Tray 2

I successfully completed two weeks of my Invisalign treatment on 4/25/13. It has been a bit of a challenge getting used to a new oral hygiene routine. Dining out has become a bit more complicated, I went out to dinner with some friends and could only have alcohol with my meal, what a bummer! I called it quits after that since I had to brush and floss to get the aligners back in. I have been very compliant with the suggested 22hr wear time, but at times it feels like a sacrifice. I find myself brushing and flossing in my car when restrooms aren't an option. Which reminds me a small bottled water would make a good addition to the travel kit post I have. I need to remember to add that. I did have a lisp when I started tray 1, which has gone away. I work at a call center so I pretty much talk for a living. I got a lot of practice in and the lisp was only around for about 2 days. The tissue on the floor of my mouth does get sore from time to time. The edges of my trays rub against the soft tissue irritating it. I noticed it more on the first days of tray 1 and its back now that I started tray 2. I remember reading other invisalign blogs suggesting to carry water and lip balm... BOY !! Did they get that right. I definitely drink more water now than I did before. All the talking at work dries out my mouth and I also notice that I'm constantly re-applying lip balm.

The invisalign trays in my opinion are not noticeable at all, in fact my family even forgets that I'm wearing them. I don't think anyone at work noticed until I informed them. I still smile without any hesitation, and believe it or not I forget that I'm wearing them most of the time. The treatment has been great so far with minimal discomfort but I can honestly say NO PAIN.... so far. I'm waiting for it. The attachments don't bother me at all anymore, although they do make the aligners more visible.

I switched trays on Thursday(4/25) before bed, this was highly recommended by many Invisalign bloggers because as I mentioned before the first few days of any new tray are the worst. The trays felt very tight, and made my teeth ache but I fell asleep without any problem and in the morning the trays felt just fine.  I didn't have any trouble taking them off or putting them back in. I am currently on Tray 2 Day 5. The questions I get asked more about invisalign are "do you have to wear them even when you sleep?" Which is funny because this is always asked after I inform them that I must wear them 22hrs in a day lol. I also get asked "Can you eat with the aligners on?" I don't mind the question at all, my family and friends are just curious about the treatment. This is definitely a big adjustment to anyone's lifestyle but it'll be well worth it in my opinion.

Picture time....

Taken on 4/25 after completing 2wks with Tray 1

 

Thanks for reading :)

Tray 1 with Attachments/Buttons

Hello Again!

Today at 6pm will mark 48hrs of wearing my first invisalign tray. My teeth are a bit sore right now but it's not unbearable, lets not get ahead of ourselves and start at the beginning...

On Friday, April 11th, I had an appointment with my orthodontist at 4:30pm. I was able to see my clinic check and we discussed my treatment plan. They estimate my treatment will last between 12-16 months. I'm starting off with a set of 10 trays. Once I complete the 10 trays another set of moldings will be made to make further adjustments. I was also explained that in my treatment attachments/buttons need to be added. What are attachment? They are small little bumps created on your teeth made out of filling composite. They are used to help certain teeth move a bit more by adding more pressure when the trays are inserted into place. I have seven attachments all together.  These attachments will stay during my entire treatment. The dentist started by cleaning the teeth to prep for attachments, she then used an Invisalign template which looked exactly as my first tray but made of a more flexible material. This template had little pockets that my orthodontist filled with filling material. Afterwards she had her assistant harden the filling composite with a bright blue curing light. After the material hardened the buttons are smoothed out to get rid of hard edges. My first Invisalign tray was then put into place. The trays fit very snug but no where near as bad as I had imaged it. I was given a "patient starter kit" that contained: 2 invisalign storage cases & Instruction pamphlet. Along with the started kit I was also given Tray 2 and Tray 3. I am going to wear each tray for 2 weeks and I'm due to see my Ortho on May 25th to check my progress and get my next set of trays(tray 4,5 &6).... so 48hrs later here I am giving you an update. I haven't felt the need to take pain relievers so that's awesome. Here are some pictures of the aligners in.

7 Attachments- Two(2) are on my top left central incisor, one(1) on my top right canine(cuspid), one(1) on my bottom left bicuspid, one(1) on my bottom left canine, one(1) on my bottom right bicuspid and one(1) on my bottom right canine.

 

Patient Starter Kit

 

Tray 2 & Tray 3

Trays are in! Appointment set for 4/11

I received a call from my dentist office today :) My trays have finally arrived. I wanted to rush out and pick them up ASAP. I was allowed to leave work early but my dentist wasn't available this afternoon. I was very DISSAPOINTED! I shouldn't be, the dentist office did everything they could to schedule an appointment for me but our schedules completely mismatched. The earliest appointment I could schedule was for 4/11/13 at 4:30pm. I was told by the dental assistant that this appointment will take about 45 minutes since attachments/buttons have to be added. I was very surprised by this news, I thought I would have my first tray in without attachments. I'll also be able to see my clinic check for the first time and discuss my treatment in detail with the dentist. I'm very happy to know when my treatment will start. I'll be sure to post more info after my appointment. I'll also add some pictures of my aligners :)