Invisalign

Parent Cafe
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I know there is an old thread on Invisalign, but I know they sometimes get locked if started again, so I will start new.

Over a month ago I had a crown crack and while in my temporary I notices my bite was hitting a front tooth that has shifted a lot in the last few years. I had braces as a teen and again in my late 30s, but did not wear my retainer like I should have. I had the permanent bar on my bottom teeth that had to be removed many years later due to plaque build up. My teeth, even when straight are very tight. Once I stopped wearing my retainers, my teeth went back to their crooked state.

I have been talking with my dentist for years about Invisalign, but never went for the consult. Mom is having a horrible time with her crooked teeth and not being able to eat certain foods. I didn’t want to end up like her, so made the appointment a few weeks ago and signed on the spot; I was afraid I would chicken out if I didn’t do it right then and there!

Went in Thursday to get them, and while I was told I would have some of the attachments/buttons, I was not prepared with how many; I have 16 total, with 12 on my top teeth. The 1st day it took forever for me to get the darn things out; between the buttons and a few teeth really turned, it was a struggle, but I am getting better.

Because of the home scan feature, I will not be seeing the Orthodontist for 7 months, which just boggles my mind; the technology is fascinating! I can chose to go into the office for checks if I decide, so I will see how it goes. Which we had this when the kids were in braces; it was such a hassle finding a time to pull them from school to get an appointment.

I have yet to have to remove them while not at home, so I am sure that will be an adventure. Any tips, tricks, supplies, etc… that would be helpful to me? I have read a ton before I started, but always interested in personal stories.

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My D says it’s really helpful to use the tool the orthodontist gives you in removing the invisalign. She also doesn’t like to have it out of her mouth other than absolutely needed so it will do the correcting as quickly as possible. She uses a water pik and electric toothbrush to keep her teeth very very clean.

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I just finished Invisalign (took 2 years) and now have to wear my retainers at night. Like you, my teeth shifted after my retainers broke many years ago and I never replaced them.

I changed my aligners on a weekly basis and saw the orthodontist every 10 weeks. 7 months sounds like a long time but every case is different.

My aligners came out easily just by using my nail. I heard stories about people having to use knitting needles (?) etc but I did not have any problems.

I had one attachment and it did the trick.

My teeth are about 98% perfect, but the ortho says it’s 100% (of course lol). To achieve perfection I would have had to remove my bridge, use the aligners, and then put a bridge back in. Invisalign does not move fixed bridges. I did not want to do that.

I am very happy with my results. I find that the retainers are much harder to remove than the aligners, but I can still do it without a tool.

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I had trouble using the tool they gave me for removal, so bought a #1 crochet hook which worked much better. Another tip (still doing this for night retainers) is to swish some water in your mouth to help break suction before removing.

Also I have a small metal nail file. I discovered that there was always some edge that rubbed with each new set, so just smoothed them out myself.

The attachments sometimes rubbed badly on my gums while eating. I stuck some dental wax over those problem teeth while eating then removed before putting the Invisilign back on.

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My sister got them at age 59, and loves her “new” teeth! I had no idea that her crooked smile bothered her so much.

The only advice I have is to buy a brightly colored container for when you go out to eat. You’re more likely to see it in your pocketbook or if you place them on a shelf in the restaurant bathroom…

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Are they using Invisalign for kids now, or is it still the old metal kind??

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I am currently doing Invisalign, just about to finish my 10th set of trays out of 14 (+ any necessary revisions.) I also have a lot of attachments, including some very visible ones in the front which I hate, but it is what it is. I was shown an image of where my attachments would be and what they would look like before I agreed to move forward, so no surprises about that. You will get better at taking them out, but with a lot of attachments it still takes me a bit of finessing to get them off (I just use my nails, found it to be more efficient than a tool.)

A tip I was given was to get an electric denture/jewelry cleaner to help keep the trays clean. The reasoning for making the purchase is that once you get the retainer set of trays, you won’t be changing out your trays and the device really helps from keeping the retainers from getting nasty, so might as well get it at the beginning and use it throughout the process. I bought one and am really glad I did. It is “home” for the trays when I take them out. Keeping them in water and then using the device keeps saliva from drying on them. I use a denture cleaner tab in it usually once a day (cheap to buy at Target.) I have found this to be a good way to keep the trays relatively clear and sparkling over the 14 days of wear (I have not been given a shorter wearing window, probably since my overall time frame is short to begin with.) As I get towards the end of the 14 days, I will drink coffee or ice coffee with them in so I can keep up with my hours but still enjoy my leisurely coffee in the morning or my wake-up beverage in the afternoon. They do get stained from that but the cleaning device really makes a difference.

I bought a bright-colored nylon pouch to hold the tray container, a travel tooth brush, tooth paste, and a dixie cup so I can brush/rinse and re-insert when I am out. This came in very handy when we were on a 2-week vacation in Hawaii and ate out a lot. The pouch is always in my purse and I think it makes me less likely to lose the trays or leave them behind, as mentioned in above post.

I also bought a hand-held water pik which I use after brushing. I am stunned by how much food debris it clears out! Highly recommend for maintaining good hygiene throughout the process.

In the beginning I was super-vigilant about getting my hours in, but I have eased up a bit on that as time goes on. Even with less daily wear, I still feel like my teeth are ready for each new set of trays. I probably average 18-19 hours per day now, but I don’t stress if there are days that I only have them in for 16 hours (which I was told was the minimum benchmark for my 14-day cycles.) At my check-up last week I was told every thing looks to be on schedule. I have had in-person check-ups during trays 6 and 10 and then will have new impressions done for revisions when I get to set 14.

I never had braces in my youth so I have nothing to compare with, but I have not found this process to be as comfortable as many/most claim it to be. I admire those who cheerfully stick with it for two years!! I really don’t like the feeling of the trays in my mouth, or the feeling of all those attachments when they are out. Plus having to adjust my coffee-sipping habit has been a bit of a drag. I sing in a choir and will be glad when I can do so without the trays!! But, definitely well worth it in the end. I would be extremely pleased with the results even if I was finished right now.

Best of luck!

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My kids both did Invisalign and luckily finished before Covid. TBH, neither wore them as many hours as they should, but they both finished treatment as planned. It was a Godsend for my son who is an athlete (wrestling with metal braces just seems brutal) and there were far fewer visits which worked well with our busy schedule. I was worried about them losing them or breaking them, but I think each only had 1 mishap, which is worked into the price as it is expected. My son’s retainer broke after having the same one for a couple of years and they did charge us for a new one which surprised me. I figured they would change them out every couple of years.

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When we traveled to Hawaii, I had to quickly get used to taking them out in front of people in public bathrooms, especially in the crowded airports! I have brushed my teeth in some interesting sinks, too! (trough-style, an outside one at a beach, a very posh women’s room, etc.)

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Just understand that you will have to wear the retainers at night for the rest of your life. And you will have to have them re-made periodically - the retainers are not durable enough to last a lifetime.

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So true! I was told to replace them every 5 years.

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Lasted about a year for my teen

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My D has new trays every 4 days!

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I think I switched out every 10 days. At the end, I got four sets of night retainers that were supposed to last forever, switching every three months indefinitely. Then I had to get a crown on a top tooth and that retainer no longer fit. My dentist ordered me a new one and he says I never need to change it. It’s a bit sturdier than the Invisalign one.

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Timely topic for me. I just had a consult with one orthodontist late last week and have a second (to get multiple opinions and quotes) next Tuesday. Like other my retainer broke a couple decades ago and the lower teeth in particular have lately gotten well out of alignment.

No one here is so far talking about cost. Curious what others are being quoted. The first place I visited quoted $6,800. Expected to last 16-18 months, but the price is fixed however long it takes and whatever happens – so if I end up with other dental worth that changes it, the cost remains the same, etc. We’re a pretty high cost area. First place caters mostly to adults. The one on Tuesday is a place that mostly does kids but some adults.

My insurance will cover up to $1,500 of it (lifetime benefit per person). The rest would be on me. Can be paid all at once or a 5% discount or in installment. Regardless of whether I pay at once or gradually, the insurance amortizes it reimbursements quarterly over the expected treatment time.

I was also told my alternative would be to get a new retainer for a couple hundred (each if I do both upper and lower) that would not correct it but halt any further misalignment.

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a few items:

  • keep your water intake up. Invisalign does dry out your mouth and lips. My chapstick use has increased.
  • keep some sugarless gum handy when eating out away from home and unable to brush properly…it takes food off attachments quickly. ** And sugar on your teeth under the trays really accelerates decay.
  • I’ve used the gel in my trays at night to whiten my teeth. **
  • I make sure to set my trays on a bright/noticeable item…they are easy to overlook on my counters! (yes, I could use the green retainer box provided, but it’s not always where I am)
  • using the chewies when putting in your trays makes a difference in fit.
  • Taking them out at first was awkward, but now it’s quick. Uppers: use finger of right hand to left side of mouth or left finger to right side.
    Lowers: use finger of right hand on right side of mouth or left on left side.
  • Usually the first night or two with a new set of trays can be a bit painful at night…I just
    pop an advil pm.

The new technology is fascinating…scanning at home, uploading results and not having to go in for a few months is great timesaver for me.

** tips from the ortho tech, not the ortho doc :wink:

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As far as retainers, I paid $39 for retainer replacement; don’t remember if it was unlimited, but figured a new one was more than $39, so went ahead with it. Of course, I am 18-24 months away from retainers!

I am guessing due to the tightness of my teeth and many being so crooked/turned, is why I have so many attachments. I am mad at myself for asking when I went for the consultation how many I would have, but I guess it doesn’t matter. This orthodontist did my dentist’s Invisalign, but she had a couple of others she also recommended. I did ask her if I should go to more than one for the consultation, and she said it would all be the same; the price at one might be a couple of hundred dollars different if one was offering a special. Of course, now I wonder if the other would have been the same number of attachments, and the same time frame, but I am where I am for the long haul.

I am getting better get them off either using the hook in a few place or my nails. Luckily I have SNS on my nails, so shouldn’t chip a nail trying to remove them. :wink:

I will do my best to wear them 22 hours a day, but if I were to eat 3 meals a day, that would be tough; I like to linger with my coffee in the morning!

While at my appointment, I did ask about using the Invisalign crystals and/or an ultrasonic cleaner machine. They felt with changing my trays out weekly it wasn’t needed, unless it was something I wanted to do. Once I have my retainers, either would be good as I should be keeping the retainer for a long time. While I had both in my Amazon cart, I took them out for now. I already use an electric tooth brush and thought about a waterpik; may revisit that. I already get my teeth clean every 4 months, which is suggested during treatment. My ortho kit came with extra cases, a nail file, a remover pick and chewies to help set the trays.

@Embracethemess only 14 trays; I have 35 to start; hopefully there won’t be more!

I knew in my area Invisalign is about $6K; and yes, whether you have to wear them for 2 years, or stop after 9 months because you are tired of going on, or feel your teeth are good enough, the price is the price. I don’t plan to stop unless some health issue makes me stop. I did pay all upfront to get the discount, but did think about opening a new credit card with more cash back, but decided my 1% with my Costco card would have to do!

@gosmom I already did a good bit of water due to kidney disease, so I am good there. I have noticed my lips seem to be dryer the last few days; luckily I have aquaphor lip repair already all over the house, my car and purse! Good idea about the gum as I use to be a gum chewer, so usually have sugarless gum in my purse.

One thing I was told is I should still live my life. If I am going to a dinner event like a wedding, leaving my trays out for hours during the event was fine. It isn’t something one should do regularly, but it wouldn’t hurt anything. The ortho said they have kids getting their wisdom teeth out during treatment, and they are told to heal for a week or so and not worry about the Invisalign. That made me feel better, as I really couldn’t imagine keeping them in 22 hours every single day.

Edit to add: My ortho office suggest not using toothpaste to clean the tray, but instead use Dawn dish soap or an antibacterial hand soap. They said some toothpastes scratch the trays, which makes them look cloudy. I have read this a few places online, but it is interesting that Invisalign instructions say to use toothpaste, which is what one would assume they should use. I asked about wouldn’t I need the toothpaste to hopefully remove the plaque, but again, was told with changing out weekly, that would not be a problem. I will see what this first set looks like when I switch to the next set and see if I notice a difference.

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@snowball, agree–live your life. I do not beat myself up if I don’t get 22 hours in. Did not wear at a recent wedding reception, etc.

And I used my Costco Visa as well!

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I still think there needs to be a cash back credit card that give more for medical services! Imaging getting deductibles and medications cash back! Too bad Medicare doesn’t cover Invisalign, but no matter what, I am done with teeth straightening after this; third time better be the charm!

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Following. What do people hear about Spark? Allegedly even more clear aligners. Clear Aligners from Spark | Clear Alignment Treatment

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