New Invisalign wearer - some concerns. Advice much appreciated.

[MelbGal]

Hello everyone,

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks now trying to get the courage to finally get Invisalign and now to get some advice on these aligners in my mouth. One week on and I'm doing ok. I still have a slight lisp but am sloooowwwly getting used to them. They drive me crazy at times and I just want to yank them out.

Anyway, I was hoping for some advice...I thought I had done my due diligence before finding a provider but the one thing I didn't take into consideration was using an orthodontist over a dentist! I just thought as long as they had experience and I felt comfortable with them then this process woul go smoothly. The more I read the forums however the more I think I may have made a big mistake.

The reason I am apprehensive about my provider now is because he gave me my first aligner to wear without putting the necessary attchments on saying he'd let me get used to them. Great I thought! At the same time he mentioned he was going away for a 3 weeks and he wouldn't give me the 2nd aligner until he was back unless I had the attachments - so it was either I let you get used to them or we put the attachments on today. I went home had a think about it and dealt with my first day of aligners.

I could see I would need about 7 attachments - 4 top, 3 bottom. Everything was ok except where one of the top attachments would be - top right canine tooth. The attachment is quite large and I kept getting my lip stuck on. It was also rubbing my mouth. I apparently need 15 Upper and 22 Lower attachments and I thought I cannot deal with this one attachment for the next few months. Not only that it's quite visible.

I went back the next morning prior to him going away and asked him what my options were. I said I didn't meant to be 'high maintenance' but I couldn't deal with this one attachment and could we just put the others on. He wasn't too happy about it but said he would email Invisalign to ask for their opinion.

My question is - should he as a provider know what else can be done and what effect this would have on my teeth? I don't want to pay someone who will need to consult Invisalign at every step! My teeth are not that bad to begin with - minor crowding on bottom, slight buck of two front teeth, mild overbite.

The whole process will be costing me $6000 and I have paid $3000 already. I am now worried I made the wrong move with this guy or is this normal?

Also, when you all signed on to proceed with your provider did you get like a contract with all the inclusions itemised? I don't have anything like that...

Thanking you in advance!

[GoofyGG]

Hello there.

Did you mean 15 upper and 22 lower trays, rather than attachments - hope so . Anyway, you might find that you get used to this rogue attachment after a couple of weeks. it took me a while to get over them, especiallywhen my trays were out - I couldn't wait to get the trays back in again!

My ortho was recommended to me but it would never have occurred to me to go to a dentist for this work to be done. I didn't even know at the time of choosing that dentists were 'allowed' to meddle with the movement of teeth. Anyway, my ortho has dealt with all queries I've had herself and hasn't consulted Invisalign at all. in fact, I got the impression that they did what she wanted them to do when she was planning my treatment.

I did sign a contract which detailed exactly what was included: Initial trays. all filing, consultation every 6 weeks, up to 3 lots of refinements, whitening, upper and lower bonded and removable retainers - estimated treatment time 18-24 months, £4,000 all in - paid up front.

Given that you have already parted with half the agreed fee I would suggest that you air your concerns to your dentist as soon as possible wrt what is included in the fee - it might pay you to cut your losses now rather than pay the whole amount if the $6k isn't fully inclusive.

Hope that helps, good luck!

[magdalene]

Hallo melbgal. I second everything Goofy says (and I too was wondering about all those attachments!!)

I'm in melbourne too and I'm with Lavrin and Lawrence. I'm only a third of the way into my first round of invisalign so I can't praise their results yet, but I've felt from the beginning that I was in really good hands. Inclusions in the fee are very clear in my contract, the timeline has a firm outside edge (18 months) and my questions are answered by my ortho. I too have annoyingly visible attachments (five upper, six lower) but I figure its in a good cause - my teeth are really horrible. Anyway if you were thinking of looking around for someone else or for a second opinion, L&L seem really good to me.

Good luck with everything!

[MelbGal]

Yes sorry that was 15 upper ALIGNERS and 22 lower - not attachments - Lord! Could you imagine!
Thanks for your messages. I did email the dentist and raise some of my concerns so that I would have something in writing.
He mentioned that the fee includes any required refinements at no extra cost to acheive the result in the Clincheck.
At end of treatment, retainers are also included to maintain the arch shape at no extra fee, except for the type made by a third party which are full metal. Apparently I will need to see him every 6 weeks at which point he will monitor the progress and give me the next 3 aligners.

As I've only just started maybe I should be patient - I am concerned though if he is going to have to consult with Invisalign over everything! I'd expect this person to treat me using their expertise. Surely they should know what would happen to this one tooth if there was no attachment?

[Bekster45]

All of your trays are already made so whether you get that attachment or not, the current set of trays will still have that "bump" where the attachment goes. Also, that attachment may be on a tooth that really needs it. Either to move the tooth or help move another tooth (or teeth). Hopefully he's able to give you an answer soon so you know. It's too bad he had to call invisalign to find out though. Did you get a copy of your clinichek? That may help you see what's supposed to happen, etc.
Good luck!!!

[thegoodfight]

Hmm i think you will be fine, my supposed ortho is a platinum invisalign person, and i am not entierly convinced he has all the answers...

Your doing the right thing coming on here and asking questions, i think a lot of people undergo this treatment and haven't got a clue what there in for

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

If I were asked the same question, I would absolutely say that the attachment has to stay on. The reason is that I am the one who developed the ClinCheck and I don't leave it to techs to tell me which ones are needed and which ones are not. I often remove 'recommended' attachments from the techs because they aren't needed, and add them where they are required.

It is possible that your doctor answered you this way so that he can tell you "Invisalign says you need it", but the truth is, experienced providers should know the answers about what is needed/not needed during your treatment. Good luck!

[MrBurns]

I had one attachment that was particularly bothersome. It was so sharp it was cutting into my inner cheek when my aligners were out for meals. That made the cheek swell a little, and then my cheek would get in the way of my teeth and I'd bite it. I went back to the orthodontist, and he was able to smooth it off just a little. It made all the difference in the world! So you might ask if that's a possibility ... I'm sure it doesn't affect the functioning of the aligner to have the attachment smoothed out a little.

[GoofyGG]

Ah yes I forgot, my ortho smoothed one off for me right at the beginning - I wanted it smoother but she said she couldn't take any more off it as it wouldn't do it's job!

[MelbGal]

Thank you for everyone's advice and messages. He's away at the moment so I guess I will just have to wait and see...

I just don't understand why this particular tooth needs to be moved! It's actually perfect (in my opinion at least) and there's an attachment on the tooth next to it too.

Even though the trays have already been made with this 'bump' already there I know I won't get used to it. 2 weeks on and it drives me mad. My only relief is when I take these aligners out.

[schmick]

Hallo melbgal. I second everything Goofy says (and I too was wondering about all those attachments!!)

I'm in melbourne too and I'm with Lavrin and Lawrence. I'm only a third of the way into my first round of invisalign so I can't praise their results yet, but I've felt from the beginning that I was in really good hands. Inclusions in the fee are very clear in my contract, the timeline has a firm outside edge (18 months) and my questions are answered by my ortho. I too have annoyingly visible attachments (five upper, six lower) but I figure its in a good cause - my teeth are really horrible. Anyway if you were thinking of looking around for someone else or for a second opinion, L&L seem really good to me.

Good luck with everything!

Hey Magdalene

I have Invisalign and I'm currently with Lavrin & Lawrence too...

I'm on Tray 8 of 24!

Really feel that the team there are very experienced with Invisalign... Hope you are having a similar experience!

L&L were my second opinion and glad I visited them! I love going in to get my new trays! =)

[magdalene]

Hallo schmick! I'm glad to hear that you too are having a good experience with L&L. Like you, I actually really look forward to going in and yes, I definitely feel very confident they know what they're doing. I didn't get any other opinions. I have a really lovely dentist and she said they were the best in Melbourne, so that was good enough for me. But it's great to hear that someone who was more diligent in their search came to the same conclusion!

8/24 - you're a third of the way through too!

[schmick]

8/24 - you're a third of the way through too!

Ooh, I didn't realise this... I was too excited thinking about the next time I go to pick up my new trays, I'll be in Tray 11/24! Double Digits! Woohoo! =)

Glad to hear your also having a great experience with L&L...