x2k

So it was time for appointment #3 - taking records.

This was the one that would cost me a fair chunk of money, but but be the last I'd have to spend before being able to back out.

The appointment took quite a long time - nearly an hour I'd say - but had lots of elements to it.

First of all, the took some impressions of my teeth. They selected a set of plastic trays that fitted my mouth best, before filling each in turn with some sort of plaster, and pressing it into my mouth. Each plate was only in for a couple of minutes. It wasn't particularly a nice experience, but was a necessary evil.

After that, they took some photos of my face with mouth open & closed, of my teeth clenched, and also inside my mouth whilst pulling my cheeks apart with these plastic holders (not as uncomfortable as it sounds).

Next was a standing xray. Although the machine which was supposed to move up & down my head wouldnt start. They gave up eventually and made do with my most recent xrays instead.

Finally, they wanted to take more impressions, this time for Invisalign. Apparently the first impressions were for their own reference.

This time, the mouth plate was a bit bigger, and they filled it with a teal coloured putty - and lots of it. They did my bottom set first, and it was way more of a mouthful than the first set - and it seemed to stay in longer. Toward the end I started coughing/choking a little, but it was done and they removed it.

The top set was a different matter. Again filled with a large amount of putty, it was pressed in and I immediately felt it at the back of my palette. Within seconds I was coughing. The tried to get me to slow my breathing and to breath through my nose. It bought me another 30 seconds... but then there was the reaching... which eventually led to me throwing up Thankfully I was holding a tissue up to my mouth, plus the plastic bib saved my clothes and the chair.

It was horrible though - and one of the most embarrassing moments ever. Thankfully only 2 people had to see it. However, through sheer professionalism, the plate was held in place while I sat there mortified & moist (it was done, so they might as well have finished the job). And they were so nice to me too. The nurse said it happens to quite a few people, and that I should practice breathing with a spoon in my mouth.

Nice thought, but I don't intend to have to do this too often.

Anyway, the news was broken to me that the Invisalign plates had to go back in for precision impressions to be made inside the existing mould. Nooooo! But it was ok this time, and my dentist kept me distracted with jokes.

And then it was all finished - phew!

It was such a shock to have reacted in that way - I was expecting it to be such a normal visit too. Oh well, it'll all definitely be worth it in the end

So this lengthy appointment came to £300. This is my dentist's portion of the £4300 grand total and will cover the cost of all visits during the course the treatment. So that's £400 spent in total now. The final appointment is the "Clin Check" where I get to see Invisalign's projection of how my teeth will move - and it's once I see the predicted results that I choose whether or not to commit to the treatment and the remaining £4000 price tag.

Next update... Predicting the future