I'm getting Invisalign

REFINEMENTS - WTF??

2009-04-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

So, I still do not have my new aligners, yet, but I did finally find out what I'm in for, and it's not pretty! I need 10, yes 10 aligners on my bottom teeth! This is refinements? I mean, I was only supposed to have 15 aligners in the original program. Not only that, the ClinCheck said I need three more on my top teeth. Anyway, since they haven't arrived at the dentist's office, I need to wait to see her to discuss. The last I was in her office, she agreed they looked perfect on the top. I just want to be sure that the top aligners are needed. I'm worried, because my teeth look so good, and I don't want to start wearing new aligners on the top just to find out that they for some reason screw up what is a great result. Anyway, I am seriously, seriously bummed out about this latest development. I counted and 20 weeks puts me into September before this mess is done. I just was totally looking forward to being done by the summer, and now that's not going to happen. So, at some point I will update this blog with hopefully some good news about my teeth. At least it's good to know that I was not crazy, and my bottom teeth really weren't anywhere near where they should be.

Uh-oh - Refinements already

2009-04-11T15:12:00.000-07:00

Well, the excitement of being done with my top teeth is sort of downplayed by the fact that it's official, I need refinements on the bottom teeth. I put on aligner 14 of what was supposed to be 15 total on the bottom, and it just didn't fit. I went to the dentist, and she agreed that my teeth just aren't where Invisalign thinks they should be on the bottom. She also agreed that my top teeth look perfect. I guess the good news is that I didn't have to needlessly go through the entire program and find out later that it just wasn't done. So, last Monday, I got new impressions, and will soon know just how much longer I will have to finish the program. I am really hopeful that the round of refinements will be all there is, and I can look forward to not having to wear the aligners all day anymore. I should hopefully get the new aligners very soon, as they said that the refinements only take 1.5 - 2 weeks to come in, so it won't be long before I can start on the path toward being done for good!

Done with the top teeth!

2009-03-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

I'm posting a picture of the final product of my top teeth - well, sort of. I am getting the gingivectomy on May 6th, so my gumline will be evened out. Honestly, they look perfect in person as far as being straight is concerned, though, so I'm super happy with the result of my top teeth. On my last visit to the dentist, she said it's likely I'll need refinements on my bottom teeth, and I tend to agree. With just two scheduled aligners to go, I can't see how they'll come out looking perfect at the end. So there's that to consider. I am just looking so forward to the day when I can have a day free of wearing the Invisalign. It's so silly going on vacation with them and always looking out for brushing and putting them back in. I just want to feel normal again. The same goes for scheduled eating. Anyway, here is a picture of my top teeth result. I will post again after the gingivectomy and let you know if I need the bottom teeth refinements. I suppose I could just reject getting refinements, but I have come so far and paid so much money that there is no turning back.

4 months and onto the 10th aligner!

2009-02-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

I'll be moving onto the 10th aligner on Wednesday, and I'm officially 4 months into 6 months total on the top teeth. It's so exciting to be moving onto double digits!! Anyway, I know everyone is interested in pics, so here we go!

The halfway point and 7th aligner!

2009-01-02T19:59:00.000-08:00

Before

3 months / halfway

I'm so excited to have made it to the halfway point (on my top teeth)! Three months to go. I'm liking the way my teeth are shaping up, but I'm very anxious to be done. Sometimes the side of my mouth gets so irritated that I just take them out at night for 45 minutes to an hour. I also left them out for 6 hours on New Year's Eve. I just couldn't see a way around it, so I left them at home. Anyway, here is my halfway / three month photo!!

Sixth Aligner

2008-12-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

Well – finally on number 6, with less than 10 aligners to go on both the top and bottom! I was a little dismayed seeing the dentist yesterday, as she told me the retainer time is 3 months, and I only thought two. Of course, it’s a nighttime retainer forever, but I was thinking the full-time bit was a little less. I mean, really, that’s half the time of the overall program! And I am anxious to not have to wear them and deal with the constant brushing and flossing! I am really hoping that refinements aren’t needed. I guess no one knows. I also did not know that over-correction sometimes happens, which my dentist also informed me about. She said if I had a couple aligners to go, but I felt as though my teeth looked perfect, I should consult her, as I may not have to continue to the end. That would be so great!
Today at lunch, I felt one of my front teeth move when I bit into my taco. That was a bit strange, and not in a good way. I guess they are in a fragile state with the movement.
Also today, a co-worker that I don’t see that often said, “WOW! Your teeth look great!” I’m really happy that others are starting to notice.
I finally thought today that if my teeth looked like they do right now, I would not have been motivated to get Invisalign and would have been mostly satisfied with them. I mean, they are far from perfect, they are just at the point where I am no longer embarrassed by my smile. I can’t believe I am almost at the halfway point!

2 Month Photo Update

2008-11-29T15:13:00.000-08:00

Before treatment

One month into the program

2 months into the program

5th Aligner

2008-11-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

This evening I switched over to #5 of 13 on top and 15 on bottom. I am making real progress at least in terms of numbers. I am anxious for this whole program to be done. I just keep thinking that at New Year's, I will be halfway through (at least on top). I just keep pushing myself forward with the concept that it's closer to getting to done with every step. Otherwise, I think I'd lose my mind!

I went to a football game this weekend and kept my aligners out for the longest period ever - probably about 5 hours in a row. There's just not a convenient way to brush your teeth at a sporting event. Thank goodness I should be pretty much done with this whole process by the time baseball season rolls around!

Anyway, I'll be at the 2 month mark on December 1, so I'll take and post some pictures around that time!

Fourth Aligner

2008-11-18T19:22:00.000-08:00

Not much new to report. I saw my dentist, and I guess as long as I fit into the fourth aligner, that's all they need to know. I haven't noticed much of a change since I took and posted the photo, but I'll post another one in a couple weeks when I'm on to month two. Thankfully, I'm more or less done traveling for now, as that was a big pain.

The best advice I have to give anyone doing this program is to definitely stock up on dental floss! I have gone through so much, and at times run out in an inconvenient way. Now I pretty much buy floss every couple weeks just to be sure, and I haven't exactly been stockpiling it, even though I buy it so frequently. Good thing floss is cheap!

One Month Photo Update

2008-11-01T21:47:00.000-07:00

One month into the program

Before

Third Aligner!

2008-10-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I started the third set of aligners (of 13 on top and 15 on bottom). It will be exceptionally exciting to start the fourth, since that would mean that there are less than 10 to go on top! But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Since I've spent the past two weeks traveling either for work or vacation, I will post my thoughts on travel and doing business while going through the Invisalign process.

1) Get used to brushing and flossing in very public establishments. In the past two weeks, I've brushed and flossed on airplanes, in a park restroom, countless restaurants, and just in general any public place that I've had a need.

2) Double check you have your supplies every time you go out! Twice I forgot to bring the case with me! Doh. I spent the evenings so worried that something would happen to my aligners that were wrapped up in a napkin in my purse. One other time, I completely forgot my toothpaste back at my hotel room. Not wanting to be without the aligners for countless hours, I just rinsed as thoroughly as possible and brushed as soon as I got back to the hotel.

3) Make sure you have adequate supplies! Oh thank goodness I brought two containers of floss with me this last trip. While brushing on an airplane, I pulled out my floss only to discover that just a tiny bit came out, because there was hardly any left. By the end of the trip, the other container of floss was nearly gone. You definitely will go through a lot of floss on this program, so make sure you have enough. On a positive note, Aquafresh makes a pretty large size of toothpaste that fits FAA guidelines, which costs about $1.50, but was so much more valuable on a four day trip than the tiny travel size (which I would have easily had to bring two or three of just to get by). At the end of the four days, I even had some left, though not enough for another four day trip.

4) Brushing with the "sensor" type faucets is a royal pain in the rear. I can never seem to get the water to come on when I want it to, and even when it does come on, it's always too forceful and totally the wrong amount of water.

So, in summary, travel is kind of a hassle with Invisalign, but you can make due if you just get over the fact that many people will see you brushing and flossing in all sorts of places. I never used to brush anywhere but in the privacy of my home (or a given hotel room if I was staying away from home), but I've had to learn to think of brushing as a very public and normal thing to do. I guess perfect strangers think I'm just obsessive.

Now, on to wearing them in business. This isn't a problem and unless they meet you in the bathroom while you're brushing, your colleagues won't really realize you are wearing anything on your teeth. They are "hardly" noticeable, and when I do tell people, they never realized I was wearing anything at all. This is the perfect program for people who don't want to get any kind of negative attention that they would wearing traditional braces.

On both the second and this aligner, I've had to take pain medication. Not tons, just once or so to get over the feeling. It's not horrible suffering by any means, but I decided that it isn't worth it to feel that dull pain when a pill or two will make it all better. And yes, after a tylenol or an ibuprofen, the pain is completely gone. I've noticed that by the third day the pain is gone entirely.

The third aligner seems to fit better than the second one did, and yes, I still get surprised to realize how tight it feels.

My nails look awesome, my pants fit better, and I am still drinking lots of water, although the dry mouth part has slightly improved. Oh, and two friends have told me, WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING, that my teeth already look better. I noticed it myself in some photos from vacation. I'm just surprised that I can see a noticeable change so quickly. No, not a huge change, just a noticeable change. I'm glad, because the program overall has many more challenges than I would have ever realized, and I need the encouragement. 5 months to go!!

Starting the second aligner

2008-10-15T17:59:00.001-07:00

Well hard to believe it's been two weeks. I never thought the first aligner would feel loose, but utlimately it did. Tonight I put on the second aligner (of 13 on top and 15 on bottom). I was shocked at how tight it is. I honestly do not remember the first aligner being this tight. I'm glad I'm going to be going to bed with this on. I had no idea that it would hurt this much from the get go. Also, the bottom aligner on the left side feels like it's just not quite right. I guess I got spoiled after the first one starting to feeling loose. After all, the dentist's office told me that the first aligner would be the worst, but I'm feeling like this one definitely is. I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow, so I really hope that by Friday (when vacation starts in earnest) that it doesn't hurt anymore. Also, this one did not feel as comfortable, so I did have to apply some orthodontic wax to the bottom to prevent any irritation to my inner lip. I'm glad that I'm moving on to the next stage, but I just didn't think it would be this challenging. On the flip side, my nails look great and my clothes are definitely looser from the lack of snacking. :)

Day 5 - It's getting better

2008-10-06T17:29:00.000-07:00

I swear I am not a baby, and sometimes I do not notice my aligners are even in, but sometimes I feel pain still! It's just certain teeth, so maybe in my old age of nearly 36, they are just resistant to moving or something. Thanks to Adam for telling me that drinking alcohol probably wouldn't hurt, so long as I don't make this an all the time habit. I'd rather have them in, so I think I will shoot for lighter colored drinks with a cleaning as soon as possible after. I have to live my life, after all. I swear I've already lost a bit of weight, as my clothes feel loser, and my nails look fab. I went for a manicure on Saturday to celebrate my new nails. It's amazing that I don't miss it. I'm getting used to the lack of snacking, but it's interesting to note just how much I would have snacked were it not for wearing the aligners. I guess awareness is the key, even though I already knew that lesson. I can hardly wait to progress to the next step. Since I only have the next two aligners in my possession, naturally I tried to compare Aligner #1 to Aligner #3 to see how much I'd progress. Apparently it doesn't work that fast, because I couldn't really see a difference. Hard to believe it will only be six months for the entire treatment, but I can't argue with the computer. I'm just glad that I finally took the plunge.

Day 3 - Getting By

2008-10-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I can honestly say this is way harder than I thought it would be. I'm a huge snacker, and that's probably a big part of it. Or I WAS a huge snacker!! Anyway, the pain is getting more manageable, and I really hope by tomorrow it's gone. This afternoon at work, the dry mouth was pretty intense. I drank way more water today than I have in a long time on a given day as a result, and I do consider myself on top of drinking water.

My friends want to go out for my birthday next Friday, and I'm already trying to think how I can work that out. It will be an extended evening event, and since I've just started, I really don't want to keep them out for long periods of time like that. Plus, I'll be going to San Francisco in less than two weeks, so there will probably be some of the same when I go out. I know I don't HAVE to drink to have a good time, but it is my birthday and vacation, and I want to. :) I will come up with some kind of personal compromise, I suppose.

I just have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this and just focus on the result. Plus, I have a lot of money invested in this process, and there is no way that I'll even seriously allow myself to think of quitting. I just want instant gratification like everyone, and I can't have it. I should also remind myself that many, many people have far more time to invest in the Invisalign process than six months (nine months considering the retainer time, but still...). I don't want to sound like a baby, so chin up and keep going!

Day 2 - Here comes the pain

2008-10-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Day 2 was drastically different than Day 1! I must have been on an Invisalign high yesterday, because today was pretty painful at points. I limped along with Motrin. I worked from home yesterday, so my mouth did not get dry, which I figured meant I just would not have that side effect. Wrong! When you are around people and talking all day, your mouth does get dry. I am now drinking tons of water.

Today at lunch, I made a mistake and without thinking, sipped the straw on my Diet Coke when I got it and before I got back to the office to take out the aligners. I have also been drinking tea, which I refuse to give up. I don’t and never have sweetened it, so I think it should be fine. I switched over to a lighter colored tea and drink water after drinking the tea. I figured that I just can’t live without and as long as I brush out the aligners a few times a day, and that they are only two weeks per aligner, it’s not like they can get that stained.

By the time I got home for dinner, I was STARVING from my lack of afternoon snack. On top of that my mouth was aching. I was ready to quit. I decided to give myself a full thirty minutes without the aligners, and that really helped me get through that moment of weakness. I hope I am through the worst of it now.

My teeth feel “weird” even when I don’t have the aligners in now. It’s very challenging to explain how, but weird is the only word for now. It’s also interesting that some teeth feel as though they are being pulled on more than others with the aligners in.

Oh, one last thing I’ve found. I seem to lick my lips a lot for some reason, and they’ve gotten a little chapped as a result. I’m just going to have to carry lip balm around all the time now, too, I guess. 5 months and 29 days to go!

Finally getting started - Day 1

2008-10-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today I finally got my first Invisalign aligners. I also was able to see the Clincheck video of what my teeth will look like. They look like they will look great! I also found out that I’ll need 13 aligners on my top teeth and 15 on my bottom. So, in about 6 months, my teeth should be the way I want them to be. I will have to wear a retainer full time for about 3 months and then just at night, from what they are telling me now.

I have five buttons already on. Invisalign recommended 8, but my dentist felt strongly that some were not necessary. One that they recommended that she did not do is on one of front top teeth. So, there is a bubble in the aligner for it, but no button on my tooth. If it weren’t there, I swear that I would not be able to see that I have them on, and therefore, no one else would.

I haven’t had any trouble taking them on or off, although once the buttons were on, it was a little harder. I so far have only taken them off for lunch.

They feel very tight, but they don’t seem to hurt. I keep biting down on them, and when I do, I feel like I lock them into place more. I wonder as the day goes on if they will hurt more. I also have not experienced any speech problems, but I do find that I’m making an effort not to have any. I don’t feel as though anything is cutting my gums or tongue at all, as I have read others do.
My dentist gave me some Retainer Clear to clean them. I will just use that until it’s done and then use the Kmart brand efferdent after that. As of right now, I plan to do what some people said and that is just use the toothbrush and then the efferdent every few days. Of course I will use the Retainer Clear first, since I have less of that.

As suspected, I’ve already skipped snacking at least once. And biting my nails is completely impossible.

My next appointment is in 6 weeks. They said I come in every six weeks to pick up the next few aligners and see how I am doing. I am anxious to see how I progress. It will be great to get this done in the winter so that by next summer I will emerge with fabulous teeth! :)

My first Invisalign aligners should come in this week!

2008-09-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

I've spent the past weeks thinking about my decision to get Invisalign. I now realized that I have been thinking about getting my teeth fixed for the past 8 years - WOW! Anyway, the time is finally right, the financial gods have aligned themselves, and I'm taking the plunge. After starting the process, I practically bounded out of the dentist's office, I was so excited. I had my x-rays and impressions done almost three weeks ago, and I heard from the dentist's office that she approved the final this past week. That means I should hopefully get the first aligners this week coming. I wish I had searched for another blogger's review of her experience with Invisalign prior to taking the plunge, but in actuality, it would have only reaffirmed my decision. As I've spent this long focusing on the state of my teeth and how I really hate the way they look, especially in pictures, I'm glad to think that in less than a year from now, I'll have a smile that I like and am comfortable with. I am also hoping that I can finally put my nailbiting habit to rest (highly likely) and that the lack of available convenience snacking might lead to losing a few pounds. Naturally, the straight teeth are the number one priority, though.

Many people close to me have said that they don't understand why I am going through this. It's easy to see close up that my teeth are far from perfect, but most people tend not to notice that my teeth could use the help in everyday situations. All things considered this is a personal decision that I've made and no one has to live with my decisions but me.

If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them promptly and honestly. I know that many people aren't happy with their teeth, and I am far from alone in having considered this decision for a long time.

As I mentioned, there is another blog about an Invisalign experience, but as everyone is different, I thought it would be helpful to include my experience, as well. I know that I like to get as much information as possible before making a decision.

My dentist says after the Invisalign is done, we'll do laser surgery to even out my gumline. I'm not opposed to that at all - I want my smile to be perfect after this investment and that's another part of my smile that I am not happy with!

Here are some "before" pics of my teeth.