Predicting the future (Includes Clin Check Images)

So my dentist called to say my clin check was in. I was amazed how fast the turnaround was - just a little over a week had past since the impressions were taken. They'd then been sent overseas, analysed, the clin check produced and emailed back. I was still only 50/50 as to whether to proceed, so this was gonna be a decisive day.

On arrival, the receptionist invited me into the back room (no, it's not one of *those* stories) to sit at the computer and see the animation of my teeth moving from where they are now to where they will be.

I immediately recognised my crooked smile on screen. Being full-screen, it looked even worse than I'm used to in the mirror. But then she clicked "play". Oh... my... god...

My teeth will look like that? Sign me up now! We watched it again, and again, and again, from all different angles. Joy!

They even predict an improved bite with the vertical gap closed by what looks like 50%. This would be natural closure rather than pulling any teeth downwards, as my top incisors come in at an angle, so once straight, they'll be lower. Plus there will only be 22 sets of aligners, so treatment won't take that long.

It looked simply amazing. The dental nurse join us and they were both cooing over how good it was. The dentist then joined us and explained there's a slight possibility that one of my top canines may not finish up as perfectly as the animation shows due to it needing nearly a 90° rotation, although he added that the prediction tends to be accurate for 90% of teeth. I can live with those odds, and the canine is hardly noticeable anyway.

I asked if there was any way I could download the animation as a .gif file or something, but they said no as it requires the Invisalign software. I wasn't too bothered, but they offered me as a consolation some before & after print outs. How cool! Allow me to share my excitement...

First up, my bottom set needs the least work. But still, you can see that a few need twisting a little to get them perfect. So, here's the bottom set as they are now, and how they will look after treatment...


As you can see, I'll have 6 attachments on the bottom set. Rest assured I do have more than half a back molar, I just don't think there was enough putty in my mouth to fully show that one.

Now, the top set needs a fair bit of work as a narrow arch has caused the overlapping. Here's the top set as of right now, and how it'll look post-treatment with a broadened arch...


As you've seen above, the top set will require 7 attachments. Even though that includes my front 4 teeth, I feel it's worth it. My dentist assures me they'll be made of tooth-coloured cement anyway, so I'm not particularly bothered.

So finally... the big reveal - the front shot! This pair of pictures is what really gave me the "wow" factor. How rubbish my teeth are right now, compared to how great they will be after the treatment. Here we go...


Typed words cannot express my excitement over these graphics. Trust me when I say that the clin check alone has boosted my confidence more than even the best photo taken of me smiling over the past decade. I simply can't wait for my first set of aligners to arrive and to start on this road to an amazing smile.

In real-time, my blog is now pretty much upto date with reality. The entire process started for me around December last year, and my clin check was literally 1 week ago. I've now signed my consent form, and paid my deposit of £1,500 (the remaining £2,500 is to be paid in installments over the coming year). With any luck, I should have my first set within the week.

I hope the clin check pictures I've posted here today will come in handy for people consdiering Invisalign. I know that when I was thinking about treatment, there were few examples available to look at online. Anyway, it's time to bring it on!

So happy, and so excited