I started yesterday, and ugh, I could use some "so glad I did it" stories.
I have 15 attachments on my teeth, which is a lot more than I expected. They're on all of my top incisors and canines, among other teeth. I have none on my bottom incisors, but I wouldn't care so much if I had them there! The orthodontist commented on how big some of them are, I guess they're not always so prominent. In a month I go back to have posts added for rubber bands as well, which will bring me up to 17 attachments.
Eating is a completely unenjoyable experience. It feels like I constantly have food on the front of my teeth because of the attachments. I can't imagine how I am going to eat in front of clients, business prospects, etc. for the next year or so, because I can't tell when I have food caught on the attachments and when I don't. The attachments are also really sharp when I have the trays off.
I also miss sipping drinks that are not water. Coffee, mostly. If I get to training longer, either running or on my bike, I will miss being able to use sport nutrition drinks of any kind. Plus it's just pretty uncomfortable. And expensive.
This is worth it, right? Because it's not feeling like it in the moment!
I did Invisalign many years ago, and I'm glad I did it in the sense that my teeth are straight now, which was my end goal, but I had a cross bite and it made my cross bite worse, so that was (still is) a bummer.
I only had I think 2 little attachments though, maybe three, and eventually I had one regular style braces bracket and an oddly notched tray that I wore for extra time with a rubber band because one of my teeth just wasn't moving (it never did move the full predicted amount). I think if I was in your situation and had 15-17 attachments I would be pretty pissed though. At that point it kind of seems like you might as well have full, actual braces.
I did them. I never would have done then though if I didn't have to. I had one tooth that was actively moving milimeters a month. It was on the move with no signs of slowing down! And uncomfortable.
I wore them way less than I should have. Usually enough to get to the next tray and not get yelled at by the Orthodontist except the last few visits. Then I told him that I was done 100% and didn't want any fine tuning adjustments. I also knew I would not wear my retainer and got the permanent bars to keep my teeth in place which are a problem because now I build up a ton of plaque and have a hard time flossing. But if I didn't get them I knew my teeth would move again.
But I am happy with it because the tooth is no longer moving and painful. But yeah cosmetically my teeth were fine, so I probably wouldn't do it for cosmetic reasons unless I was super unhappy with my smile.
As far as the attachments give it 2 weeks. You will get used to them. I don't remember getting a ton of food in them, just brush your teeth/ do a teeth check after you eat.
I have not done them, but I really would like to. I had braces as a teen and never wore my retainers because I went to college and who wants a retainer in college?
I'm just here for the "I'm glad I did it" stories. My cousin's wife had them and her teeth look great, so I know at least one actual person who has done it and recommends it. My other cousin got braces again as a 30-something and feels like a teenager, but apparently the trays were not an option for her.
I did it and I love the results. I also like that I still have the trays so that if I forget to wear my retainer for awhile then I can put them in and get them back to where they should be. I only had the little dots though for attachments - no real braces stuff like you're describing. That sounds unfun. Only a year isn't bad though.
I think if I was in your situation and had 15-17 attachments I would be pretty pissed though. At that point it kind of seems like you might as well have full, actual braces.
That is sort of how I feel... I mean at least if I had regular braces I would not have to give up coffee! I don't have to give it up full stop, but having to drink it down fast, brush, and put my trays back in after is a major limitation on how much I can drink it and enjoy it.
At least Invisalign is faster than braces, I guess because they can pull harder on teeth with worrying about the max strain before a wire breaks. I change trays every 10 days, and should be done in a year or less.
I just really was not prepared for 15-17 semi-permanent attachments, right front and center on my smile. MH says they're not noticeable when I have the trays out, but they're really uncomfortable at least right now. I think I have so many because of the type of correction I need (open bite) but I wish I'd had more of a heads up.
I think if I was in your situation and had 15-17 attachments I would be pretty pissed though. At that point it kind of seems like you might as well have full, actual braces.
That is sort of how I feel... I mean at least if I had regular braces I would not have to give up coffee! I don't have to give it up full stop, but having to drink it down fast, brush, and put my trays back in after is a major limitation on how much I can drink it and enjoy it.
At least Invisalign is faster than braces, I guess because they can pull harder on teeth with worrying about the max strain before a wire breaks. I change trays every 10 days, and should be done in a year or less.
I just really was not prepared for 15-17 semi-permanent attachments, right front and center on my smile. MH says they're not noticeable when I have the trays out, but they're really uncomfortable at least right now. I think I have so many because of the type of correction I need (open bite) but I wish I'd had more of a heads up.
Not being able to snack/drink annoyed me too, but I actually got over that pretty quickly (although sadly I though it would help me drop a few pounds, and it did not). I just got to used to drinking ice water all the time.
The little dot attachments really are more noticeable to you than the are to other people though, if that makes you feel better. I know people didn't notice mine unless I pointed them out and they took a close look, and a friend of ours did Invisalign in the last year or two, and I couldn't tell you if he had the attachments or not. He did have some sort of an issue though, and had to go into regular full braces for like 2 months though, and then was back to the clear aligners.
I'm still great about wearing my retainer (which is actually just my last aligner, because they never gave me my official retainer like they were supposed to). I sometimes skip a day or two if I'm sick (it stick to my mouth if I'm mouth breathing due to a bad cold and I hate that), but it's always painful when I put it back in, so I know if I went without my teeth would start shifting again.
Dh just started too and is finding it annoying. He has 8-10 attachments I think. His trays are really add to get in and out too. But he really didn’t want silver braces and you don’t notice them so I think he thinks it’s worth it. He had braces forever as a kid and had forgotten how much they sucked. He just wants it over with now.
Haven’t done Invisalign but I did regular braces when I was a teen. If the attachments are rubbing/hurting the inside of your lip that probably will get better. I remember that feeling really raw when I first had braces put on but your mouth toughens up to it.
With regular braces we could put wax on them, but I kind of hated that even more.
Post by farfalla2011 on Mar 9, 2018 17:17:40 GMT -5
Didn't do invisalign, but had traditional braces a few years ago. I'm so glad I had them, but it totally sucked. I bet after a week or so, the feeling of the attachments will get less noticeable. I know that was the case with regular braces.
Didn't do invisalign, but had traditional braces a few years ago. I'm so glad I had them, but it totally sucked. I bet after a week or so, the feeling of the attachments will get less noticeable. I know that was the case with regular braces.
Same. I got actual braces for the 2nd time at 30 because I didnt trust myself to wear Invisalign as often as needed. When I first got them I had a strong feeling of "fuck. what did I get myself into?!", but I quickly adjusted and it was one of the best things I ever did for myself. I also had concerns about eating with clients, etc. Hang in there. I promise it won't seem as overwhelming after a few weeks.
I did Invisalign but had no attachments. I only had one tray, as my teeth were just a little off. I still have it 15+ years later though I haven’t worn it in 10 years. I am certain my teeth have shifted back but I was very happy with the results, though probably only noticeable to myself.
Last time I went to the dentist, he said I was the perfect candidate for Invisalign, but I had no idea how they worked. I’m glad read this thread! I used to have almost perfect teeth, but the bottom ones have slid forward. My mom had to have real braces in her 40s and used my college graduation as a reason for her orthodontist to take them off a little early, so it’s no surprise that I need them at this age.
I'm on week 4 of my invisalign treatment. I have a lot of attachments and I also have elastics. I have 25 trays initially, and then I will have refinements for sure once my Carriere appliance comes off.
I had it. I tried to wear it as often as I could but I still drank coffee and tried not to drive myself too crazy. I'm sure it's different for each person but my orthodontist said she's had people who would wear it only at night because the daytime was too busy - it would take twice as long to go from one set to the next, but it was doable. With that many attachments though, it sounds like there's some serious work being done
I had it. I tried to wear it as often as I could but I still drank coffee and tried not to drive myself too crazy. I'm sure it's different for each person but my orthodontist said she's had people who would wear it only at night because the daytime was too busy - it would take twice as long to go from one set to the next, but it was doable. With that many attachments though, it sounds like there's some serious work being done
This is probably where my motivation is flagging, because my smile looks fine. My teeth are naturally very straight, have enough room, etc. I'm doing it to close my open bite, which no one but me notices (it's become difficult bite/eat certain things).
With a mouth full of attachments, I am not interested in taking twice as long. I want to get in and out, and get them removed as fast as possible. The attachments are sharp, and it actually kind of hurts to NOT wear the Invisalign trays over them. I'm going to be one of those 22 hours a day people out of self defense.
I have to call my orthodontist though, because I am pretty sure I have some kind of gap behind the attachment on my right central incisor. When I eat or drink anything dark in color, I can see it caught behind that one attachment. I have to get the toothbrush bristles down behind it to clean it out every time I eat. That seems like a recipe for a cavity, not to mention being fug and making me really self conscious about the whole affair.
I’m about 9 months into mine. I actually cried often during the first two weeks. I have 11 attachments I believe and the pain was horrible. I felt I had made a HUGE mistake. It was awful.
Now the pain is gone of course and that’s a distant memory. My teeth are much better, but the reason I got them was for one tooth that had shifted tremendously and that tooth is STILL resisting movement. It’s much better but I even have elastics now with the Invisalign. I am now wondering if I just should have gotten braces, but I’m too vain to do it at my age. The Invisalign won’t fix my overbite- I chose them because it was more this one tooth bothering me.
All in all the Invisalign has just been SO much more invasive and more of a pain than I ever thought. The commercials make it look so easy! And I don’t get how anyone wears them for 22 hour is on a regular basis. I have events or stuff to do (like nights out with friends, dinner parties, events in general) at least 2-3 days a week. If I leave for a party or work event at 4 I may not be home until midnight and I’m eating and drinking a majority of that time. I’ve found I wear them 15-17 hours a day max. Yesterday I had an event 12-3 and one 6-12. I probably wore them 10 hours yesterday. Not helping my progress at all.
I''ll start by saying I'm glad I did it. But, I had a zillion attachments plus rubber bands and I was so mad because it was in no way "invisible". Plus eating was such a pain. I gained weight because I shoved as much food as I could into my mouth when I had the aligners out.
I was not good about wearing the rubber bands so my doc gave up on that. My teeth are very straight, but my bite is not quite right, which is annoying. But I'm done and refuse to do it anymore.
foodiemom , I hear you. I am in that "I've made a huge mistake" period. Ugh. And yes, (cc froggy76) it is so frustrating that Invisalign is always depicted as this clear, unnoticeable option. For someone with a perfect bite who just needs some teeth straightened, maybe it is, but they don't talk about other cases. I knew I would likely need to do rubber bands, but I had no idea I would have attachments across all of my front teeth. By the time I found out, I was already committed, I'd put a couple $k down, the trays had come in, and I was in the chair to have them applied and be on my way. I didn't really feel like I had a chance to make an informed choice.
If you are getter cut or otherwise uncomfortable from the attachments go back to the orthodontist. They can do something about those pointy pieces that are bothering you like smooth them out etc.
Also they sell the stuff for braces over the counter. It's some kind of wax I think. You can put them over the parts that are making you uncomfortable and also on your mouth. It's called orthodontic wax.
I did it in college and was very happy w/the results. I did get used to the attachments and the constant brushing & flossing. For me, I think switching to new trays was the worst past - sometimes the discomfort affected my sleep or gave me headaches.
I don't envy you going through the process w/a law job and family to attend to. Hang in there, I think you'll be glad you did it.
I did it and it was a huge pain in the ass (sorry). I started out at 18 months, and four years later I gave up and went to metal braces on the top for 6 months. It will get better, I had several attachments and rubber bands. You'll hardly notice after a while.
foodiemom , I hear you. I am in that "I've made a huge mistake" period. Ugh. And yes, (cc froggy76 ) it is so frustrating that Invisalign is always depicted as this clear, unnoticeable option. For someone with a perfect bite who just needs some teeth straightened, maybe it is, but they don't talk about other cases. I knew I would likely need to do rubber bands, but I had no idea I would have attachments across all of my front teeth. By the time I found out, I was already committed, I'd put a couple $k down, the trays had come in, and I was in the chair to have them applied and be on my way. I didn't really feel like I had a chance to make an informed choice.
I felt just like you- that by the time I really understood what I was getting into, I'd already committed and put down a deposit. The beginning is rough- getting used to them, used to speaking. But honestly very few people probably ever really realized I had them. When I would go to work conferences or events, I wouldn't wear them much. I definitely didn't meet the 20-22 hour a day recommendation, but my teeth responded fine. And even though I thought the attachments were so noticeable, people I pointed them out to really couldn't tell. Just keep that in mind and know that it feels so obvious to you but they really aren't very noticeable. Even though I thought the whole thing was a PITA, it's a million times better than metal braces if you work in a professional environment.
foodiemom , I hear you. I am in that "I've made a huge mistake" period. Ugh. And yes, (cc froggy76) it is so frustrating that Invisalign is always depicted as this clear, unnoticeable option. For someone with a perfect bite who just needs some teeth straightened, maybe it is, but they don't talk about other cases. I knew I would likely need to do rubber bands, but I had no idea I would have attachments across all of my front teeth. By the time I found out, I was already committed, I'd put a couple $k down, the trays had come in, and I was in the chair to have them applied and be on my way. I didn't really feel like I had a chance to make an informed choice.
My ortho didn’t mention the attachments before either. Just the elastic on one side to correct my bite alignment. It was a surprise when I was told about an elastic on The other side (night only) and the attachments. Oh well.
One thing that does piss me off, is that my new boss isn’t patient with me when I’m trying to talk. I speak slow to enunciate and be clear despite my lisp, but also sometimes I have to suck spit out of the damn aligned. She’s very offensive, telling me to hurry up and making faces.
I’ve not done it yet, but am waiting on my trays to come in. I’m super nervous about the attachments. There’s a closed group on FB, I joined though - Invisalign Support.
foodiemom , I hear you. I am in that "I've made a huge mistake" period. Ugh. And yes, (cc froggy76 ) it is so frustrating that Invisalign is always depicted as this clear, unnoticeable option. For someone with a perfect bite who just needs some teeth straightened, maybe it is, but they don't talk about other cases. I knew I would likely need to do rubber bands, but I had no idea I would have attachments across all of my front teeth. By the time I found out, I was already committed, I'd put a couple $k down, the trays had come in, and I was in the chair to have them applied and be on my way. I didn't really feel like I had a chance to make an informed choice.
My ortho didn’t mention the attachments before either. Just the elastic on one side to correct my bite alignment. It was a surprise when I was told about an elastic on The other side (night only) and the attachments. Oh well.
One thing that does piss me off, is that my new boss isn’t patient with me when I’m trying to talk. I speak slow to enunciate and be clear despite my lisp, but also sometimes I have to suck spit out of the damn aligned. She’s very offensive, telling me to hurry up and making faces.
That's a seriously dick move. I have a little bit of a lisp now too, and I have to work to enunciate perfectly clearly. It's not bad, but the last thing I would need is someone giving me shit about it. Way to add insult to injury.
Post by whitemerlot on Mar 12, 2018 22:03:36 GMT -5
I’m following this because my husband is supposed to get Invisalign. He has a big gap between his two front teeth, but the big thing is one of the two front teeth has shifted forward quite a lot in the last 2 years. He really doesn’t want to get them put on, and didn’t know anything about attachments! I feel like the trays will be very obvious with the gap!
Just wanted to update because I got my attachments and first sets of trays this morning. I have 12 attachments (6 on top and 6 on the bottom). I was surprised at the number because my teeth are really pretty straight (the issue is mostly on the bottom), but I do know my dentist is trying to make my smile less narrow so that might be part of it. The attachments vary in size, and several are really tiny and I can barely see them, just feel a little bump with my finger. There are only 2 that really stand out to me. When I go back next month, I might ask if he can trim at least one of them down a little more.
Susie, my dentist said to definitely tell him if I feel like any of the attachments are sharp or still feel very noticeable after a couple of days and he will trim/polish them more. So it's possible they can adjust them if they are giving you trouble.
I’m following this because my husband is supposed to get Invisalign. He has a big gap between his two front teeth, but the big thing is one of the two front teeth has shifted forward quite a lot in the last 2 years. He really doesn’t want to get them put on, and didn’t know anything about attachments! I feel like the trays will be very obvious with the gap!
Actually the trays make gaps less obvious. They kinda fill things in. My bottom teeth are very gappy, and look less so with the trays in. But as a warning, for me anyway, as they trays start pushing teeth together to align them and eliminate gaps, you can kiss taking a bite of a sandwich goodbye for a while.