My experience

[marajade]

Hi Folks! I just read about this forum in my local newspaper today in a story about Invisaligns. I have read multiple threads and I thought rather than posting 5 times I would put eveything into 1 post.

I am on aligner 15 of 16 before I move into refinement - not sure what that will mean for me yet.

I am wearing braces to re-align my teeth to better support my bite and jaw. I have struggled with TMJ since I was in my early teens, I am now over 40. I am seeing an orthodontist who specializes in TMJ and this is an option he and I talked about for a couple of years before I took the plunge. I saw another orthodontist for a second opinion before I decided.

Someone was asking about cost. I don't feel comfortable talking exact figures, but I have been well within the highest end of most posts I have seen out here. One tip - check with your tax advisor, mine says I can deduct this expense.

Here are my other tips:
Put your new aligners in at night before bed. In the morning a lot of the pressure should be relieved.

Buy some fluoride rinse. Use it every night. Take out your braces, brush, floss, rinse with fluoride, and then put them back in for the night.

Buy pre-pasted toothbrushes. I found some online for about 30 cents a piece. They come sealed in plastic, you can brush just about anywhere and then toss them. No wet tooth brush in your purse or bag.

Brush after every meal or sweet drink. I never drink pop with my braces in. I do drink alcohol, tea, and coffee (but I don't take sugar in coffee or tea). If I drink anything sweet, I do brush afterwards. I do plan to ask my orthodontist about whitening at my next visit.

I am excited to talk to others about your experiences. I think I am a little unique out here. Because of my TMJ I have had plastic in my mouth for years so it wasn't a big adjustment for me, but I am hoping that when I am done I will be down to just a retainer at night. I can live with that

[Stephanie]

great tips and welcome to the forum

[coolestSamantha]

Welcome to the forum!
Awesome tips, I don't wear invisligine just normal damon brackets. But I'll definitly share those tips with anyone that has or considering invisline.

[mariahfromchicago]

Welcome Marajade!! Those are great tips, I will share them with people considering invisalign!

[Punkin]

great tips! I like the pre-pasted toothbrush idea, I'm going to have to look into that.

I typically only drink water and occassionally alcohol with my aligners in - never anything hot though. You haven't had any issues with the aligners "changing" as the hot liquid meets the plastic? I'd be concerned about that.

congrats on being "almost done!!" Can't wait until I'm there. I'm on 15 out of 38 (top and bottom) and very pleased with the results so far!

[marajade]

Brenda,

I was really paranoid and really careful at first and drank really cold coffee and tea (yuck). As I got more comfortable I realized that I didn't have to be quite so cautious, but I don't drink boiling hot liquids. But to answer your question, no I haven't had any trouble from hot beverages.

[Punkin]

Brenda,

I was really paranoid and really careful at first and drank really cold coffee and tea (yuck). As I got more comfortable I realized that I didn't have to be quite so cautious, but I don't drink boiling hot liquids. But to answer your question, no I haven't had any trouble from hot beverages.

Thanks! I still take mine out when I drink, even my iced coffee on a hot summer day, but I don't take them out when I drink beer. ~shrug~