three dentists recently have told me that I would need some sort of Orthodontics soon because my teeth are rotating and I have 50% wear. So I bit the bullet and made the decision, found an Elite Provider in my area and went for the consult. I was able to finance and use some FSA funds to make the financial part of this a little more acceptable. And awwwwayyyyy we goooo!
I went to the dentist yesterday to pick up my Trays. I really should have done more research on this! I skipped in there like I was picking up a cute little container with clear plastic things that would slip on my teeth – perfect fit – a little discomfort due to tightness and head to work. Pop them off, eat some normal lunch, brush and repeat. Uhhhhh, nope! They attached the “Brackets” as they called them (seen them referred to here as “Attachments” or “Buttons” – but really are rough little rocks) and had a few IPR’s done. What the *&^^ is an IPR?? Tooth shavings?!? Well, that sucked and I hope I don’t need many more!! (Ha! I’m doing this for crowding.) The assistant helped me put them on and I was on my way. I was given six trays – so do not have to go back until end of March (28 trays total). I sure am glad I found this site/forum because I learned so much on my first day with them in my mouth.
I have to say, my teeth are so sore I can’t really chew. It also doesn't help that I feel like I’m eating with someone else’s mouth! Everything feels foreign. The ‘buttons’ overlap – so my molars don’t touch. Can’t really mash food – so my meals have been soft (Soup, Cheese Tortellini, shake and oatmeal). I have to eat slow so I don’t bite my lips or inside cheeks. Ate chips with lunch today which was HUGE mistake… it was difficult chewing and they got stuck in my molars like crazy! I can see how I will likely lose weight doing this program!
Thanks to all the advice here, last night I went and picked up some cheap emery boards and some ortho-wax. I filed down one little side of my aligner that was irritating my cheek, and have the file on standby if the area under my tongue becomes unbearable. I was relieved that I slept well last night despite swallowing what has to be a gallon of saliva in the last 24 hours. My husband had braces when he was a kid so I’m not getting too much sympathy from him (lol).
I’m nauseous over the cost of this – so absolutely CANNOT give up. I keep reminding myself this WILL get better, things WILL get easier, I WILL settle into a routine. I see my teeth are already going through “Stockholm Syndrome” because I prefer the aligners ON rather than OFF. Weird.
I’m looking forward to my ‘new normal’… (and the end of this line!)
I would love to find an ‘Invisalign-Buddy’, someone on the same tray going through the same things/timing. Thank you to everyone on this forum sharing their stories, it really has helped me feel less alone in this, and provides wonderful advice & hope! :)
I went to the dentist yesterday to pick up my Trays. I really should have done more research on this! I skipped in there like I was picking up a cute little container with clear plastic things that would slip on my teeth – perfect fit – a little discomfort due to tightness and head to work. Pop them off, eat some normal lunch, brush and repeat. Uhhhhh, nope! They attached the “Brackets” as they called them (seen them referred to here as “Attachments” or “Buttons” – but really are rough little rocks) and had a few IPR’s done. What the *&^^ is an IPR?? Tooth shavings?!? Well, that sucked and I hope I don’t need many more!! (Ha! I’m doing this for crowding.) The assistant helped me put them on and I was on my way. I was given six trays – so do not have to go back until end of March (28 trays total). I sure am glad I found this site/forum because I learned so much on my first day with them in my mouth.
I have to say, my teeth are so sore I can’t really chew. It also doesn't help that I feel like I’m eating with someone else’s mouth! Everything feels foreign. The ‘buttons’ overlap – so my molars don’t touch. Can’t really mash food – so my meals have been soft (Soup, Cheese Tortellini, shake and oatmeal). I have to eat slow so I don’t bite my lips or inside cheeks. Ate chips with lunch today which was HUGE mistake… it was difficult chewing and they got stuck in my molars like crazy! I can see how I will likely lose weight doing this program!
Thanks to all the advice here, last night I went and picked up some cheap emery boards and some ortho-wax. I filed down one little side of my aligner that was irritating my cheek, and have the file on standby if the area under my tongue becomes unbearable. I was relieved that I slept well last night despite swallowing what has to be a gallon of saliva in the last 24 hours. My husband had braces when he was a kid so I’m not getting too much sympathy from him (lol).
I’m nauseous over the cost of this – so absolutely CANNOT give up. I keep reminding myself this WILL get better, things WILL get easier, I WILL settle into a routine. I see my teeth are already going through “Stockholm Syndrome” because I prefer the aligners ON rather than OFF. Weird.
I’m looking forward to my ‘new normal’… (and the end of this line!)
I would love to find an ‘Invisalign-Buddy’, someone on the same tray going through the same things/timing. Thank you to everyone on this forum sharing their stories, it really has helped me feel less alone in this, and provides wonderful advice & hope! :)
UPDATED FROM mellieSSM
2 days post
My First Restaurant Experience today
Well about 53 hours in. Went out for breakfast with the family to Crackle Barrel. I was crass and (discreetly) removed it at the table just as my food was arriving. I uncomfortably ate (really not enjoying food, it's so difficult to eat!) and then brushed my teeth (no floss) in the bathroom. All things considered, it went okay.
First woman thought it was weird, I'm sure. Second woman saw my tray and said "oh.... I had Invisalign...!" I looked up and she had a beautiful straight smile. That helped the ole' motivation! She smiled and said, "You'll get used to it...." All in all, it was an ok experience. Can't wait till this all feels normal!
First woman thought it was weird, I'm sure. Second woman saw my tray and said "oh.... I had Invisalign...!" I looked up and she had a beautiful straight smile. That helped the ole' motivation! She smiled and said, "You'll get used to it...." All in all, it was an ok experience. Can't wait till this all feels normal!
Replies (8)
January 12, 2015
Once you've made the vow to yourself to do this - you will do fine! It's eating out that I find the worst. I've been wearing them for 9 months. I watched myself take them out in the mirror and realized that nobody wants to see this! My husband says its fine. He just doesn't watch! And I hide behind my long hair as best I can. But it does save time if you remove them at the table. Six weeks in, after I admitted to my big brother that I had aligners, he smiled with very straight teeth and said "I did too!" And like you, that made me feel very hopeful! If he did it - then so can I! And so can you!
January 12, 2015
So True! :) I used one hand to shield my mouth, while my other went in to remove. I fortunately have fake nails and while they're a "sport length", they do wonders at removing these things. I start inside molars for the top - and outside molars for the bottom. I have to be careful not to catch my lip between the aligner and my teeth! that happened once and wow did it hurt. :)
January 13, 2015
Right- I find one's nails dislodge the aligner, one side at a time, and then they pop out over the attachments more easily. Before I got the aligners I was forever biting my cheek when I chewed because my teeth were not straight. Now I catch bits of my cheek or lips in my aligners, usually in the back of my mouth. I found puffing out my cheeks like a blowfish helps. My dentist laughed as I did this once with him watching. But he agreed that it was a good technique for me. Otherwise I feel like I've got some flesh pinched inside. Youch! :)
January 13, 2015
Ouch indeed! Before Invisalign, I would (gently) grind my teeth together during the day - softly usually to the beat of music. I used to suck in the sides of my cheeks to act as a barrier between my molars to stop the grinding.
I have done the blowfish thing too! usually at night when my mouth is all dried up and everything is sticking to everything.... lol
April 27, 2015
Why do soooo many people make you feel like a freak for wanting to practice good dental hygiene? I've had a few teenagers ask me about Invisalign in bathrooms, though. Young people are so much more forgiving, as long as you're not their mom.
UPDATED FROM mellieSSM
2 days post
My Invisalign Survival Kit
Soft sided make up bag with:
• Tray container,
• Travel sized toothbrush,
• toothpaste,
• dental floss,
• mouthwash,
• emery boards for rough tray edges,
• Ortho-wax just in case (have yet to use it),
• mouth pain gel, and
• Listerine "pocket pak" breath strips
Want to still add:
• travel collapsible cup &
• lip balm. :)
This little survival kit is going with me everywhere... !!
• Tray container,
• Travel sized toothbrush,
• toothpaste,
• dental floss,
• mouthwash,
• emery boards for rough tray edges,
• Ortho-wax just in case (have yet to use it),
• mouth pain gel, and
• Listerine "pocket pak" breath strips
Want to still add:
• travel collapsible cup &
• lip balm. :)
This little survival kit is going with me everywhere... !!
Replies (2)
January 12, 2015
After a few more trays, you're unlikely to need wax or the emery board (cause your mouth toughens up) but it's definitely best to have it all on hand now :D. Very cute :):):).
January 12, 2015
Thanks! I was dying after dinner last night, needed a ton of wax - that wouldn't stay on right... so frustrating. I filed some more this morning and didn't need the wax. Hopefully that's progress. I either filed off the sharp piece or my tongue is getting the callous - which I'm actually looking forward to! Still need to get some sugar-free mints. I was SUCH a gum-chewer before all this....
Oh, the things I miss!!!!
Replies (37)
Here is a picture for you, from Amazon, which is just one place that sells them.
Welcome to the community! So excited to see that you've already found the forums helpful :). So excited to watch your progress!