Having second thoughts...

[new2invisalign]

I just came back from the dentist today and she talked me into getting Invisalign. After getting home and thinking about it, I am having reservations. I don't even know if it is too late to change my mind now since they took impressions

I'm 36. I had metal braces from age 9-13. My teeth look fairly good, but my dentist recommended them because I have a crossbite (I think that's correct) and some uneven wear on one side, which she said could lead to more crowns on one side (I already have 2 upper left molar crowns) plus gum problems. I know I clench/grind my teeth (have my whole life) and I have TMJ. My jaw is very stiff to open. The dentist gave me the impression the Invisalign would help my TMJ which is why I was gung ho about it.

So I get home and I'm reading people's experiences and remembering my own experiences with those torture devices called metal braces and how sore my teeth were and how I would have headaches. And now as an adult, I have some health issues including fibromyalgia (plus of course the TMJ), migraines, and I am sensitive to pain and I am thinking these trays are going to get on my nerves so fast and I won't be able to do it, plus I am concerned that it could potentially aggravate my TMJ. I absolutely cannot live with sore teeth, headaches, and a worsening jaw for a year. In fact they had to do a periodontal scaling on my teeth today and my gums are a little sore, which isn't too bad, but even that is on my nerves (like I said I'm very sensitive).

Can anyone give me some input? I am ready to call them tomorrow and say sorry nevermind.

Thank you.

[MJ2030]

I would really weigh your options before calling it quits. Remember your orthodontist is a trained professional so take his own opinion over yours (in regards to it potentially aggravating your TMJ). Have you talked to him/her about your concerns? Honestly, it's great to talk to other people who are undergoing treatment as well but your orthodontist will be there every step of the way and knows YOUR situation better than any of us could ever. For me, personally, Invisalign has been anything but painful. The first two weeks took some getting use to, so I would say annoying is a good term to describe the adjustment period. I have had mine for almost 4 months and have very little complaints as far as pain goes. Any soreness goes away after the first day of switching trays for me (although I've noticed it's different for others, and I've never had any jaw pain). Taking them out to eat/drink is the most tedious task of Invisalign, to be quite honest. I would stick it through, if it helps your TMJ along with your dental health, it'll be worth it. I promise!

[new2invisalign]

Thanks for the reply MJ. Good to hear your experience has been pretty much pain-free. I talked to the dentist's office again, she said nobody ever stopped using them due to pain, so that's good. She said they are nothing like metal braces. I just really hope I don't have complications because I'm sure there's no "money-back guarantee". Luckily, my insurance is covering $1500 and I will be paying $2300 interest free over 18 months.

[MJ2030]

Not bad at all! My insurance covered $1500 as well, but my total treatment was $4,800 and I only have 12 months to pay it off, interest free. Another thing to keep in mind is that even though the process may not be painful, it still takes a lot of work to keep up your dental hygiene and commit to wearing them in as much as possible. Keeping a positive attitude helps too.

[lanabyte]

I had a few aches the first few days on one tooth, but that was mostly due to it being pushed back behind the other teeth. Other than that, no pain at all. They are annoying though. Today is my first week in and I'm just now starting to forget I have them in, lol.

[Bekster45]

I too just got mine a few days ago. They are actually fairly comfortable - biggest thing is dryer mouth so water drinking has gone way up, but that's not a bad thing. I don't have TMJ or any of your other issues and things affect everybody different so it's hard to say yes for you. I haven't had any pain - more so just a tightness or pressure and that's only on the couple of teeth that are moving during this tray.

[schmick]

I started my treatment a fortnight ago and just moved to my second tray.

I agree with other posters above, Invisalign has been pain free for me thus far. I do love the sensation of slight pressure on the teeth though (I only just put my second tray in about 3 hours ago!). Did have the usual dry mouth at the start too, but that quickly went also.

After a few days, I didn't really notice they were in my mouth, unless I thought about it and started poking at them with my tongue!

Overall, I'm estatic I'm finally doing something about my teeth and honestly, wish I had started sooner! Many times I had visited the Ortho and they told me that only traditional braces were available but low and behold how times have changed!

I say go for it!

[new2invisalign]

Awesome! Thanks for the positive stories everyone. Will let you know in a few weeks how it goes with my first tray.

[Boira]

Before starting all the invisalign process, my ortho made me wear for a whole week (22h/day, 7 days) a pair of "fake" trays to see how my TMJ problems would react. They were like the real ones, except for the pressure on the teeth.

[GoofyGG]

My teeth haven't been too bad pain wise. New trays do move your teeth and of course this hurts a bit. It's only my latest tray (19) that has caused awful pain. It feels like all my uppers are moving at once. I've been on pain killers for 5 days & im not soft! You can't go into this thinking it will be pain free, you need to be able cope with the changeover which may not be an easy one.

[new2invisalign]

Before starting all the invisalign process, my ortho made me wear for a whole week (22h/day, 7 days) a pair of "fake" trays to see how my TMJ problems would react. They were like the real ones, except for the pressure on the teeth.

How was your jaw?

My teeth haven't been too bad pain wise. New trays do move your teeth and of course this hurts a bit. It's only my latest tray (19) that has caused awful pain. It feels like all my uppers are moving at once. I've been on pain killers for 5 days & im not soft! You can't go into this thinking it will be pain free, you need to be able cope with the changeover which may not be an easy one.

Hmmm, well I'm hoping that since my teeth don't need a whole lot of moving, more "tweaking" that maybe I won't have quite as much pain like that, I hope!

[GoofyGG]

Hope so - mine are quite bad

[Boira]

How was your jaw?

Please note that every patient is different and what applies to one may be different fot another. In my case the trays didn't affect my jaw at all. My TMJ didn't went better ot worse, it stayed exactly as it was before.

I needed an i-CAT scan which was not included in the treatment plan (ughh, that means 300 € I had to pay for the 3D scan), but we didn't want to take any risks. It would have been worse starting my Invisalign adventure only to find out with the 1st tray that I have to give it up.

[new2invisalign]

Please note that every patient is different and what applies to one may be different fot another. In my case the trays didn't affect my jaw at all. My TMJ didn't went better ot worse, it stayed exactly as it was before.

I needed an i-CAT scanner which was not included in the treatment plan (ughh, that means 300 € I had to pay for the 3D scanner), but we didn't want to take any risks. It would have been worse starting my Invisalign adventure only to find out with the 1st tray that I have to give it up.

Hmmm, have no idea what that is, they didn't mention that to me. Maybe because I am dealing with a dentist and not an orthodontist.

[Boira]

If you don't mind my asking, how bad is your TMJ? Mine pops out frequently, or sometimes it gets stuck and I can't fully open my mouth or or chew hard foods for a couple of days.

[Jackie W]

I too wore braces from ages 12 - 16 and I am 45 now. I remember the torture of metal braces and head gears. I just had my invisaligns put on 6 weeks ago. I have felt no pain at all in fact I forget I have them in. No one has even noticed I was wearing them. There is a bit of discomfort for the first couple of days when a new set is in but certainly not pain. My tmj is virtually gone already. And my teeth are noticeably straighter, I would recommend these to any one.

[new2invisalign]

If you don't mind my asking, how bad is your TMJ? Mine pops out frequently, or sometimes it gets stuck and I can't fully open my mouth or or chew hard foods for a couple of days.

My jaw is always tight and stiff to open. Don't normally have sharp pain, once in a while. The problem is that when I open my jaw and I touch both sides, one joint opens before the other, they don't open at the same time (if that makes sense?). I can also see in the mirror the joint pushing out on one side and not the other. I can't chew gum anymore...used to be a major gum chewer, which stinks because I loved gum.

I too wore braces from ages 12 - 16 and I am 45 now. I remember the torture of metal braces and head gears. I just had my invisaligns put on 6 weeks ago. I have felt no pain at all in fact I forget I have them in. No one has even noticed I was wearing them. There is a bit of discomfort for the first couple of days when a new set is in but certainly not pain. My tmj is virtually gone already. And my teeth are noticeably straighter, I would recommend these to any one.

That's awesome Jackie