Progress pix - Invisalign uppers & metal/ceramic lowers

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#1 Post by **smilesunset** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 4:12 pm

Before (please excuse the terrible color/staining!)

After seven months with Invisalign uppers and metal/ceramic lowers:

#2 Post by **cakeorbed** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:57 am

That's great progress!! Congratulations - how much longer have you got?

#3 Post by **smilesunset** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 5:16 pm

Thanks so much cakeorbed (love your username!). I'll probably have another year or so in the fixed braces and at least another four months in the Invisalign (probably more).

I never take photos of my teeth so it was a huge shock to me to see these pictures side-by-side and see how much things have moved! I guess day to day, you don't really notice the changes so much, you focus more on what is still left to do, right?

When I was considering braces, I was obsessed with looking at 'before and after' pix, so I guess I thought it was worth posting these for anyone else in the same position (even though I really, really hate looking at the pre-braces photo - yuck!).

#4 Post by **dienteschuecos** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:30 pm

Hi, congrats on your progress. I was just wondering if you had your teeth whitened before or after braces/Invisalign? I have some bad stains, too, but didn't get my teeth whitened before I got my braces (only been 5 days). However, I'm using a toothpaste w/whitener and now that I'm brushing my teeth 3-4 times a day I'm hoping it lifts the stains.

#5 Post by **epiphany7** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:53 pm

Dientes -

be careful about whitening your teeth with braces on!!! The last thing you want is to have really white teeth - EXCEPT the spot where the brackets were placed. Remember, the whitening agents can't get behind the bonding agent that holds the bracket to your tooth. You might want to wait to do any of that sort of thing until AFTER the braces come off...

#6 Post by **smilesunset** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:13 am

Thanks dienteschuecos. I whitened my teeth before the braces went on. I agree with epiphany7 that it's best not to do whitening when they're on. However, your hygienist should be able to get rid of a lot of discoloration and staining without using whitening. Good luck!

#7 Post by **dienteschuecos** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 1:21 pm

Thanks to you both! I will switch to a non-whitening toothpaste.