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So my treatment is now over - and more or less just 1 year from when it started!

My final tray was in use for an additional month on top of the usual 2 weeks per tray. Although during that time my dentist checked my progress on 3 occasions. This week I visited for the last of these check ups, not actually knowing that there was more in store for me then I thought.

First of all, a small wire was shaped to fit flush against the back of my top set. Then various fluids ...

Well, it's been quite some time since I posted to this blog. Mainly because it would've been boring to read (finished set 2, started set 3... finished set 10, started set 11... and so on). But now I'm in a position to review my progress.

I'm currently halfway through my 21st set. As I only needed 19 trays for my bottom set, there were no bottom trays in bags numbered 20 upwards, so I'm still using 19 bottom with my 21 top. Thankfully, I've had enough practice keeping trays clean now ...

Last night marked the end of my first 3 weeks of wearing my first set of aligners (1 week without attachments, 2 weeks with). Worryingly a small split appeared up the front of the bottom set a week ago and has gradually got bigger and bigger.

My dentist advised me if they're still usable then hold out, if not move to set 2 early. Luckily they lasted - and fitted as snugly as ever thanks to the attachments.

So last night I followed the advice I've read in several posts ...

I'd had my first set of aligners for a week as of yesterday and was finally pretty used to them.

However, the time had come to get the cement attachments added to my teeth (7 at the top, 6 at the bottom).

It was quite a strange experience having the work done. Had to wear these oversized green shades, the usual plastic bib, and a cheek expander. The process itself was painless.

Some sort of pen was used to draw on which teeth needed attachments, then ...

Well, it's now 2 days since the first set of aligners went on, and it's been an interesting experience so far, and I'm glad to say that I've still not had any major pain as such.

On the first evening, they were a minor annoyance though. I kept sliding the top set on and off my back teeth for relief - kinda like my teeth & gums were itchy.

However, waking up on the first morning with them in was actually fine - in fact I could barely feel them at the front. Still ...

So I got the call mid-week to say my aligners had arrived, and today they were fitted. Spent some time in the chair being shown how to slide them on & off, and then had a practice myself.

They're pretty easy to fit right now, but they're gonna add the cement attachments next weekend - this is so I can get a feel for them first.

Appearance-wise, the aligners have transparent bumps which will hook onto the attachment - so that makes them more visible than if I had ...

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 ...

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 ...

Well here goes, my first blog entry!

Wonky teeth have plagued me for as long as I can recall. Traditional metal braces were always an option, but being pretty self-conscious anyway, and growing up in an environment where I saw others mocked for wearing them, I've always avoided the opportunity of having braces.

However, late last year whilst in the waiting room before a routine check-up, I spotted a leaflet about Invisalign. Finally, a solution to my problem without ...