I just started treatment!

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#1 Post by **flesym12** » Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:38 pm

At 22, I finally took the plunge to get my teeth straightened! My siblings had more crooked teeth than I did so my parents paid to get theirs fixed first. Now that I've moved out and making my own money, I just did it myself!

I had just moved into the area, so I picked an ortho that accepted my insurance, did Invisalign, and was near my work and home. My first visit was a free consultation where the doctor said I would be a perfect Invisalign candidate! My next visit they took molds/x-rays, and the next we discussed about paying for the treatment and took the molds to send to Invisalign. Finally a few days ago my 20U/10L set came in and I pur my first set in!

My treatment will last about a year. I'm on my first retainer with no attachments. They'll put the attachments on in 2 weeks in order for my teeth to first get used to just the retainers. I'll have 7 attachments -- 2 on my lower 1st bicuspids, 1 on my lower left canine, and 4 on my front upper teeth

The first day was a bit painful to get them on/off but that's probably because I started treatment in the morning and I had to remove the retainers only hours later for lunch. But I have a feeling this is going to be much more difficult once I get my attachments on. Those front teeth really need a rotation! Any advice on removing the aligners with lots of attachments in?

I also have a lisp now

. Any advice on getting rid of it? I'm avoiding talking to people too much because I feel silly talking with a lisp.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!

#2 Post by **lomdogs** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:28 pm

Your tongue will get used to the aligners being in, so don't worry that the lisp will stay forever. Mine stayed for quite awhile and sometimes it comes back when I change aligners, but then it goes away again. I don't think it's too hard to get the aligners off with attachments, but I have always had attachments so I have nothing to compare it to. Good luck!

#3 Post by **John37** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:26 am

Your talking will get better. Try not to talk too fast or loud in the mean time. That's when I would start to lisp.

Ask for a plastic hook to help get the aligners off after you get the attachments. It takes a little experimenting to figure out the best way to pop them off. For example, on your lower you probably want to start on the side with only one attachment and work around to the other side.

#4 Post by **bint3gra** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:47 pm

I just started yesterday, I have 8 attachements in total. 4 Four on top, and 4 on the bottom. It's not that bad getting the retainers off. Always start from the back of the mouth and work your way around. I must admit though, that crack sound makes me cringe all the time.
Talking isnt so bad, but I felt really self conscious of trying to hide my "mouth guard". Good luck! let us know how you do.

#5 Post by **flesym12** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 6:16 pm

Just got my attachments yesterday. They suck! As I expected, the retainers are now very difficult to remove. It takes 30 minutes and bloodied finger nails to get them off. I skipped lunch yesterday and today, and made up for it with a big breakfast and a big dinner. I ordered some plastic plastic hooks to help me remove them. They can't get here soon enough ...

#6 Post by **John37** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 1:22 am

I think someone here has suggested using tweezers to get the aligners off, but I've never tried it. That may help pull the back off, but the hooks will probably be better for pulling the aligners away from the attachments.

#7 Post by **ILoveNiceTeeth** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:28 am

yeah things get a lot trickier when you get attachments. However I must say keep those nails growing... I use my nails to peel the aligners off the attachments from the back. my nails are now long and i'm afraid of cutting them because i know i wouldnt be able to take their babies out without them.