Borderline for Invisalign - please help!

Message

#1 Post by **Skylark** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:32 am

Hi, I need some advice for a difficult decision.

I've been unhappy with my top teeth for a couple of years - mainly because despite extensive orthodontics during my teens (4 extractions, 2 years metal braces, 2 years retainers) they are becoming increasingly crooked (I'm 26 now).

I've found myself a great orthodontist and have spent a couple of months getting them shaved to create more room. Had an appt yesterday and all's going fine and that my smile will improve but he thinks that really the only way to fix my crooked bite properly would be a ceramic brace. He says we can go for clear aligners but that that will take longer and that although there'll be an improvement in my smile, the bite won't be perfect. Price is the same either way and I have a month to decide. Fixed brace would be on for 5 months.

The other option is to carry on with the clear ones and opt for ceramic braces if necessary at a later date but that is likely to prolong treatment.

I'm actually really only concerned about 2 crooked teeth - the rest are fairly even (I wasn't aware I had such a bad bite til they did the molds!) Fixed braces seem such a trauma to go through when clear aligners will probably improve those two teeth - or should I go for it and get my bite sorted once and for all?

Thing is, I hated having braces as a teenager and don't have much self confidence so I really don't know if I could cope with a fixed brace. I have a big smile so not much chance of hiding it. I have a supportive boyfriend but I just don't know if I can bear fixed braces at the age of 26!

Are clear aligners really invisible?? And how noticable are ceramic braces? (mine would just be for the top jaw).

I'd love to hear from people (particularly those in the UK) - I read Florencegal's string on this forum and really empathised with several of you!

Thanks very much

xxx

#2 Post by **prettybutterfly** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:09 am

Skylark,

I'm 23 and got invisalign 3 weeks ago. I had the same problem as you and did NOT wish to walk around with metal or even ceramic braces all over my teeth, being selfconsious!!! So I decided on invisalign and was SOOOOO scared about the whole visibility issue! When I finally got the 1st aligner on I was freaking out for the first hour because I felt it was obvious to the whole world. Honestly it was all in my head!!!!! I promise you that it's completely invisible if you stand one arms length away from people. Maybe even less. I even have bottons on my front teeth but NO ONE has noticed! Not even my dad that I spend all day with yesterday, I didn't tell him about it and don't plan to, since he didn't notice anything.
I LOVE invisalign so far. I'm so happy I did this, without invisalign I would NEVER have started to correct my teeth! Good luck whatever you decide!

#3 Post by **tulip** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:13 pm

When I got mine, my husband didn't even notice, nor my best friend. So far only one person at work noticed, and that is because we were REALLY close together with our heads over a drawing, other than that, people have NO IDEA.

#4 Post by **invisagirl** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:42 pm

I had Invisalign for over two years and some people noticed right away and others never did. I guess the thing you need to decide is how bothered would you be in your bite got worse? I had no idea that Invisalign was going to change the bite I had for the worse so maybe had I known I would of been a little smarter making the decision.

I would suggest talking to the ortho about how Invisalign would correct those teeth and see what the ramifications would be (i.e. if they move all your other teeth to make room for those two). Also ask how long he thinks you would be wearing Invisalign. I mean would you rather go with Invisalign even if it took twice as long? Just make sure all your questions are answered before you make your decision. Good luck!

#5 Post by **Skylark** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 11:50 am

Hiya,

Thanks very much for your replies - I certainly need to talk to my orthodontist more before I can decide as I don't actually know how bad my bite is.

Also, one of the 2 teeth I'm most worried about is high up in my gum compared to the other teeth. The specialist says this may be quite hard to correct with clear aligners as they apparently only move teeth from side to side, not up or down - anyone know more about this?? They are expecting me to have decided by next appt (in a month) but I think I'll try to phone my ortho for more info....

Invisagirl - you say you had invisalign to begin with and now have fixed braces. In hindsight would you have just gone for the fixed ones? How do they compare appearance-wise (are yours ceramic)?

And anyone with ceramic braces, what has their effect been on your appearance/ self esteem?

Thanks again for your replies, I'm really glad I found this site - now I don't feel like the only adult with these issues!

xx

#6 Post by **Svensk Tiger** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:50 am

Hi from another Brit!

I have metal braces and a friend of mine has ceramic. I can honestly say that her ceramic braces are so much more invisible than mine. I'm not sure if this helps at all but thought I'd add my thoughts on the matter.

Its entirely up to you but if all you're worried about is visibility I would seriously consider going with the ceramics if they will give you a better result. As Meryaten said, a better bite will tend to be more stable in the long run. It would be a shame for you to go through this and then have to do it all again in a few years time. For the sake of five months (you lucky thing!) do consider the ceramic.

This is easy for me to say because I'm not at all bothered by my braces. I'm the same age as you and at first I was really nervous and absolutely convinced that everyone was staring at me. They weren't. You really do get used to it.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do

#7 Post by **Skylark** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:22 am

Hi.

Thanks so much for your replies.

It really is the visibility issue that's the problem. I had full metal braces as a teenager and hated it, so it's reassuring to hear people say ceramics are less obvious.

And you're right - it's only for 5 months, and only on top jaw. Since coming on here I've realised that lots of people are in worse positions with head gear/operations, etc.

Svensk Tiger - thanks for your advice in particular. You say you have full metal braces and don't even mind them! I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it? When do yours come off? Hope your operation goes well!

Am going to try to get hold of my ortho to discuss it more, but you've made me realise that if I do have to go for fixed ones then maybe it won't be so bad and the outcome will be better.....

Thanks again

#8 Post by **invisagirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 10:02 am

Hi Skylark,

Mine are the plain metal. I chose that cause my sister had ceramics and I thought they were more noticeable. In retrospect, on the whole Invisalign thing, I wish I would of been more knowledgable on the whole thing. I trusted that ortho completely and he wasn't the kind of person you could trust. In the end I'm sure it will be all worth it but right now I'm a little sick of the whole thing.

I do have to say though, it was no problem for me when only my upper arch was braced. Now that I truly have a full mouth full of metal I'm a little sick of it...

#9 Post by **invisagirl** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:01 pm

Thanks Meryaten I'm glad I'm not the only one! I'm sure this will all be worth it in the end but at the moment I'm a little sick of it all.

#10 Post by **Sbebs** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:35 pm

If your ortho thinks your eligable then I say go for it. Unfortunately for me I have to get full on braces instead. Luckily- I have the ceramic option to keep it less noticeable since I am a young working professional.

Good luck in your decision!

#11 Post by **BlahBlah** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:39 pm

Go for Linguals

lol