My first day with Tray 1

[KelahRammy]

Okay, so I'm pretty much like everyone else. I hate smiling in pictures and I am really conscious about it. I couldn't wait to get invisalign, and I JUST did!

I picked up my invisalign trays 1-6 yesterday.

Here are my stats:
30 Lower
31 Upper
overbite and crooked teeth
8 Attachments which start on tray 2

So I put them on for the first time at my ortho's office. They felt really tight, and I decided to take them off to begin treatment that night. I had a major headache throughout the day, but once I got home, my headache was gone.

I put on tray 1 at exactly 8:00 Pacific Time, August 19, 2009. (Just wanted to be specific lol)

When I woke up around 7:00 AM, I felt as if the aligners were better in place (they were still very tight). So I went about my day thinking about my teeth and trays because of all the aggravation I had. My teeth were really sore, and I could barely bite down on food. I ate lunch and immediately brushed my teeth/flossed before putting them back on.

I go to college full time during the summer and all of next year, so I know that this process can be extremely exhausting. BUT I am determined to get nice teeth, which includes having trays on everyday for 22 hours a day. Also, I spent a little over $5000 for the treatment so I really want my teeth to be straight.

It's August 20th, 2009 at 9:10 PM pacific time right now and the tightness and discomfort I felt throughout the day has subsided immensely. I know that come next week, these trays will be a lot easier to take off, and that these trays will be second nature in terms of sensitivity and soreness. However, I'm worried. Will I have to feel this pain for this long every time I switch trays?

I'm worried that my next tray will be just as gruesome if not worse. I am scheduled for 8 attachments on my lower and top and I don't know what to expect. I study full time and I need to be able to concentrate without being bothered by so much pain. I am going to try to switch trays every two weeks and NOT on an important day like a test day. I'm premed so the classes that I'm taking are not easy. I'm afraid that the pain I feel the first couple of days with invisalign will ruin me academically.

What do you guys recommend?

I didn't feel like talking to anyone. I was barely able to concentrate with all of that pain. I think a lot, and so far today, I didn't think about anything.

I'm curious to know how attachments work. Are attachments on my teeth for as long as I have invisalign? Are they easy to put on? Are they removable? What are they used for? Are they noticeable (most of mine are in the back of my upper teeth and front of lower teeth)? I would really appreciate it if anyone could give me some info on this.

Also, what is IPR? The nurse told me that they were going to do this to open up room for the attachments to come in correctly.

I'm also afraid that I don't know what I got myself into. The pain and lack of knowledge I have at the moment with invisalign have given me second thoughts. Maybe I was destined to have bad looking teeth forever. But I really hope I'm wrong.

[Lucy1986]

Hi Congratulations on starting your treatment! I'm a medical student in the UK, and having invisalign treatment so know how you feel!

I haven't got any attachments on my teeth, so I don't know personally, but it seems that most people get used to taking trays on/off very easily after a short while. They are glued onto your teeth, so not removeable. Think they're used to help the aligners move the teeth more effectively, especially when the movements are difficult for the trays alone.

IPR is where they 'shave' excess enamel between teeth. It creates space to allow teeth to align correctly. It shouldn't be painful, and its quite quick.

Academically I haven't had problems, but I don't think i'll be changing trays around finals time! I've found simple painkillers help alot, and once i'm in the hospital or lectures I forget about them, even if i've just changed to a new one. Hopefully your next trays will be better, and i'm sure once you've gone through a few more you'll feel really comfortable with them.

Keep persevering with them, it will get better, and everyone here is really friendly and helpful, so you can always get more information. Perhaps you could call the orthos office to ask them your questions as well? Good luck!!

[KelahRammy]

Thank you so much for the support, it means a lot to me.

I really don't know how I to describe my feelings toward invisalign. The best way to put it: Imagine you have someones hand on your arm, and it's putting weight on your arm and excess heat. Thats exactly how I feel on my gums and teeth. It's something I can feel all day but have no control of. I hope this feeling will leave with time and getting used to.

[radaly]

KelahRammy, I know the trays can be quite painful in the beginning. I am currently waiting on my refinement trays after 8 upper and 16 lower (1 attachment on the upper, and 3 on the lower). I had never had braces before and found my teeth to be extremely sore and sensitive for at least three sets of trays. After that, they kind of got used to the whole "moving" thing, and it wasn't nearly as bad. Back in the beginning, eating an apple was out of the question!

I had my attachments added after a week in my first trays. The attachments made them much tighter and it was much more difficult to remove them. But within a couple weeks, it was a breeze to remove them again. Don't worry, it becomes second nature. My attachments were not noticable at all. I had to point them out before people could "see them".

I had quite a lot of IPR done on my lower teeth, as several of them were twisted around. I wouldn't say it's not painful exactly. It's not comfortable in the least, but it doesn't cause lasting pain.

Overall, I have had an excellent experience with Invisalign, and highly recommend it. I had no idea what I was getting into at the beginning but it has been worth it. My teeth are almost perfect now. I have pictures available at Picasa Web Albums - Robyn - Invisalign

Please feel free to ask more questions, I'm more than happy to share my experience.

[Rosieee]

Hey KelahRammy,

Great post - where are you from?

Don't worry...it all gets better. If you are like me you will get tot he point where you prefer having your trays in because you will be so used to them!

I suggest that next time you change into trays you do it directly after dinner one night and keep them in until you wake up and have breakfast the next morning. Perhaps you could change on a friday night so you have the weekend at home to get used to them.

For me my trays are tight for 2 days MAX...and then they feel like olds friends lol.

Things do get slightly harder when you gett he attachments but you get used to them soon enough...I think the best thing is just to relax, take each day as it comes and look forward to having the beautiful smile you always dreamed of!!

Goodluck

[KelahRammy]

Thanks Rosie for the great advice. I'm from Los Angeles, CA.

It's day 4 and thus far, the strain that tray 1 caused on my teeth the first two days has drastically diminished. I feel like my teeth have moved! I have this nostalgic feeling about my teeth because I know they will never look the same. Do you remember that scene in Castaway, starring Tom Hanks, when Tom Hank's character finally managed to get off the island and then looked back? I think the director was trying to depict a moment of compassion for what the character lived through for such a long time, even though Tom Hank's character suffered and dreaded the experience so much. I kind of have the same feeling with my smile lol.

The absolute worst thing about this treatment is the fact that I have to brush my teeth after every meal. I love brushing my teeth, but not after lunch. I'm always on the go and now I feel like I am being slowed down because of this treatment. Imagine the following scenarios and what I think before I go through them:

Case #1: I'm at Costco and I want to try a delicious sample (or a couple because that's my style)

What I'm thinking: NO SIR! What are you going to about brushing your teeth? It's not like you have a toothbrush in your pocket all day.

Case #2: I'm with friends grabbing lunch at some Mexican restaurant.

What I'm thinking: Okay so where will I take off my trays so that nobody see's them? (probably in the bathroom) When will I have enough time to floss and brush my teeth without having my friends wait on me? (don't forget that I'm trying to keep invisalign down-low from almost everyone, so you have to hide it somehow)

Case #3: I'm at the library, and I want a quick snack, preferably some chocolate.

What I'm thinking: Oh great, now I have to spend 10 minutes getting up and brushing my teeth at some gross bathroom.


What do you guys do in similar situations?

How do you guys carry your dental stuff everywhere you go?

[ysses]

I bought those one time use toothbrushes Colgate wisps. I always have a pack in my pocket. Also some gum. If I want to eat go to the bathroom, take them out. Eat. Chew gum for a while, brush teeth in bathroom, put trays in. Floss when I get home.

For small things, like a sample, or a snack like chocolate I just pass unless I am in my house, its not worth the hassle.

[myhollywoodsmile]

Hi there,
I have given up on those samples, I can't figure an easy way around that particular problem. If I'm out with friends I run to the toilet, or even just tuck myself away in a corner and whip the trays out. Then once I have finished eating I do a quick bathroom stop. I probably wouldn't floss in that situation, just a quick brush. If I was really pushed I would swish my mouth with water and find a bathroom as soon as I could.
I try and remember to take my dental stuff, but often don't. I was better at first I think, and am slacking a bit now. I just ate lunch a moment ago at my computer and made a quick dash to the bathroom where I brushed and did a very half hearted floss. Doesn't always happen though, sometimes I just don't have time to floss every time I eat, although I do try.
I don't really mind giving up samples and similar, in fact I find it quite a good reason to give without causing offence when I don't want something I am being offered!

Good Luck, it does get easier, honestly.

[Punkin]

It does get better. There will come a point when you will only feel the pressure/soreness of those first trays for just a few hours. Putting them in at night before bed is a great idea, and something I started doing after the first set, and have continued to do so for 38 sets.

Taking them out will become second nature; I can take mine out now, and my husband doesn't even see me.

I keep a small bag with a travel sized toothbrush/toothpaste and floss in my purse. I also have a set at work in my desk drawer. I don't always brush after I eat, because there are times when it's just not possible. In those instances, I'll leave them out for a little longer, allow the saliva to do its job of dissolving food stuff in my teeth, and drink water to keep flushing the teeth; then I'll put the aligners in. Again, with time, you'll be able to slip them in in just seconds. BUT, you should brush if you are able - if there is running water and a sanitary spot to brush, do it. Don't worry about what people think when you are doing it.

Also, Motrin is a great help when it comes to the pain of the first few days. It really helps alleviate the soreness and helps you get on with your day.

Good luck, before you know it, you'll forget all about having these concerns

[Adam]

Hey, another newbie! The pain varies between trays, it's all dependant on what the trays are specifically changing in that period. Some trays you will feel like nothing is happening, with others it feels like your whole mouth is moving.

As for eating out, if you're unable to clean/floss then just swish water around and pop the trays back in (cleaned out of course). A couple of hours till you get home shouldn't do any real damage.

Keep with them, it's worth it in the end

[kal4col]

hi,
I am on tray 3, and had attachments put on with this one, and its fine.
i wasnt looking forward to it as i expected it to be really tight like tray 1, but the only tightness is when i remove them.
tray 1 was really uncomfortable for 5/6 days but since then i really havent felt a thing, and scarily i havent seen any movement either!!!! although my orhto says its early days, (5wks now)
good luck.

[Punkin]

You won't notice the movement right away. Try comparing aligners (I kept my first set for comparison); that's where you'll notice the movement. It's so minimal you won't notice it day to day until one day you say, holy crap look how much my teeth have moved. LOL

I noticed it when the gaps where my teeth were extracted closed up. I was shocked.

[katiekatie23]

i have had mine for nearly 3 weeks and not noticed much .......UNTILL this morning woooooooooooo my right front tooth had just all of a sudden turned the right way woooooooooooo not much but you can definatley tell!!!!!! wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo im so excited!!!!!!

[Rosieee]

Haaaaahahaa you are funny.

In those scenarios I usually do the following:

1) Subtly bend down and pretend I'm looking at something and whip them out.

2) Use a friend as a kind of shield for taking them out.

3) or keep them in (not often do I choose this one)

I usually carry around a toothbrush with me in my handbag but if I can't find a good place to brush my teeth I just leave them out until I get home...quite often a decent chunk of the day (don't tell me off anyone!).

If you are anything like me you will find that you'll eventually get so used to brushing your teeth after every meal that it will feel yuck not brushing them!

Keep us posted

[myhollywoodsmile]

I agree Rosiee, it seems gross to me now that people would eat and then not brush over and over again through the day. My teeth are used to that fresh feeling.
Also, I almost never used to floss, but these days I floss at least twice a day.Let's just hope I keep it up when this is over!

[KelahRammy]

Hey guys, it's been over a year since I first posted here.

I am currently on tray 30 of 30 for upper, 30 of 31 for lower.

Let me know what you guys think!

I'm going to my orthodontist in two weeks to either get refinements or retainers. How does the refinement process work? I know they must get my impressions again but can I take off my attachments once and for all?

How long does it take for the refinements to come in?

Thanks for everything guys. I'm really happy I found this place when I first started this adventure.

[KelahRammy]

By the way, sorry for the upside down pictures. Please tell me what you truely think, because that's what I will tell my orthodontist. I remember there used to be an actual orthodontist on here, if you are still here, please take a look and reply! I really appreciate it.

[telleki]

Looking good! - Do you have a before photo you could post as well? Good luck with refinements!

[Claudia~]

Congratulations!! I can't wait to be on my last tray!!

On the second picture, can you bite down all the way? or are the back molars not touching because you're wearing the trays?

[Rosieee]

Beautiful teeth!!!

[KelahRammy]

Thanks a lot Rosie! I think that's the first time I have ever heard that complement!

Claudia, I can bite down a little more without my tray in but I don't think all the way.

I know the ortho said he was going to smooth out the bottoms. I wonder how many refinement trays I'll have to wear.

My apologies for the upside down pictures!