Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi. I'm so glad I found this forum! I'm 24, female, never had braces, minor upper crowding, moderate lower, good bite, very toothy smile (this would be a good thing if my teeth were nice!). I've wanted Invisalign since high school. A few years ago (when I was about 21) I went to two different consultations. They both said I needed to extract 4 teeth and have fixed braces for two years. I did not like the sound of this extraction so I opted not to do anything. A few weeks ago I went to an Invisalign premier orthodontist (he also does fixed braces) and he said invisalign CAN widen my arch without extraction. He said I might need fixed on my bottom arch for about 6 months AFTER invisalign to rotate and tweek my canines. He said I would need invisalign for two years. So, I dont know what to do. If it were pure invisalign I would do it in a heartbeat. Should I see another orthodontist? I mean this guy is the ONLY one so far who thinks invisalign will work for me. He's suppose to be one of the best though. My bite is good so I dont NEED this, I just want perfect straight teeth. By the time I get fixed on my bottom teeth I'll be 26! yipes! But having a beautiful wide smile sounds so nice! Any advice? Ive been reading a lot on how people were NOT happy with invisalign. I havent read anyone who had invisalign for 2 years. that would be over 50 aligners! Is it less likely to work the more trays you have???

Hi Pearlie

I would be scared to go with invisalign if I were you to be honest! If I were you I would get lingual braces. That way no one can tell anyway, and it's probably safer for you! Especially if he's already talking about you needing fixed braces after invisalign. Invisalign is great and I love it but I also think it's a pain in the butt having to take them out each meal. I'm often afraid people think I'm bulimic when I keep running to the bathroom after eating! So to me it sounds like it's not worth the hassle if you end up in fixed braces in the end anyway, go with linguals from the beginning!!!
Good luck and let us know what you end up doing!!!

I really wanted to get a consultation for linguals. However, I can't find an ortho in a 100 mile radius that even does linguals! I live in north carolina.