POSTED UNDER Invisalign Reviews REVIEWS
Starting Invisalign Today - Santa Rosa, CA
ORIGINAL POST
Well, I am almost 50 years old but... it's never...
diamante67January 17, 2017
$6,340
Well, I am almost 50 years old but... it's never too late, right? I always hated my front teeth but, given that it was mostly a cosmetic issue, my parents did not fit me with braces when I was young. When I visited the orthodontist with my son, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get my smile fixed. I thought I would share my experience here, given that before starting the invisalign treatment I found that reading other reviews was very useful to prepare myself. I got my scans done in mid December and finally got the first two trays yesterday. The doctor started me without attachments, probably to get me used to the feeling of the trays and the pressure. So far, the discomfort has been minimal. I had some pressure when the doctor initially put the trays on, and then when I put the trays back on after removing them from eating. But while the trays are on, I feel fine, especially today (second day). I was worried about keeping the trays on for 22 hours but I can see that, at least for the time being, I am highly motivated and I try to keep my meals short and run to brush afterwards. I hope I will keep it up - I know that as time goes by it might become harder to stay motivated.
As for the treatment, it is supposed to last 18-20 months, 36 trays. I will have attachments placed in about 20 days and, if I understood correctly, that's when they will do the IPR. I am little worried because the IPR will be of about .4 to .5 mm for several teeth - I hope this won't cause any damage.
They are planning to do some overcorrection - depending on how things progress they might decide not to do that, but for the moment it is part of the program.
Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out well...
As for the treatment, it is supposed to last 18-20 months, 36 trays. I will have attachments placed in about 20 days and, if I understood correctly, that's when they will do the IPR. I am little worried because the IPR will be of about .4 to .5 mm for several teeth - I hope this won't cause any damage.
They are planning to do some overcorrection - depending on how things progress they might decide not to do that, but for the moment it is part of the program.
Keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out well...
UPDATED FROM diamante67
3 days post
Dry mouth...
diamante67January 19, 2017
I am on day 4 and one thing I had not learned about and now I am finding out the hard way is that my mouth and lips are getting quite dry. I think it is because the mouth is not as "closed" as it used to be... Need to get some chapstick and see if I can prevent my lips from cracking - I already do a good job at drinking so the issue is not lack of hydration. For the rest, I am worried about cavities so I try to be very good at brushing my teeth and cleaning the aligners. No pain due to aligners so that's good news...
Replies (17)
January 19, 2017
I get my invisaligns this Tuesday, Jan 24. I am nervous!
January 20, 2017
Good luck! What are you nervous about? So far it has been ok for me; I feel more concerned about keeping my mouth and trays clean than the actual discomfort - that only lasted a couple of days and I did not need any pain relief to manage it. If the discomfort stays at this level every time I change the tray, I will be ok. The chapstick is helping a lot with the mouth dryness. I am "keeping an eye" on my jaw because I feel that it is getting a bit sore. Overall, so far so good.
January 20, 2017
It just seems like it will be a real life changer. Planning my eating and drinking, around a two hour window will be fun...I do like to drink an occasional beer, so that will be interesting too! Especially on weekends, I sometimes have a few. So...It will be turn into simple math. :)
January 20, 2017
I hear ya! I was very much into "grazing" as opposed to three main meals so I had to change that. Right now I allow myself 4 food breaks: breakfast, midmorning coffee, lunch and dinner. I prepare everything before taking the trays out so I am just at about 2 hours total between eating and brushing afterwards. Luckily most of my days I am mostly at work or at hime - I imagine if I had to travel more or be out and about it would be harder.
January 20, 2017
It will be an adjustment but soon you'll find what works for you and it will be easier than you ever expected. FYI I like to drink beer and always keep them in. Have a side of water and just brush as soon as you can!
January 21, 2017
Ok that sounds great! I have a 'get together' the very first night that I get my invisaligns, and I am excited I can still enjoy a few 'sips'.... :)
January 20, 2017
That's what my problem is, this is my third day my lips are so so dry and mouth is in pain! I have lots of built up salvia in the trays though it's bubbling up bad :( I tried using lip balm but it's made my lips worse
January 20, 2017
we are just a couple of days off from each other in our treatment! Are you drinking enough fluids? I was, so in my case the couple of things that helped were the chapstick and rinsing with mouth wash after brushing at every meal (somehow I think having a fresher mouth gave me a bit of relief). Yesterday I was really irritated but I started these two new things and I feel better.
January 20, 2017
I have my water bottle next to me every second lol I have peed this morning 10 times from the water!!
I have brushed my teeth and my aligners every time I have eaten I even am rinsing my mouth with them in because it's so sticky
What day is your day today? My bottom teeth are so so sore!
January 20, 2017
ouch! it sounds really awful :( I am on day 5 but I really did not have a whole of pain. Most of the discomfort was on the first day. But I did not have the IPR done yet so maybe that is the reason for the pain? Anyway, I would check in with the doctor if you are so uncomfortable, just to make sure that everything is going according to plans.
January 20, 2017
Maybe I will call up and ask but they told me that the first few days will be painful so I don't know but yeah very sensitive I'm glad yours is going good Hun
January 25, 2017
I had to attend a wine and cheese event this past weekend. so you can only imagine the amount of food and drinks they had! what I did is for drinks I kept my trays on: beer, white wine and RED wine! I did have a glass of tap water handy and every now and then I would take a sip and swish the water around my mouth, somehow 'pushing' it into the trays (my logic is what the water would force out whatever wine is in there). I was surprised to see that the red wine did not stain my trays. I guess as long as you don't overdo the whole thing over and over (like drink red wine every day) then you will be fine. and apparently beer does not stain at all. just rinse your mouth often to remove the liquid from inside the trays :)
January 25, 2017
That's so good that it didn't stain! Because I had pre work out which was red before gym and it left marks
I rinsed it immediately after to!
How's yours feeling ? I'm on my second trays now and bottoms hurt! My attachments go on next Friday!
My first set of aligners were getting so loose and so much salvia was bubbling in the top!
January 26, 2017
I am on tray 2 too! so far so good!
I got my attachments and IPR after 1 week of wearing tray 1. they will definitely make taking the trays off harder, especially the 1st week. then it gets better as teeth move. I expect to get harder when changing to next tray and so on.
I also noticed my trays getting looser towards the end of the 2 weeks, which I guess is good because it means the teeth are moving!
and yes, I see the bubbles too, lol. LOTS of them!
I got my attachments and IPR after 1 week of wearing tray 1. they will definitely make taking the trays off harder, especially the 1st week. then it gets better as teeth move. I expect to get harder when changing to next tray and so on.
I also noticed my trays getting looser towards the end of the 2 weeks, which I guess is good because it means the teeth are moving!
and yes, I see the bubbles too, lol. LOTS of them!
January 26, 2017
oh, also be prepared to feel like you have food stuck to your teeth once you get the attachments. you will notice this when you are eating (and not wearing the trays). it's such a weird feeling! lol
January 27, 2017
On my first week on the Wednesday night
My top trays were so lose
And my second ones are good really tight. Am I the only one who spits when I talk? My lisp is almost gone still there though lol
February 27, 2017
I experienced the same thing I use plenty of lip balm. I like the vasaline brand.
UPDATED FROM diamante67
8 days post
The longest 10 days of my life... :)
diamante67January 25, 2017
Boy, I am getting so impatient... on Jan 26 I will start tray no.2. I even tried them on for a second, just to see how they will feel, LOL... then of course I had to clean them really well to store them until it's the right time to switch. Anyway, apart for the impatience, I am doing ok. I think I am at about 21-22 hours of wear every day. Pain at the jaw seems gone (I tried to relax my mouth every time I was feeling some tension). I feel that I am doing a hoot job with the cleaning of the trays. The hardest part is probably the limited time to eat (and elimination of 95% of the snacking). Are we there yet? ;)
Replies (12)
January 25, 2017
That should have read a "good job". Not sure how to edit a post...
January 25, 2017
exciting to see other people that started around the time I did. I am halfway on tray 2. what I found is that the dryness kinda goes away after a couple weeks. if it's really cold outside I need chapstick. but otherwise I am ok.
I also had to eliminate most of the snacking; it is just too much hassle to do it.
how are you cleaning your trays? my dentist told me to use my electric toothbrush and toothpaste. I also soak them in plain water in a cup while I eat.
I also had to eliminate most of the snacking; it is just too much hassle to do it.
how are you cleaning your trays? my dentist told me to use my electric toothbrush and toothpaste. I also soak them in plain water in a cup while I eat.
January 25, 2017
I was told just toothpaste and regular brush, but I felt that it was not cutting it. So after a few days I started using dial antibacterial soap (the foamy one, and clear in color) and I feel that the trays are more clean that way. This in turn makes my mouth feel cleaner too. I would follow the soap with a bit of mouthwash (not soaking, just brushing it a bit) just to remove the taste of the soap. Today I am at day 9 and I do feel that, despite all of this, the trays had yellowed a tiny bit. That might be due to the fact that I do sip about one quart of chamomile at night and do not take the trays off while I do that. I then rinse them but it might not be enough. It's not bad but I am debating either removing them while I drink my tea, or trying out the RetainerBrite. Tomorrow... new trays! Can't wait!
January 26, 2017
I will try the soap. I find that I like the electric toothbrush because it cleans well the trays especially on the areas where you have the attachments (where the trays form those bubbles).
as for the trays getting a little yellow that happens no matter what you do or don't do.
as for the trays getting a little yellow that happens no matter what you do or don't do.
January 26, 2017
I put it in second set of trays 9 pm last night
My top lip infront of the tray is super dry
And my bottom teeth are hurting again ( which must mean they are moving ) I been cleaning mine with white vinager like they said ( they smell so bad!.
January 26, 2017
Bummer on the pain :( I just started tray #2 this morning and so far I am in no major discomfort. I guess some people are just lucky and feel less sensitivity... Hopefully you'll feel better soon <3
February 4, 2017
I keep a glass container with a lid in the bathroom with 50/ 50 water and hydrogen peroxide. I soak them in the morning while I have my tea and night before bed. On days I'm home they go in there every time I take our to eat. Anyway, keeps them really clean and no smell! I change the solution after about 5 days or so. I'm awaiting my retainers now and plan to do the same with them!
February 9, 2017
So, you are through with your treatment and are starting on your aligners? How many times did you have to have IPR , that is the only thing I am stressing about
February 4, 2017
Just a suggestion, but try doing your tray change right before you go to sleep. A lot of the movement happens right away and you will sleep through the worst of it. By the time you wake up they will be much more comfortable.
February 7, 2017
Tension is a en excellent way to describe it. I kept saying that my mouth feels tired like its working really hard but slow. Nope we'r not there yet but when we do get there Im sure its going to be all SMILES!!
April 6, 2017
Don't jump the gun (trays). Your teeth need to settle in and stabluze each 2 week tray set. Be patient, you will be thrilled with the results. I've been doing them now for 2 years ~ after awhile you don't even think about them it becomes so natural to have them. And YES chopstick helps the dry lips.
Replies (14)
Wish you the best! You are truly never too old!!