is there anything you like about the invisalign process?

[magdalene]

It's only my first week but I'm pretty discouraged by the thought of 12-18 months of this. I have eleven buttons, 19 trays for upper and lower jaw, two weeks each (so I'm guessing my orthodontist's 12-18 month estimate includes refinements). But I want to be as positive about it all as possible. This is all I can come up with so far:

- My oral hygiene is far better than its ever been before
- I like the feeling of changing something about myself that has bothered me most of my life (I'm 35)
- Even though I hope I've never been an especially judgemental person, I feel a new empathy/compassion for other people who have reasons to feel self-conscious (which is how I feel about my trays/buttons).

What about you? Is there anything you actually like about the process of invisalign?

[magdalene]

Oh, also I've always wanted fuller lips and invisalign does make them look fuller

[Noaa]

I like your added bonus! lol
I would have to agree with your point regarding oral hygiene. Although my first cavity was at 24, I do find that I'm much more aware of my mouth then before!
And definitely the change - this process could be worse so I'm thankful for the fact that it's been considerably smooth thus far. Getting to change something thats bothering me is first on the list!

[MsPhil33]

- My oral hygiene is far better than its ever been before
- I like the feeling of changing something about myself that has bothered me most of my life (I'm 35)
- Even though I hope I've never been an especially judgemental person, I feel a new empathy/compassion for other people who have reasons to feel self-conscious (which is how I feel about my trays/buttons).

I have to agree...oral hygiene has improved greatly! I am turning 34 in a few months and getting married next year and I am excited about the changes. Although the process seems like forever (I am on tray 3 of 35U/32L), I am very optimistic about the outcome.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

I didn't need to worry about wearing down my teeth by grinding at night.

[Avantika]

I don't like anything about Invisalign. If something is going to hurt for a year and be so uncomfortable and completely lower my quality of life, not to mention the COST...then the brochure oughta say so. Then I could have made an informed decision.

[magdalene]

Avantika. I completely hear you - like I said, I'm feeling pretty discouraged too. But I was hoping to start a thread about things to find positive in the experience.

I'm going to add...I have never drunk so much water in my life, which is supposed to be good for you,

[diana]

Well for me:

Better oral hygiene
Eating much healthier food that keeps me full longer
Saving money since i don't spend it on alcohol anymore when I go out...and since i don't drink i don't have to pay for a cab
The fact that my teeth will look much nicer ( I've always envied people with perfect teeth)

...I actually like the process lol. it's become like second nature to me. The only thing I don't enjoy is when i go out for dinner and can't sit there and enjoy a nice long meal.

[Lovelydaze]

I can't really say there is much (if anything) I like about the process. I'm dying to have my life back. However, I will say that I have discovered who some of my best friends are, like my one friend that will brush her teeth with me at work because she knows I feel uncomfortable about it. Also, I have not needed this kind of support from my friends in a long time. Some will listen to my every complaint, days on end, even if it's the same complaint over and over again.

[magdalene]

That's so sweet Lovelydaze, that someone brushes their teeth with you

[Noaa]

I love that story! It's so sweet!
Plus I have to agree with Dr. Tam; not worrying about grinding my teeth is a relief right now

[GoofyGG]

I like everything about them . It was the perfect choice for me. I'm naughty though, e.g. Last night I went to see a band and had them out for 4 hours. I'm not letting them rule my life!

[MsPhil33]

I'm going to add...I have never drunk so much water in my life, which is supposed to be good for you,

Haha, as soon as I commented on this previously, that popped into my head that I am drinking a WHOLE lot more water nowadays and that is definitely a plus!! This was a good post to help us all try to find the good in this. I admit that even with research, it was not until I actually started the treatment that I realize how difficult it could be. However, focusing on end results and support from this group make it much easier!!

[invisimunki]

Personally, I like invisalign smiles. Teeth look nice and shiny and bubbly. lol

- Teeth seem to be getting whiter
- Avoiding junk food is much easier :P
- No more morning breath! (I thought I had brushed thoroughly before invisalign but apparently not!)

[MJ2030]

I also really like the feeling of having cleaner teeth. I don't necessarily stop snacking (those dang aligners aren't going to keep me from sweets! hah) so that part is irrelevant to me! Just knowing my teeth are getting straighter each day is more than enough to keep me happy. :-) I feel like one of the lucky few who don't have any problems at all with my aligners though.. I am sore for a day or two after switching trays and that's about it. No dry mouth, no sores, no discomfort, no awkward stares (thankfully). I am about 5 months in too, so I hope I keep cruising through my treatment.

[anitac]

I'm on tray 11 of 13 uppers and I finished the lowers at tray 7. The things I like about invisalign are:

1. The changes in my teeth as I move from tray to tray. The gap in my upper front teeth has closed and my overbite has significantly been reduced.
2. Much improved oral hygiene.
3. Greater confidence because of my improved smile and weight loss.
4. Weight loss! I've lost about 20 lbs. mostly through improving my eating habits and portion control. The invisalign was a nice supplement to my weight loss by helping me stop snacking completely at work.
5. My treatment time is only 6 months.

Overall, I'm very happy with my decision to get invisalign. I'm seeing great results and look forward to the having a perfect smile I've always wanted.

[Crush]

Just knowing my teeth are getting straighter each day is more than enough to keep me happy. :-)

This and pretty much everything mentioned in Magdalene's first post.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

I'll add one other thing... I noticed that my teeth looked straighter with the aligners on than without them. It probably has to do with the contours of the aligners around the teeth. I know that a lot of our patients who have started with spacing find that the spaces look smaller with them on also. More positivity .

[ports]

Besides not having crooked teeth anymore.. As an adult, I think it shows confidence and a willingness to improve yourself.

[magdalene]

I love reading the answers here!

I have another to add - I've cut way down on my caffeine. I'm used to drinking tea/coffee pretty much all day and I'm down now to just one or two cups.

[MJ2030]

This and pretty much everything mentioned in Magdalene's first post.

Yay for the positive attitude! :-)

[magdalene]

Tonight I've put in my second set and I can feel heaps of pressure - not pain, but they're VERY tight. I realise I may not always feel this way about tight new trays since I've read all the awful stories about pain and bleeding etc, but for now I'm completely in love with the feeling of my teeth moving!! Awesome .

[magdalene]

One more thing I have found to like - I really look forward to changing to my new trays. I like feeling another little shift and marking another set off my total. Lucky for me it is the alternate week from payday, so I have something to look forward to every week now

[Music35fly]

A lot of the things I like about Invisalign are the same as the rest of you. I love that my teeth have never been cleaner than now. I think the fact that I floss three times a day helps. The first tray has not been bad other than the first couple days. I look forward to the coming changes. As far as eating I do watch my time so that I can stay at 22 hours a day of wearing but if I really want a sweet I have it first. So happy I have decided to move forward and improve my smile.

[magdalene]

Now that I'm a bit further through my treatment (5/18) I love seeing positive changes beginning. My two front teeth (which are what I long to fix most) are definitely beginning to uncross and I can see by looking at my 9th tray that they'll be almost lined up by then. I can't wait. People who know me well and know I'm trying to fix my teeth are noticing differences and being really supportive too.

[skyliner77]

I agree with most of the prior comments. One that I'll add is as my front teeth were getting straighter, I could eat nice even rows of corn on the cob. Before with my very crooked front teeth, I would always mangle the ear when eating it and leave half of the kernels.....teeth are now easier to floss too!