I got my Invisalign today! 17 Uppers (have ice braces on lowers). have two attachments, don't like these too much but I don't think they are very noticable. And i like the smootheness of the trays compared to the braces, wish I could've had those on the lowers too. there's some pressurre but it's bearable, and I was even ok to remove them quick fast.
So, I was wondering.. I believe you should remove them as little as possible. So, on a typcial work day I will have dinner around 8, and go to bed around 11/12ish. As now I am supposed to brush / floss etc after dinner, and then not eat anymore, are you removing your trays and brush all over again before going to bed? Need to find my new "rythms".
Still not sure how to handle this when going out as well!
A practical question..
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Phantom Muse
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:38 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL
Welcome to the Invisalign lifestyle! 
I always have my little tooth kit with me, and when I am out and about, I leave my aligners in until I am absolutely ready to eat. I then excuse myself when I am done eating to take care of everything. If it is the first few days of a new tray, I try to leave the aligners out as little as possible (90 minutes a day) simply because they are easier to put in that way. After a few days, I am not as spastic about it, but I still don't leave them out more than two hours total. If I need to snack, I often just grab a protein drink or fruit smoothie so I can drink it rather quickly and not have to floss when brushing! That also saves me time.
In addition, I really prefer now to go to restaurants where there are private bathrooms. I have had too many people comment on my cleaning routine that I am now a little shy about it. Wearing these things is only temporary, so I can make it with a more limited restaurant choice for now.
If it is the first few days of a tray, I don't take them out after dinner to brush again before bed, but often I do if I am almost through week one of a tray. I just feel better that way, but I think either way is fine.
I always have my little tooth kit with me, and when I am out and about, I leave my aligners in until I am absolutely ready to eat. I then excuse myself when I am done eating to take care of everything. If it is the first few days of a new tray, I try to leave the aligners out as little as possible (90 minutes a day) simply because they are easier to put in that way. After a few days, I am not as spastic about it, but I still don't leave them out more than two hours total. If I need to snack, I often just grab a protein drink or fruit smoothie so I can drink it rather quickly and not have to floss when brushing! That also saves me time.
In addition, I really prefer now to go to restaurants where there are private bathrooms. I have had too many people comment on my cleaning routine that I am now a little shy about it. Wearing these things is only temporary, so I can make it with a more limited restaurant choice for now.
If it is the first few days of a tray, I don't take them out after dinner to brush again before bed, but often I do if I am almost through week one of a tray. I just feel better that way, but I think either way is fine.
thanks for your reply!
so is it in general more acceptable/less problematic to have them out more often or longer at the end of one tray?
I hope I won't struggle too much. Have a business trip coming up, and a holiday as well in a couple of months, hope I will manage ok without getting myself into embarrassing situations or ending up not wearing them enough!
so is it in general more acceptable/less problematic to have them out more often or longer at the end of one tray?
I hope I won't struggle too much. Have a business trip coming up, and a holiday as well in a couple of months, hope I will manage ok without getting myself into embarrassing situations or ending up not wearing them enough!
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stickytiff
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 2:42 pm
- Location: Manchester, UK
hi Mona. Welcome to Invisalign!
Each new tray for me is quite tight, although getting easier to take out as my teeth get straighter. So on the first 2 or 3 days of each tray, I try to limit the time my tray is out of my mouth, as the quicker I put it back in, the easier, as my teeth have had less time to 'relax' back to where they were.
When a tray is nearing the end of its 2 weks, I can whip it in and out very easily, especially my top tray as my top teeth aren't too crooked. however my lower teeth were so crooked at first, it has always been quite tricky to ease that one out. but after 3 or 4 days, the tray seems to fit much easier as your teeth move little by little.
I'm sure you won't struggle at all by the time your holiday comes. you will have learnt all the tricks of the trade and you won't think twica about whipping them out!!
Each new tray for me is quite tight, although getting easier to take out as my teeth get straighter. So on the first 2 or 3 days of each tray, I try to limit the time my tray is out of my mouth, as the quicker I put it back in, the easier, as my teeth have had less time to 'relax' back to where they were.
When a tray is nearing the end of its 2 weks, I can whip it in and out very easily, especially my top tray as my top teeth aren't too crooked. however my lower teeth were so crooked at first, it has always been quite tricky to ease that one out. but after 3 or 4 days, the tray seems to fit much easier as your teeth move little by little.
I'm sure you won't struggle at all by the time your holiday comes. you will have learnt all the tricks of the trade and you won't think twica about whipping them out!!
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Phantom Muse
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:38 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL
After the discomfort of the first few days with a new aligner (usually 3-4 days for me), I can take them out and put them in much more easily. As the two weeks progress my teeth shift enough (and learn to stay) in the new position, so if I leave my trays out for a longer stretch (45-60 minutes), I generally don't feel much tightness at all when I put them back in.
However, I do still try to always wear the aligners for 22 hours daily. As the two weeks progress, I might change from three 30 minute meals a day during week one to one 60 minute and two 30 minute meals a day during week two. I always like week two better!
After a couple of weeks, you will be very comfortable traveling and managing your Invisalign. Get in the habit of cleaning your teeth while you are out and about now, and you won't be so concerned or worried about managing while you travel. Because I never know if I will have access to a washroom, I always carry a bottle of water along with my tooth kit in case I don't have access to fresh water to brush.
Hope this helps!
However, I do still try to always wear the aligners for 22 hours daily. As the two weeks progress, I might change from three 30 minute meals a day during week one to one 60 minute and two 30 minute meals a day during week two. I always like week two better!
After a couple of weeks, you will be very comfortable traveling and managing your Invisalign. Get in the habit of cleaning your teeth while you are out and about now, and you won't be so concerned or worried about managing while you travel. Because I never know if I will have access to a washroom, I always carry a bottle of water along with my tooth kit in case I don't have access to fresh water to brush.
Hope this helps!
Day 5!
well its going better, the preasure is gone and the tray (I only have one upper, thats why singular!) is starting to get more loose I think. Have been wearing it for 22hours each day, apart from Saturday, I had it out for about 4 hours in a row when I went out
But it fitted fine afterwards, and i guess i do it again like that. If I am very good for 6 days a week (means wearing it for 22+ hours each day), one day wearing it less should be ok I assume?
I want to start with my new tray Sunday evening (instead of Thursday), so by the time its the weekend it won't be the first critical days anymore. So I gues I wear my first tray a few days longer.
I do find them ok comfortable by the way, only the constant teeth brushing is very annoying.. especially when I'm not at home of course.
well its going better, the preasure is gone and the tray (I only have one upper, thats why singular!) is starting to get more loose I think. Have been wearing it for 22hours each day, apart from Saturday, I had it out for about 4 hours in a row when I went out
But it fitted fine afterwards, and i guess i do it again like that. If I am very good for 6 days a week (means wearing it for 22+ hours each day), one day wearing it less should be ok I assume?
I want to start with my new tray Sunday evening (instead of Thursday), so by the time its the weekend it won't be the first critical days anymore. So I gues I wear my first tray a few days longer.
I do find them ok comfortable by the way, only the constant teeth brushing is very annoying.. especially when I'm not at home of course.
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Phantom Muse
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:38 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL
I don't know if it is ever a good idea to "slack," but my ortho did tell me that a night out here and there (where I don't wear the aligners for 4-5 hours) won't throw my treatment out of whack. I have never done it because now that I am used to the aligners, I actually feel better wearing them. If I don't leave them out for too long, then I don't have to deal with the tightness when putting them back in (although around Day 10 the tightness subsides for the most part).
Some people have great luck with treatment even when they wear them less than 22 hours daily (my ortho suggested wearing them 20 hours daily), but I want to be out of them as soon as I can, so I am hoping to maximize my time and get the absolute best results possible as soon as possible (although wearing them 22+ hours daily doesn't guarantee a shortened treatment time - but I aim to try!)
but my ortho did tell me that a night out here and there (where I don't wear the aligners for 4-5 hours) won't throw my treatment out of whack. I have never done it because now that I am used to the aligners, I actually feel better wearing them. If I don't leave them out for too long, then I don't have to deal with the tightness when putting them back in (although around Day 10 the tightness subsides for the most part). Some people have great luck with treatment even when they wear them less than 22 hours daily (my ortho suggested wearing them 20 hours daily), but I want to be out of them as soon as I can, so I am hoping to maximize my time and get the absolute best results possible as soon as possible (although wearing them 22+ hours daily doesn't guarantee a shortened treatment time - but I aim to try!)
Going for my x-rays and having my impressions taken on Friday. EEek. Finding all the info on here really useful. I'm sure I'll have some questions once I get my aligners. Was originally going to go with the Inman Aligner but read some messages that really put me off. Decided to go with the slow but sure method plus a girl I work with recommended invisalign to me.
How long do the aligners normally take to come through after the main consult. Someone said 2 weeks but some say about 3-4 weeks.
How long do the aligners normally take to come through after the main consult. Someone said 2 weeks but some say about 3-4 weeks.
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Phantom Muse
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:38 pm
- Location: Chicago, IL
Hoolie - Turn-around time may depend upon your location and also whether or not your ortho is an Invisalign Preferred provider. From my understanding, patients in the US generally get their trays faster than patients elsewhere, and preferred providers also get their patient's trays faster. I have a preferred provider (in the US), and my trays were ready 14 days after my impressions were taken.
I am hoping the turn-around will be as fast if I need refinements down the road!
I am hoping the turn-around will be as fast if I need refinements down the road!
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newsazzysmile15
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:19 am
- Location: UK
[quote="hoolie"]Thanks for getting back so quickly. I'm in England and going to a guy at London Bridge and he is an invisalign platinum service provider so hopefully won't have to wait too long. Just want straight teeth now. :0)[/quote
good luck! I go to a place that sounds VERY similar (!) and I got mine within 2weeks so you should too! That is once I accepted clin check though! That takes 2 weeks from date of impressions, and then 2weeks to get aligners in and then can usually get them fitted next day! I've had mine 4weeks now and have no regrets! Nooone has noticed yet at work or any of my friends that don't know!
Hope it All goes well!
good luck! I go to a place that sounds VERY similar (!) and I got mine within 2weeks so you should too! That is once I accepted clin check though! That takes 2 weeks from date of impressions, and then 2weeks to get aligners in and then can usually get them fitted next day! I've had mine 4weeks now and have no regrets! Nooone has noticed yet at work or any of my friends that don't know!
Hope it All goes well!
Fingers crossed I might get them just before Easter weekend. Pushing it a bit I know but it would be nice to get them so I have a long weekend to get used to them. You don't go to Michael by any chancenewsazzysmile15 wrote:hoolie wrote:Thanks for getting back so quickly. I'm in England and going to a guy at London Bridge and he is an invisalign platinum service provider so hopefully won't have to wait too long. Just want straight teeth now. :0)[/quote
good luck! I go to a place that sounds VERY similar (!) and I got mine within 2weeks so you should too! That is once I accepted clin check though! That takes 2 weeks from date of impressions, and then 2weeks to get aligners in and then can usually get them fitted next day! I've had mine 4weeks now and have no regrets! Nooone has noticed yet at work or any of my friends that don't know!
Hope it All goes well!