Invisalign update
This post is sponsored by the makers of Invisalign® clear aligners.
Hi friends! Now that I’ve had my Invisalign® clear aligners for over a month (and have switched a couple of times), I thought it would be fun to post a little update on my treatment so far.
The nutshell version: I absolutely love it. At first, I was a bit self-conscious–as you do have to figure out how to talk with them in your mouth, and I also wear rubber bands–but quickly learned that almost no one notices I’m wearing them. When my mom flew in for her visit, she said, “How is the Invisalign treatment going? You better be wearing your clear aligner trays!” haha. I said, “It’s great! I’m wearing them, silly.” She started laughing because she couldn’t see them at all!
When I first went to Dr. Styrt’s office to get the clear aligners, I thought it would be a quick appointment (even though it was booked for an hour). I thought it was like, “Here are your clear aligner trays, here’s how to take care of them and clean them, and we’ll see you soon.” It was so much more involved than that. Many of you mentioned that you needed to have small tooth-colored buttons on your teeth to hold the clear aligners in place. I have 11 buttons on my teeth, and two small metal hooks on my back molars to hook the elastic bands.
In my mind, I thought the tech would meticulously place them on each tooth, and I was wondering how difficult it would be to make sure the buttons matched exactly. That’s not how it goes at all. They have a sample of your first tray with the buttons inside the tray. She placed a liquid sealant onto my teeth and then attached the aligner. After it was set, she removed the aligner and the buttons stayed in pace.
Since the buttons are kind of pointy, I thought they were REALLY going to bother me. It was even to the point where I was glad I needed to have my clear aligners in for 22 hours each day, because the buttons would slightly poke the insides of my mouth (despite the fact that the tech kindly filed some down). I got used to them within 48 hours, and now I hardly notice them.
First few days…
The aligners put a bit of a damper on my snacking style. I am a constant grazer, and after the first couple of days, it became exhausting to have to brush, floss and clean the clear aligners each time I took them out. Instead, I noticed myself gravitating toward larger meals, and for snacks, I just eat pretty quickly, and get the clear aligners back in as soon as possible. Now it’s become second nature to brush, floss and clean the clear aligners. I will say that I do miss my all-day tea habit. You have to watch what you drink while the clear aligners are in, because certain dark liquids can stain the trays and hot liquids can warp them. I’ve been doing a lot of water and club soda.
The clear aligners feel really good. It feels like I’m wearing a retainer, and it’s nice that my teeth are supported throughout the day. When I put in my new tray, I was worried that it would be painful and cause tightness, but I followed many of your advice and put it in before bed. It didn’t bother me at all.
Some tips so far…
-A waterpik has been a lifesaver. I already don’t have fab gums, to which pregnancy doesn’t do any favors, and the orthodontist suggested using a waterpik. It makes my teeth and gums feel a thousand times cleaner than my electric toothbrush. 
-Keep your old clear aligners. The tech told me that you should clean and put your old clear aligners back in the bag. This way, if you happen to lose your current set, you can wear your previous set until you get them replaced.
-The tech also gave me a great tip about cleaning the clear aligners. She recommended soaking them in a denture cleaner once or twice a week, but on a daily basis to use dish soap and a toothbrush, since toothpaste can make them look cloudy. I use the Seventh Generation Free and Clear with a toothbrush, and it’s helped the trays to stay clear and clean.
All in all, I’m so happy and thankful to be on this journey to straighten my teeth and fix the ol’ overbite.
xoxo
Gina
I’m fortunate to be working with the makers of Invisalign clear aligners as a spokesperson this year! This post was sponsored on behalf of the brand, but as always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting this blog and the companies who help to support our family. Full disclosure.
p.s. If you are interested in Invisalign clear aligners treatment, you can request more info, here.
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My sister had Invisalign done and loved it! I’m glad to hear it’s going well for you!
I love my waterpik! It feels like a spa day for my teeth every night.
I SO wish I had been faithful at wearing my retainers after braces! My bottom teeth are starting to look crowded again. 🙁 Invisalign looks like a great way to discreetly work on straightening your teeth!
I really wish I could get Invisalign. My teeth have moved all over after 5 yrs of braces. Invisalign is expensive! I don’t want to spend $5,000 to have my teeth straightened AGAIN.
I’m so glad you’re getting used to them 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with Invisalign! My boyfriend has been considering them for some time, but keeps getting scared off by the stories he hears so I am going to send this his way. He really needs braces to keep his teeth healthy as he ages, but works in investing so can’t be showing off rail road tracks in meetings.
xx Jill
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totally understand. i had traditional braces in college for a while and it’s different as an adult
Good info! I had braces for years growing up but my teeth have shifted a little bit over the years. I may consider something like this down the road. You never know!
it’s been awesome so far. xoxo!
I don’t have the best gums either — what’s a waterpick? Is this a drugstore purchase?
it shoots water out of a tiny point to clean your gum line. it feels amazing! they have them at target and probably drugstores like walgreens or CVS. we got ours at costco
Great to hear that things are going so well with the clear aligners! It’s interesting to hear how the process works, too. I have had braces twice and I’m (hopefully) done with that forever, but my teeth absolutely love to shift and I can foresee potentially needing something like this down the road.
mine shifted a TON, so it’s nice to have an inconspicuous option that’s working so well. hope you have a great weekend!
Ohhh dish soap??? I’ll have to try that. I’ve been wearing the same trays for 6 weeks now and I clean them constantly and soak them in some refresh powder something and yet they’re turning yellow…. I’m in these ones so long because I’m in between my first round and my refinement round and my ortho just went on summer vacation……. ugh.
hopefully that will help!
Great post! Its great that there is a product like this on the market for people, luckily i had braces ( although i hated them) teeth are stressful!!
ps. i would find it well & truly hard to stop drink tea/coffee
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yes, that part is hard. the benefits definitely outweigh the little things like that though 🙂
I love my waterpik! I just bought one recently and it’s sooo amazing, my mouth feels so clean!
yes, it’s amazing!
Is there any chance you’d be willing to post awkward up close photos? I have “really straight teeth” to almost everyone- except me! I have what I call a “tilt”– my top teeth are slanted a little outward because there is a small crookedness on bottom teeth that is basically hidden (I know this TMI, sorry!). So, I’m super curious about Invisalign especially since I had braces twice as a kid.
Invisalign is great! Michelle got it done two years ago and I am doing it now. I am half way 🙂
I’m on my last two months of Invisalign… I can’t wait to be done! At the end of the summer I’ll start only wearing them at night, it’s going to be weird not wearing them all day. This has been the best decision I’ve made though, I was worried about it at first. My ortho has been amazing, uber picky about everything and I love it because he’s wants everything as perfect as I do, LOL. I am so happy with my results!
How is the treatment going?
still loving it! definitely to the point where it’s second nature and i hardly think about it until it’s time to change my trays out