Ease of removal

There is talk of losing weight/hunger because of decreased snacking during the day. I know these things are removable, but are they hard to remove and then replace? What is involved? If it is just a matter of pulling them out, then sliding them back in, what's the big deal with snacking? Thank you.

Hey Joel,

I have found that I have lost weight and I have only been using them for about 8 weeks now. I find it really difficult to take out the new aligners when I change them every couple of weeks but it does get easier the longer you wear them.

The problem is that if you're feeling a little peckish then you have to take the aligners out, in my case donning rubber gloves because I cant take them out with my bare hands, then eating whatever you want to eat then having to brush your teeth and clean the aligners before putting them back in again.

To me, its just not worth it. Of course you can if you like, but then remember, if they're not in, they're not working... so if you want to snack all day then they are in and out, in and out. They should be in AT LEAST 20 hours a day. You think, 4 hours, hey thats loads, but it does go quite quickly and if you add up all the times they're out then it can be alot longer than you think.

Whatever works for you works for you but I do only normally eat 3 meals a day now...

I had trouble the first night I had my trays. I actually cut my lips up, but that is just because I didn't know what I was doing. Once I figured out how to get them in and out, they are simple. I lost 7 lbs the first week of my treatment, mainly because I was afraid to drink anything but water with them, and I skipped breakfast everyday. I am just about back to my normal eating habits now, since I have adapted and learned how to eat something really quick, brush my teeth, and get them back in. They are working great for me.

Maybe this could be an excuse for myself to slim down
Hopefully, my local dentist has something like this Which I highly doubt

This is not a sliming excuse though, but it would take time to learn how to get along with it once you started.
After that its simple, and when its gone, its heaven!!

[invisaligngirl85]

okay losing weight is definately not something i want.. i am already very slim as it is.... i do not want to lose any weight.. are there any recommendations out there, so this doesn't happen... 7 lbs lost in a week? yikes!!!! can't not afford to lose any more, before i start looking aneroxic. this so sucks

[Sunny]

If you are prepared to wear your aligners as instructed and keep your oral hygiene A1, there is no reason why you should loose weight.

One of the main reasons people loose weight while wearing invisalign is that they become lazy, and don't want to eat, as that means having to remove their aligners and clean their teeth. In these cases, fixed bracket braces are more suitable.

You need to take responsibility for eating properly and therefore making sure you don't loose weight.

Good luck!

[Zoso]

3 meals at 30 - 45 minutes, plus 2 snacks at 15 minutes, plus cleanup time after each, and morning and night still puts you in the 20 - 22 hours of wear/day range.

You can also get creative by making your snacks quick, but calorie- and nutrient-rich. I had a friend who was in serious training and struggling to maintain weight, so she added diet shakes as her drinks to accompany meals!

It's really up to you.

[Zoso]

Should add: if you're having trouble removing your aligners, ask your doctor whether he has any tools to give you to help - many docs will give their Invisalign patients a special little hook tool. Barring that, some patients find that a crochet hook work well without damaging the trays.