Not Worth It Invisalign

I have a lot to say about this. For those seeking a beautiful and confident smile, I sincerely believe that Invisalign does not give you perfection. There is no precision in teeth movement. Things can not be adjusted easily. There is a lot of down time waiting for new trays or refinement trays. I’ve done both. Which is why I regret wasting the last almost 4 years with Invisalign and not getting results. If I want something badly I need to work for it. Braces is so much more precise, it’s activated 24 hours a day, no down time waiting for trays, and it’s so much faster. Invisalign is slow. They say 6-18 months but it also depends on if you are using your chewies ( things you bite on to seat the tray and activate movement by creating blood flow to teeth.) and are you wearing them 22 hours a day. If you drink coffee like me - you have to rush to brush teeth and can’t just sit and enjoy a cup. Actually, I tried to rush to brush teeth after all meals and it’s very time consuming. I did it though. I still do it. Taking the time to brush, floss, and clean trays after all meals. I use eversmile foam to keep trays clean because they can get grimy. I’m in limbo still wearing old trays from over a year ago. It’s still a lot of work for me and nothing is moving. Just trying to hold until I find someone to finish what I started. Do yourself and your family a favor and get braces. It’s tried and true. Your family will appreciate it when they don’t have to hear the complaints from you and you will realize and wish you took advice from someone who has been there. Ok things I wish I knew before I got Invisalign.
- initial wait time for first trays up to 4 weeks. Same for refinement. Those are additional trays should first set not do it.
- spend a lot of time brushing teeth and keeping trays clean
- they will stain with certain food. Turmeric for example. I had a set of unusable trays because I didn’t brush enough or wait enough time after eating Indian food.
- if you don’t wear 22 hours a day you change trays every 2 weeks not 10 days extending treatment time.
- it’s slow, not precise and too much down time.
- make sure you know WHICH WAY IS ORTHODONTIST MOVING TEETH!! Like ask them to show you the direction of Each tooth. Had I known my teeth were being moved FORWARD to close my gaps I NEVER would have done this. I needed my teeth to move back in my case.
- the computer simulation of how your teeth will look is not accurate either.
- I never would have agreed to IPR. That’s filing of teeth to make room. I never needed that with braces but as I’m older i developed “black triangles” over the years - their solution is to file teeth. Bad.
- if you need other dental work, like me for example, having crown replaced. It just makes tray not fit and you will need to get rescanned and fitted resulting in more down time.
- if your not seeing the results you want after 6 months STOP. I wasted so much time trying to convince orthodontist things were not moving in right direction to no avail.
Honestly, it may seem easy and less noticeable, but what’s the point!?! You don’t want people to know your straightening your teeth but DO WANT people to notice your beautiful smile. Right? Don’t be shy to want a great smile. I wish I had more confidence to just get braces again, but I was embarrassed because this would be 3 times. Why did I need braces so many times ? First time I was a teenager with buck teeth. Second time in twenties after wisdom teeth came in, my teeth shifted and needed a new retainer. Braces straightened things out again, got a new retainer and I was good to go. I routinely had retainer checked over years. My orthodontist actually retired or moved I can’t find him. My retainer broke this last time. Went to fancy new orthodontist platinum Invisalign provider and was sold. Talked into Invisalign. Instead of new retainer like I planned. I’m in my 40s. I am vibrant and energetic. I’m also depressed on inside for the disappointment, wasted time (I can’t emphasize this part enough), and just plain confused why the gaps I walked in with 4 years ago NEVER FULLY CLOSED OR STAYED CLOSED.
IF YOU WANT A SMILE THATS JUST OK - go for Invisalign.
If you really want a more perfect smile - Braces the way to go.
If you want slow or discreet- Invisalign
If you want a smile to be proud of - do the work for braces and show off that metal or clear ceramic mouth.
What’s my point? My point is this. Do not get Invisalign 1. if you don’t think you can handle the commitment 2. You want faster more precise results.
My point is also if you want accurate, stable, 24 hours activation, beautiful smile - do yourself and your family a favor GET BRACES. (Or even veneers, caps or whatever else, but not Invisalign)

My orthodontist stopped treatment after 2 years and my gaps never closed. Her perception of my smile created more changes than I required or even wanted. My smile has changed for worse. I never had proper retainers made. I'm in limbo. Still wearing over year and half of trays. It's been 3 years of hell. Other Invisalign providers I sought second opinions from won't touch my case. It's a racket. I had a beautiful smile so I know the value of having a confidant comfortable smile. I had buck teeth corrected and now losing my smile has seriously impacted my confidence again. I regret invisalign completely and should have done the work of getting actual braces to close the minute gaps I had. I'm worse off and still looking for an orthodontist that can see my vision of restoring my smile.