End of first set of trays

[gdriftr]

Ok so it's decision time..
I've finished my first set of trays (20).
My protuding teeth are now at a much better angle, and I think my profile has improved.

These are the before pictures:

[gdriftr]

The orthodontist has all along suggested doing a litle bit of reshaping the top front teeth at the end of process to balance them out. I'll also get them whitened. But now I have to decide whether I want to go through refinements. I can see there is room for improvement, but I'm not sure how much more Invisalign I can handle..!

Here are the current pictures:

[myhollywoodsmile]

I say if your ortho suggests it go for refinements. I think that after all this time and expense you want to be perfectly happy. If your ortho and you both think they are ok I would leave it there, but if there are any even small issues I would get them fixed up as it doesn't seem worth not getting them for the sake of a few more weeks.

[havingitdoneintheuk]

Wow that is a massive change, you must be delighted! I agree with myhollywood.

Maybe ask yourself will you regret it in 6 months if you don't have refinements? If not then you are fine to finish now! Otherwise, keep going, the majority of people on here have not had too many trays in refinements so it seems to go quicker

[Sunny]

Looking great GD!

[gdriftr]

Thanks very much for the comments. Part of me feels I'll regret it if i don't go all the way yes. part of me has had enough... I had my mind fixed on getting it all done in the first round, but now I see it could still be better...!
Myhollywood, when you say, see what the ortho thinks, are you talking about aesthetic issues or other kinds of things? I guess when it comes to aesthetics, it's up to me..

[newtoinvisalign123]

The refinement is free, so why not go through with it. You've already done it for a year or so, so a few months should be easy to handle

[350GT]

I would go through refinements. You've paid the money, why give yourself a potential regret? It should be just a habit and daily part of your life....a few more months shouldn't even blip on the radar.

[gdriftr]

Hi. Thanks all for your comments. I think you're probably right that refinements will be worth it in the long run. I'll see the ortho tomorrow and see what she says.

[fangtastic]

I agree with the others here. I finished my trays last week too and at my appointment yesterday my ortho said i was ready for retainers if I wanted, but that I could also get refinements & it was up to me. I'm going for the refinements cos I figure a few more months in the grand scheme of things is nothing. My teeth are almost there but after the fortune I've spent on this and all the time I've put in then I want them pretty damn perfect!

[myhollywoodsmile]

I meant aesthetics and bite really. When I went for my refinements there were things I had picked up on, but my ortho also saw a couple more things that weren't right. I hadn't noticed them, but once he pointed them out I wanted them fixed. Your teeth look great though but if you can see things that could be improved why not do it... You don't want to be in a position in a couple of years where you wish that you had done something else.
I started off desperate to get this done as quickly as possible. Now my real concern is getting it right, however long that takes.

[gap]

gdriftr - excellent progress with your treatment! Your teeth look great.

I have a question regarding refinements. Invisalign includes 3 refinements depending on the package you receive. Does that mean it includes 3 sets of trays. Or 3 stages of trays that could be any number of new sets?

Good luck with your refinements!

[Punkin]

three stages - but you still have to check your individual contract to make sure that your ortho provides those refinements, and the number of refinements.

I have 14 uppers and 6 lowers for my first set of refinements.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

I have a question regarding refinements. Invisalign includes 3 refinements depending on the package you receive. Does that mean it includes 3 sets of trays. Or 3 stages of trays that could be any number of new sets?

After the original set of trays, a new impression can be taken for as many trays as required to perfect the occlusion and alignment. I think lemontree recently let us know that she has more refinement trays than in her original set up.

A new impression can be sent in 3 times after all the trays have been completed, and once during the middle of the original set of trays if required.

Hope that helps .

[gap]

Hi Dr. Tam,

Okay, that makes sense. I was under the impression (oh, nice pun) that if someone required say 20 new sets for refinement, they would get 3 for free and pay for the remaining 17. I suppose if that were the case there wouldn't be a whole lot of incentive to carry on.

Thanks for the info!

[lemon tree]

how did the visit to the ortho go?

I just received my refinements recently. Like Dr. T mentioned I actually have more refinement trays than my original set. It's kind of disappointing but I think I would have been more disappointed to have spent all that money and not be perfectly happy with my teeth. in the end though, it's your call and really dependent on how you feel about your teeth.

do keep us updated - all the best!

[gdriftr]

Well I went to the ortho and discussed what i might want to have improved in refinements. Then i had the teeth cleaned and have been taking the weekend to decide whether to go for refinements or just tidy up the front teeth.

I'm still unsure. After I got the teeth cleaned I was amazed how much better they looked, and for a while i thought that would be enough. But after a few days the improvements are becoming normal again and i'm seeing the imperfections. So now I'm veering more towards the refinements. If I do it I'm going to ask the ortho if she can limit it to 6 or so, so I don't end up going on forever (I'd like to be finished by spring).

Anyway right now, i am really enjoying having whiter teeth without attachments, and not wearing the aligners all the time..!

Here's a picture, post cleaning..

[mommamorin]

Eeks, you are just finished with your initial trays and you are not wearing your aligners all the time? Please check with your ortho, it is my understanding that after you are finished you are to wear them full time for a period and then at night. You wouldn't want your teeth to shift if this is the case.

[gdriftr]

I am indeed following their instructions. Thanks very much anyway.

[gdriftr]

Hi all,

The conclusion of the story is that I decided to continue with refinements.
Thanks a lot for the advice.

[havingitdoneintheuk]

Good luck with the refinement process, it will be over before you know it!

[myhollywoodsmile]

Yes, good luck. I'm also on refinements on my uppers and as usual it is flying by. It is also working (I think), so hopefully worth it.