43 year old Woman Starting Invisalign

I started tray 4 on Tues Oct 22 and this tray has been the easiest of them all. While they are very tight when you put in new trays, once you get used to that feeling, you don’t feel it after the first few hours or by the end of the day once you are a few trays in. I haven’t had any cut tongue but the ortho wax has been helpful with my upper fang tooth that has an attachment on it. I could feel it cutting my lip a little bit. That was fixed quickly with the wax. I’ve noticed the two front bottom teeth have moved and are standing straight up a lot more.

I often wish I had a wider arch because no one sees my teeth so it will be interesting to see how much the arch will widen. I was told it won’t be a lot. My mouth is so tiny.

32 trays (71 weeks) in total not including refinements if needed and down 4 trays. 27 to go. Not really thinking about the approximate 65 weeks I have left and just going doing the routine which is manageable.

I went back on Oct 8 and got my upper tray since it didn’t fit when I first started Invisalign last month. It’s been a full 30 days today. It seems longer than that but just started tray 3 on Oct 8. I had the orthodontist sand down all my trays and have had no issues with my tongue getting cut anymore. The top aligned didn’t feel word or anything because I was wearing a retainer made of a heavy plastic for a month. The elastic she has me wearing where I had my back molar extracted has been changed to a force 2 elastic which is stronger but a bit more difficult to put on. It’s a tiny little elastic but very thick. I wear this elastic 24 hours a day but has often snapped off while eating. Ortho said my teeth are tracking as they should be. I’ve added a few pictures of my upper teeth but was a bit difficult to take pictures if since I have a tiny mouth and no one hardly sees my teeth. I’m regards to the 2 bottom teeth, I can see movement and see them standing up more straight now. Slowly but surely...I’ve gotten into the routine and don’t eat as much as I used to especially my past habit of snacking in the early evening. The hassle of taking them out is too much and I’m exhausted by that time. Same goes if you ever try to eat with your aligners in. I’ve done it but don’t recommend it and stopped doing it. You will have to give them a good brushing anyways. Not worth it. I always brush them with plax. Toothpaste is too abrasive and using it can make your aligners a breeding ground for bacteria. As a result I’ve dropped some weight.

All is well...

I’ve been very strict lately and been keeping the Invisalign in for 22 hours as opposed to 20 hours.

I’ve noticed that when wearing a new tray, my tongue starts to get cut up and sore about 3-4 days in and lasts for about 2 days. Then it’s gone. I also noticed about 7 days into wearing the new tray it feels a bit looser esp at bottom front yet still snug. I’m taking all my trays in getting the ortho to sand them down. It’s no fun at the start of each tray to have your tongue cut up and barely able to eat.

When putting in a new tray, the teeth are not supposed to fit which is why they are very tight and you can feel the pressure. As time goes on the teeth at the end of the 2 weeks will match the tray. I’ve got 3 months worth of trays and was looking at them the other day and it’s very motivating to see where I will be by the end of the year.

There are no gaps between my teeth and my bottom tray so I know I’m on the right path and have not deviated in not wearing them for less than 20 hours. Most times I fast until the afternoon and only eat 2 meals a day.

I’m going to my next appt on Oct 8 and that is the day I move to tray #3.