So, I had my impressions done today!

[Stefanie]

That wasn't bad at all! My dentist even took three impressions on my bottom teeth just to be certain they were precise enough.

I'm very excited, yet anxious to start!

Invisalign a decision I've been contemplating for years & I always swore that when I graduated from college & afford it on my own, I would do it. As a traditional braces alum, I've promised myself that I'm going to get it right this time around! So, yay!

With that being said, I have three quick questions:

• My dentist informed me that my aligners should be in in about 4 weeks. Is that fairly accurate?

• I will also wear my first set of aligners with a whitening treatment. Have any of you had whitening incorporated into your first set of trays?

• Lastly, my treatment was estimated to last 13 months--how much did your dentists/ortho's length of treatment estimate vary to the actual length of treatment [according to Invisalign]?

This forum has been VERY helpful thus far. I look forward to reading everyone's posts & updating on my progress.

[Punkin]

I think mine were ready in 4-6 weeks.

I didn't have whitening, but I know there is a thread around here with people who did.

As far as the length of treatment; that is going to depend on how your teeth move. The length of time is most likely based on two weeks per tray. Depending on what needs to be done, and how your teeth move, you may need to leave some in longer.

Good luck!!

[Janesays]

Good luck with your treament. 13 months is pretty quick for modern orthodontics.

[nan]

I used whitening gel in mine also. My advice, put in very little! It may not seem like you're using enough, but it doesn't take much. At first I put too much in and it burned my gums. Also, you may want to wait until you've had them on a few days before using the gel. The aligners can be a bit tough to remove the first couple of days and the gel will make it even harder.

My ortho orignally told me about 12 months, but it will probably be closer to 7 months. I'm on 9/11 for my upper and 9/12 for my lower and he just started me wearing them for 3 weeks instead of 2.

I believe it took about 4 weeks for mine, also.

Good luck!

[Zoso]

Originally Posted by nan

I used whitening gel in mine also. My advice, put in very little! It may not seem like you're using enough, but it doesn't take much. At first I put too much in and it burned my gums.

Totally agree. The merest smear does suffice. You definitely don't want to have it squelch up and onto your gums!

[cmhndrsn]

I just started my treatment on Tues of this weekend, and mine took somewhere around 6 weeks to get in. Mine took a little while longer than normal, my ortho said. He was not pleased with the initial movement plan they had, and made some changes. I trust him though because he know what I am looking to get out of this.

My ortho told me that I would probably have them in for 12-15 months. I am getting married in December 09 so hopefully (fingers crossed) I will have them off by that time. I am not going for the perfect smile. I just want to be able to smile period and not worry about what my teeth look like in the photos.

[Zoso]

Even if you're not finished by then, your smile should still look great.

[Weeeyin]

I've just has my impressions done, have been told 8 weeks for the clincheck video thingy , then another 8 weeks for the aligners to arrive. Is this normal for the UK?