Tray 1 to Tray 7 Comparison Photos

I avoided doing this for a while as I didn’t want to put up pictures that I could see a microscopic difference in and have everyone think I was crazy or suffering from wishful thinking. I can now clearly see some big changes in my smile (if you can’t see them then bully for you) and wanted to share my happiness that this whole process seems to be working!

On a side note, I am currently on day 4 of tray 7 and this one is probably the most uncomfortable I have had to date! Nothing unmanageable but I did use pain killers sporadically for the first 2 – 3 days and lost another button this morning taking off the trays. The tray seems to be sitting quite high around my back right tooth which is then rubbing on my gum and giving me a toothache. I only hope that this is not painful because my teeth are not moving as planned, hopefully the dentist can give me some reassurance when I see him to collect tray 8 & have my buttons reattached in a little over a week. Here’s my pro tip: if your trays are cutting your gums, don’t eat salt & vinegar chips – ouch!!

Ok, on to the big reveal. I apologise to my friends on facebook who don’t like seeing the pictures of my teeth come up on my feed, just for them I will start with the warning graphic (lol!)

Here is a shot of how my teeth sit today, with the trays on. You can see that my bite does not meet on my right hand side near the front. This hasn’t really been an issue for me as the other side meets fine (On this tray!).

Side by side comparisons (Tray 1 on top, Tray 7 underneath except the first ‘open bite’ shot which is tray 4 to tray 7):

 

Aside from the obvious removal of the upper & lower extra tooth I can see a difference in the front teeth with the size of the gap & tooth coming forward the most prominent change. I can also see a big difference in the depth of my overbite, the angles of the front lower teeth and the shade/hygiene of my teeth (yay for gentle whitening!).

Hopefully you can see the same things I can and can also see that IT REALLY WORKS! Seven trays down, 25 to go!

 

Xx

The Invisalign life cycle: two weeks, rinse & repeat

While sitting on the beach today eating cheese & crackers (hard life I know) I realized that I was eating it without worrying about which teeth hurt. After thinking about it I realised it was because I am currently at day 13 of my tray which means I move to the next set in a day or so. I then thought about the fact that I regularly discuss the difference between certain days with friends but haven’t put anything on my blog, so here goes.

Firstly, I am using a standard 14 day cycle without acceledent or any other optional extras to speed up the process. My  dentist hasn’t even suggested I look into these things and I don’t really have any interest. From personal experience, even the vibration of a power toothbrush hurts so I shudder to think about the vibrations used to speed up the movement of my teeth!

The life cycle:

Day 1:  I count day one as the day I put the trays in (some people count from the following day). I always put the new trays in at night after dinner – this allows me a little bit of time before bed to get the feel of them and check any problem spots. I try to avoid filing any sharp edges before I have worn them in case they don’t end up being an issue. I don’t need to take any pain relief for a new tray but lots of people say they do. I use an aligner chewie for 5-10 minutes after inserting the trays, focussing on anywhere that hurts!

Day 2: Removing the trays first thing in the morning can be a little tricky. I always allow an extra few minutes on day 2 for brushing my teeth as some teeth can be a little sensitive. They don’t really hurt its just that they feel slightly mobile from being in the new position in the tray. I’m very careful with what I eat at the start of an Invisalign cycle, anything crunchy or chewy is just not worth it. The teeth that are moving in that tray are generally more sensitive to hot & cold and will often ache after eating anything that requires lots of chewing. I’m always very aware of how long my trays are out of my mouth on these days as sometimes it seems that I can feel the teeth shifting back if I have them out too long. On a typical day 2 I can have my trays in for 23 hours to make sure this doesn’t happen. I always use the aligner chewies after reinserting the trays to make sure they are seated properly, this can sometimes hurt some of my teeth but I try to remind myself that it’s a good pain!

Day 3 – 4: Gradually over these days my teeth stop hurting and start to feel ‘normal’ again. I still use the aligner chewie every time I put my trays back in and can sometimes eat more difficult food if I want/need to. I’m still very careful these days to cover the full 22 hours a day with more time in if I can.

Day 5: For some reason I always have a problem with edges on this day. I carry a nail file in my cleaning kit just for this. It’s usually the edges at the front and if I don’t catch them early enough they can cut the inside of my lips! It only takes a few seconds to fix, just a quick file to dull the edge – not enough to change the shape though!

Day 6 – 12: This is the normal part of the cycle. I don’t always use a chewie and can eat pretty much whatever I want. My teeth have generally returned to normal so there is no need to wince when I drink my tea or beg off going to that steak restaurant. The exception to this seems to be if I have not consistently hit my 22 hour target or if a particular tooth moved quite a bit in this tray which makes my teeth still quite sore. I find it a little harder to fully clean my trays on these days as the plaque starts to build up. I make sure to hold my trays up to the light after I clean them then give them another go if they need it. I definitely use more retainer brite on these days.

Day 13 – 14: These days are a relaxed wait until the new trays, eating anything I like, taking the trays out is a breeze and someone hand me a steak! I will admit to being more relaxed about the 22 hours on these days, but only on here (I hope my dentist doesn’t read this!)

Then just for the fun of it we start all over again!

The list of foods I go without at the start of the cycle is something people are curious about. Foods can make this list for all sorts of reasons: chewy, tough, crunchy or just need to be bitten/chewed on sore teeth.
– Steak!
– croutons
– chewy/crusty bread
– chips
– pizza
– stone fruits
– apples
– biscuits/crackers
– raw carrots, celery etc
– toast

I’m sure there are many more things for this list that I have forgotten. Comment yours if I missed any!

That is the life cycle in full, hopefully I didn’t miss too much! Any questions or comments just comment away!

Xx

Tray 6 Day 3

Hello again folks!

I’m over 11 weeks into my treatment now and cruising along nicely. I can already see a difference in my teeth, particularly around the gap at the front which is widening for the tooth coming through from behind. My bite has definitely changed and I can no longer grit my teeth without my trays in as the teeth at the front just don’t fit together. I have noticed that the right side of my bite seems to be more disrupted than the left though this is probably just because that’s where the main movement is happening now.

I still have craters where they removed the bottom wisdom teeth and a hole where the upper middle tooth was removed. I am still cleaning these out with a syringe and warm salty water to be on the safe side – I seem to always have food stuck in them so this is a necessity rather than obsessive.

These trays were a little tight when I first put them on, to the point that it hurt a little to chew on the aligner chewie which is a first. I pushed through it though as I think it would hurt more to have the trays sitting funny. This settled after the first 24 hours or so but the front few teeth are still a little more sensitive than normal, nothing that particularly concerns me but it was enough that I couldn’t comfortably get through the crust on a piece of stone baked bread. The edges needed to be filed again including the unusual spot of the outside edge of my last upper right tooth which was a little weird. I have never needed to file anywhere other than the front 5 or so teeth before but this time the edge sliced open my gum as it was sitting too high. I only needed to take off a little before this stopped being an issue – it originally felt like it was the size of a phone book above my teeth but about 20 seconds with a file and I can’t feel anything now.

I realised a few days ago that the normal 3 month rule of replacing toothbrushes probably doesn’t apply to me now as I brush my teeth 4 – 6 times a day (Depending on meals/snacks). While I do use 2 separate toothbrushes, as I have one at home and one in my bag, I think I would prefer to err on the side of caution – the last thing I want is cavities because my toothbrush wasn’t getting all the plaque! I think I am going to go to 6 weeks or so then replace both of them from now on. Now I just have the dilemma of choosing new ones – why are there so many???

The only other item of note is that of my 19 original attachments I currently have 13. I did have 12 and went back to the dentist but 6 of the 7 new ones came off that day. This is probably because of the different method they use for applying them on my sensitive teeth. As I am on a different try now they can’t use the same template that they already have so my dentist has said I can live without the missing attachments until tray 8 when he will have a new template.

That’s all for this week I think, I might post some progress pics on the next tray but my friends complain about the TMI pics that come up on their facebook feed so I have been trying not to do that to them too much.

Any questions, comments, high fives or facepalms just drop it in the comments or like my post (Please)!

Xx

 

Invisalign: MY tips, facts, thoughts, tricks & gripes

Let me start this by highlighting one word from the title of this post – MY. I have read many blogs and articles that talk about the definitive tricks, important facts and absolute best practices but my firm belief is that everyone has a different experience with different things working for them. What works for me may be a terrible idea for you and things that bother me may not be an issue for you at all. The way that I came to my decision on most of this was just trial and error and I would suggest that if you are on or starting your own Invisalign Journey you try everything you can to find your solutions!

The first thing that people in the know ask about is cleaning. Everyone has different ideas about how to clean them, I have heard about all sorts of methods including peroxide, vinegar, salt, hot water (*gasp*), mouth wash, official Invisalign crystals, retainer brite, generic denture cleaner,dish soap, antibacterial soap and retainer wipes. I have tried many of these except the obvious bad ideas like mouth wash (why would you soak a clear tray in coloured liquid??), hot water (hot water + plastic = bad idea!) and the official cleaning crystals which are quite expensive. My preferred method is a soak with a retainer brite tablet once every day or two and I brush them with my toothbrush every time they have been out of my mouth. The retainer brite is so easy to use, just pop the dissolving tablet in a cup of water and put the trays in until the water goes clear. If I forget to do this for more that 2 days or so I notice that my trays start to smell a little. When brushing them I simply brush my teeth then before I rinse my toothbrush I brush the trays inside and out, making sure that I get into all the little bumps caused by the attachments and into all creases and edges. After rinsing them in cold water I hold them up to a light and check that I didn’t miss anything. I have used the retainer wipes when I have limited water access but they leave a taste that I’m not a fan of.

The next most common query is about comfort. I haven’t really had that many issues with the trays overall but would say there are three main threats to the comfort of wearing Invisalign – the edges, pressure and attachments.

1. The edges: I understand that the trays are moulded from plastic and therefore are cut out of a larger plastic sheet (I guess) but for the cost I’m quite surprised that the edges haven’t been machined or smoothed out better. Each new set I have needed to use a file on the edges, usually more than once, to make sure they are comfortable. This only seems to be an issue at the front of my mouth but where it is a problem I get ulcers/raw patches if I don’t smooth the edges quickly enough. All I do to fix it is use a metal nail file (I got a new clean one for the purpose) and simply file at any spot that feels raised or sharp. I usually then pay attention to where the sorest parts of my mouth are and double-check those spots.
2. The Pressure: I have heard many people complain about the pressure of the trays, describing it as a vice or similar but I really don’t understand that. They are a little firm when new but certainly not like a vice. I follow the accepted practice of putting them in before bed but have never been woken by any pain or had pain the following morning. I can certainly feel that they are moving my teeth and it does ache a little – mostly when the trays have been off for a little too long,
3. The Attachments: This is another thing that lots of people struggle with that I haven’t had much of an issue with. The buttons on my teeth are rough and obviously foreign to my cheeks/lips but most of the time my trays are on which stops them from being an issue. They rubbed the inside of my mouth for the first few days after they were initially put on but nothing since. After reading many other comments I had numbing/ulcer cream ready but didn’t end up using it at all.

People online ask me about the visibility of them when they are in my mouth. You will notice that I said people online ask me this because most people just don’t notice it in person. I have told many people obviously as I’m not hiding it or trying to keep it secret but I have been asked many times when I’m starting or when I’m going to put them in which is nice. I did lisp at first and I find that comes back for a few hours when I change trays or if I have my trays out for too long but its only really my Husband who notices it!

I do miss a few things in life while I’m on this treatment. Some of them are because I can’t afford the time, others because my teeth are more sensitive and feel a little loose/unsteady while they are moving around and some are because they are just too darn hard to clean off/out of my teeth. So here is the griping part of this post, I’m just going to run them all out here: Nuts, mango seeds, corn cobs, croutons, quick snacks, long cups of tea, chewing gum, popcorn, midnight snacks, hard candies, long dinners and really any snack while driving. Funny thing about all these things is that I can live without them all, except maybe the long cups of tea – that one is a killer!

Here is a list of all the other bits and pieces I have picked up along the way:

• In your face or in your case: Don’t wrap trays in napkins or put them on the sink or anything else. The only exception to this rule is that whenever I can I put them in a glass of water to soak while I eat. I only do this at home though and have a specific glass so there is no possibility of them being lost or having anyone drink the water (ewww!)
• My lips are dry all the time! I cannot leave the house without a bottle of water and a good lip balm as my mouth dries out pretty easily and this can leave me with cracked lips – especially if my lips are dry when I go to take out my trays. Taking out my trays involves putting two fingers of each hand into my mouth at once so if my lips are dry they crack and bleed and hurt like heck! Ladies, lip gloss does not count.
• Aligner chewies are important! These are small rolls of silicon that you chew on to ensure the trays are seated properly on your teeth. They are also good to chew on when you miss chewing gum! following a tip from one of the dental technicians I now cut them in half as they come in lengths of about an inch which is really unnecessary and leaves a big green thing sticking out of your mouth which is more than a little unattractive.
• Never ever ever leave the house without a toothbrush!! I have a dental kit that goes everywhere with me, without exception. In my kit is a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, tissues, chewies, hand sanitiser, retainer wipes, Hair clips & elastics and panadol (Just in case)
• There are good & bad chocolates when wearing invisalign. I obviously take my trays out to eat everything but when there is a limit on how much time you can leave trays out for I seem to rush the last few mouthfuls of things then rush to brush my teeth. Eating chocolate seems like a good idea but it can be really difficult to get out of my teeth! I have found that smoother chocolate like Lindt just dissolves making it not an issue when it comes to brushing. It’s a hard life when I can only eat the good stuff!!
• 22 hours a day is very doable. Lets ignore Christmas, birthdays etc that are special occasions but focus on ordinary days. I am a creature of habit and I find that as long as I follow routines I can manage 22 to 22.5 hours a day easily.
• Find a good Dentist/Orthodontist before you start. I have spent quite a few hours all up at my dentist’s office and its important to get along with not only the dentist but also their staff. I have spent more time talking to the lovely ladies on the front desk than to my dentist himself and it is from them that I have picked up many tips & tricks! I’m also lucky that the office is 5 minutes walk from my office which makes any followup appointments simple to fit into my busy schedule. Ensure they are very familiar with Invisalign and do your research to check on reviews etc.
• on the topic of Dentist’s and their offices, BE NICE TO THEM! Yes, they are a service provider who you have paid to provide a service but the difference between being nice and just showing up or even being rude can be huge. By being nice to the staff I have got extra products if I need them, last second appointments and just an overall better experience.
• Ask your dentist for a sample size toothpaste (If they don’t automatically give you one). This is much easier to carry around in your dental kit than a full size tube and can be refilled at home from a larger tube (This may take a little practice, do it over the sink!).
• Your bite will obviously change over the course of treatment. My mouth is very sensitive and I have found that I notice if I seem to be biting down on the ‘wrong’ spot. I end up just being careful where I bite down on things that are particularly chewy or crunchy. I did realise today that there is a spot in my mouth where I can’t chew lettuce as my teeth don’t touch but I can just chew it elsewhere so it’s no major issue.
• I have pretty much given up on Foundation & lipstick. I brush my teeth 4 – 5 times a day and simply cannot be bothered touching it up or reapplying each time – if you want to wear them anyway I would suggest you add makeup to your dental kit.
• I have also put away many of my tops etc that have a frill or other detail on the front that falls forward when I lean over, brushing my teeth that many times a day means that I will get frills etc wet which usually leaves a mark.
• There is toothpaste EVERYWHERE! As I brush the trays so often and they are plastic that flicks around I have spots of toothpaste on every surface in my bathroom as well as on most of my clothes. Get over it and just take it as a sign that you are brushing properly, oh – don’t forget to clean it up though!
• Consider buying a retainer case holder with a clip on it. My handbag can be like the 5th dimension sometimes and swallows things – never to be seen again! I have a neoprene case holder on a clip that I can attach to my bag, pocket or anywhere else I will remember to make sure I never lose my trays!

I’m sure I will remember more the minute I post this and will do another post like it in a few months maybe when I have picked up even more! If you have any questions about any of this or even tips of your own please post them in the comments!

I have been on Invisalign for a few months now and I’m pretty happy I decided to do it. I don’t think I’m particularly struggling with anything and it certainly hasn’t gotten in the way of my life at all.

Sorry for the length of this post but it’s all about information! As always, any questions or comments please just post them here and I will come back to you ASAP.
Until next time!

Xx