Day 3 of invisalign. my introduction, thoughts and plans!

[Dr Kaotica]

Hello all, i was doing a google search on some invisalign questions and came accross this forum. My treatment will be about a year, and so here i am!

I figured i would post my story, and concerns for my treatment.

I guess it all started about a year ago when i decided it was time for ortho. So after a new crown, wisdom teeth extraction (2 surgical, 2 pulled) and 3 fillings I have finally started invisalign as of 3 days ago.

I have a 24 tray treatment for both top and bottom, 48 weeks (a little on the long side from what i understand) I'm college-educated, 24 with an active social life and a full-time office job. I have never done any ortho before. I definately was attracted to the idea of being able to take them out to eat and clean your teeth normally, i saw myself sitting in the mirror picking my traditional braces for hours after enjoying a good meal. 6 bumps on my top front and 7 on my bottom front teeth.

I have heard people not liking the "not being able to snack and drink all the time" aspect of this. So far, its not so much the snacking, but definately not being able to drink coffee in the morning at work. I think those energy shots are going to become my friend. Or maybe half a caffeine pill or something? maybe thats excessive...

I generally speaking will go out to a local bar once every weekend with friends. Since it's only been three days, I havent had to do this with my aligners yet. Since we are quickly approaching the weekend, and im already getting texts from excited friends, my thoughts are dwelling on the best way to approach my impending social activities.

Ive read a lot about this tonight, and it appears some just go for it and drink beer/drinks with their aligners in.. I tend to agree with the skeptics on this, i dont particularly like the idea of beer (or even worse a sugary mixed drink or shot) being trapped against my enamel. My dentist has told me quite clearly, only water with the aligners in. Im not going to go against the DDS on this one. So, now for some quick arithmatic.

20-22 hrs every day is recommended. here's when i have them out on a typical workday. 45 min in the morning for shower, dressing, breakfast brushing. 30 minutes for lunch. 30 minutes for dinner. thats 1:45. realistically i could have them out for another 2 hours and 15 minutes and still be compliant for the day. I am not rigid enough to think that if i go an hour or two over that number , for 1 or 2 nights for the two week tray, that its going to affect much. right? theoretically, i could take them out at around 10pm, get back lets say 1:45am or 2 am, brush and stick them back in. I think thats my plan for now. If my "bar night" is a Saturday, that should work even better. I would probably be sleeping in later, and be able to save my 2-4 hours to spend almost exclusively at night while out.

This is my current approach to this, basically using my 2-4 hours wisely and when it counts. During the week is not a problem, mainly concerned about weekend activities right now.

Just wondering if there is anyone else like me out there, the weekend social drinker, and what tips they would have regarding this.

Well i suppose thats it! this got very long, very fast. Look forward to joining this community.

[Bekster45]

You can give it a try, but you may notice the trays are much tighter to put in after having them out for an extended period. Even a couple of hour stretch and I can feel the pressure. This is more pronounced the earlier I am in my set (first week more noticable than 2nd week).
Good luck on your new journey with Invisalign.... I'm on set 16 of 28 and they've made a huge difference already.

[Lebanonite]

I have basically givin up drinking out at bars all together. I put 17 of 23 in tomorrow and
I honestly can't tell you how anxious I am to be done with this. I miss the days of snacking, eating and drinking whenever I want. Really, really want to be done.

[little miss sunshine]

I'm a weekend social drinker too I just stick to drinking through a straw to direct drink past the teeth. Then rinse occasional with water whilst out... then give them a good brush when home.

This is what my Ortho recommended for "big nights out" But I use it most Saturdays

Its when I go out for a meal/ bar food I find it the most irritating I have brushed my teeth now in soo many Wetherspoons haha .. Any tips for my works xmas meal coming up ? haha

Good Luck with your treatment, keep us posted

10/35 U
10/28 L

[paulmerc]

All good tips, my dentist said that if they are out for a longer period one day, then just wear that aligner another day or two before moving to the next. I know this would only elongate what is a long process to begin with, but at least one doesn't have to totally kill their social life.

My dentist also said, drink and rinse with water and then brush afterwards is fine too.

[Dr Kaotica]

I'm a weekend social drinker too I just stick to drinking through a straw to direct drink past the teeth. Then rinse occasional with water whilst out... then give them a good brush when home.

This is what my Ortho recommended for "big nights out" But I use it most Saturdays

Its when I go out for a meal/ bar food I find it the most irritating I have brushed my teeth now in soo many Wetherspoons haha .. Any tips for my works xmas meal coming up ? haha

Good Luck with your treatment, keep us posted

10/35 U
10/28 L

so you would say to leave them in would be better? just straw them to the back of my mouth, and grab a water now and then to swish around?

[little miss sunshine]

I think every one has different views on this especially our dentist's/ortho's but for me this option works best. I went to a wedding party around 2 months ago where I knew eating and drinking was going to a main part. So for this I opted to take them out for around 5 hours. They where very snug when it came to putting them back in and I personally don't like the possibility that they might not go back on just for the sake of a night out.

Every one to there own but I have tried taking them out, I have had the naughty drink with them in (twice) But I prefer the happy medium with a straw.


10/35U

10/28L

[mwip]

My doc advised that it's okay to take them out *occasionally* for a few hours for a day/night out.

Today, I did just that for 3-4 hours (5th day into a tray). When I put them back in they were snug, but after a few minutes I pretty much couldn't feel the pressure. Day 1 and 2 of a new tray are the worst I would definitely leave them in to avoid a repeat of the pain!

I'd think I'd get weird looks if I asked for a straw with my beer! I haven't told everyone about my aligners because I wanted to see of anyone notices and asks about it I got a couple strange looks from an occasional lisp but I stayed cool