Just got invisalign
Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:15 am
Hi everyone.
I just got my invisalign yesterday, and thought i would share my experiences seing as it helped me so much reading everyone elses stories on this board when I was thinking about invisalign.
I went in for my appointment at about 9.30 and was out less than an hour later.
It all started with the ortho assistant getting me set up in the chair. First up came the cheek retractors to keep my mouth open and keep my lips and tongue off my teeth. Next came a tongue retractor, a pretty uncomfortable device which made me want to gage.But she promised it would only last 15 minutes! Finally, I got to wear some pretty unattractive dark glasses to protect me from the light (also came in pretty handy as protection from the water spraying everywhere during their cleaning).
After that my ortho came in to fit some attachments, little bumps on the teeth. This came as a bit of a suprise, from reading these boards I thought they would let me get used to the aligners for a few weeks first. But with a mouth full of contraptions I couldnt say anything, besides, I'm sure the experts know what they are doing!
Fitting the attachments started with a scale and clean. Then he put a mould over my teeth which had the attachment gue in it, which was set using a blue light. I was very impressed to only end up with 4 on top and 6 on the bottom, and all on the sides so not visible from the front. Originally he thought I might need lots more.
Once the attachments were on, and with me still silenced by the dreaded retractors, my ortho announced it was time for some slenderising or IPL.That is where they shave down the sides of your teeth to make space for crowded teeth to move. EEK I thought they'd at least let me get used to the attachments before nasties like this.
Seing as I still couldnt say anything in protest, I had to keep my tongue out of the way while a rotating blade was put in between my teeth and clouds of 'tooth dust' billowed out of my mouth. The smell of crushed bone was pretty yuck and I felt sure I must look hideous with huge gaps between my teeth. But when it was finally over I have to admit it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be, and when i looked in the mirror I couldnt see any gaps at all. I can only notice them when I floss, and feel space instead of resistance.
Now it was finally over, my ortho fitted my aligner and sent me to the cleaning station to rinse and practice taking the aligner out with instructions from the assistant. She has invisalign too, and tried to give me helpful tips on how to remove it. I wrestled with the top one For a good 10 minutes before she got me a crochet hook to help out. Finally I got it out- and couldnt wait to put it back on. The attachments felt hugs and were scratching the inside on my mouth.
I didnt eat lunch it was impossible to get them off, but I managed it by dinner. Think I might end up being really skinny by the end of this though!
Overall, I am really impressed by the invisibility factor. The only thing you can really see (and only if you look close) is the attachments. And mine are at the side so not too obvious.
A day later I am starting to find it easier to get the trays in and out. The attachments are sore when I chew, but hopefully I will get used to it soon.No speech trouble at all. I went to the gym and for a massage after, and no one noticed.
On the whole I am so glad I went through with invisalign, rather than ordinary braces. I have 17 lower and 18 upper, so cant wait till next march when they come off!
Goodluck to everyone with your treatments
I just got my invisalign yesterday, and thought i would share my experiences seing as it helped me so much reading everyone elses stories on this board when I was thinking about invisalign.
I went in for my appointment at about 9.30 and was out less than an hour later.
It all started with the ortho assistant getting me set up in the chair. First up came the cheek retractors to keep my mouth open and keep my lips and tongue off my teeth. Next came a tongue retractor, a pretty uncomfortable device which made me want to gage.But she promised it would only last 15 minutes! Finally, I got to wear some pretty unattractive dark glasses to protect me from the light (also came in pretty handy as protection from the water spraying everywhere during their cleaning).
After that my ortho came in to fit some attachments, little bumps on the teeth. This came as a bit of a suprise, from reading these boards I thought they would let me get used to the aligners for a few weeks first. But with a mouth full of contraptions I couldnt say anything, besides, I'm sure the experts know what they are doing!
Fitting the attachments started with a scale and clean. Then he put a mould over my teeth which had the attachment gue in it, which was set using a blue light. I was very impressed to only end up with 4 on top and 6 on the bottom, and all on the sides so not visible from the front. Originally he thought I might need lots more.
Once the attachments were on, and with me still silenced by the dreaded retractors, my ortho announced it was time for some slenderising or IPL.That is where they shave down the sides of your teeth to make space for crowded teeth to move. EEK I thought they'd at least let me get used to the attachments before nasties like this.
Seing as I still couldnt say anything in protest, I had to keep my tongue out of the way while a rotating blade was put in between my teeth and clouds of 'tooth dust' billowed out of my mouth. The smell of crushed bone was pretty yuck and I felt sure I must look hideous with huge gaps between my teeth. But when it was finally over I have to admit it was no where near as bad as I thought it would be, and when i looked in the mirror I couldnt see any gaps at all. I can only notice them when I floss, and feel space instead of resistance.Now it was finally over, my ortho fitted my aligner and sent me to the cleaning station to rinse and practice taking the aligner out with instructions from the assistant. She has invisalign too, and tried to give me helpful tips on how to remove it. I wrestled with the top one For a good 10 minutes before she got me a crochet hook to help out. Finally I got it out- and couldnt wait to put it back on. The attachments felt hugs and were scratching the inside on my mouth.
I didnt eat lunch it was impossible to get them off, but I managed it by dinner. Think I might end up being really skinny by the end of this though!
Overall, I am really impressed by the invisibility factor. The only thing you can really see (and only if you look close) is the attachments. And mine are at the side so not too obvious.
A day later I am starting to find it easier to get the trays in and out. The attachments are sore when I chew, but hopefully I will get used to it soon.No speech trouble at all. I went to the gym and for a massage after, and no one noticed.
On the whole I am so glad I went through with invisalign, rather than ordinary braces. I have 17 lower and 18 upper, so cant wait till next march when they come off!
Goodluck to everyone with your treatments
