Third time’s a charm
I will be receiving complimentary Invisalign® treatment in exchange for sharing my experience and I’ll be checking in to give updates on my journey and progress. All opinions are my own.
Hi friends! How’s the day going so far? I have some fun news: I’m about to start Invisalign® treatment, and I’m excited to share a little bit about the journey with you.
My overbite rejoices.
Invisalign clear aligners is something I’ve been wanting to do for years. I had metal braces back in the day (during the already awkward years of my adolescence), but my teeth were never fully corrected. For this reason + my not-so-fab retainer, my teeth have shifted over time. Initially, my teeth were very crowded, but my overbite was the most noticeable part of my smile that needed tweaking. Now as an adult, it’s back, and it’s only getting worse.
At my first appointment, they took some digital VERY close-up photos of my teeth, but since some of you might be eating lunch haha, here are the digital representations.
My smile on the left, and a corrected version on the right:
Pretty amazing, huh?
For my consultation appointment, I went to Dr. Styrt’s office in La Jolla. Going into the office, I was wondering what type of vibe I would feel, because I remember that when I was young, it was mainly kids my age being treated. Even during my second round of braces, I felt strange going into an office full of kids and tweens as an adult. I think that has definitely changed, and more adults are seeking orthodontic treatment. In the office, it seemed like there were just as many adults as children.
In the consultation area, they took photos (obviously no X-rays until the little one is born) and discussed my treatment plan before the doctor came in to talk to me. I was really hoping that I would be a good candidate for Invisalign clear aligners treatment, as traditional metal braces for a third full time didn’t sound very appealing (I’ve actually had braces 3 times; 2 full sets and a half set of something my then-orthodontist determined was the wrong type). Thinking of the pointy metal brackets, the wax, and picking/prodding all over again makes my skin crawl.
I had traditional braces as an adult (in college), and although they were the clear type, I was still often referred to as “the girl with braces” at work. I didn’t love how they looked, and I thought they made it more challenging to floss and brush my teeth. If I was deemed a good candidate for Invisalign clear aligners, I could remove the aligners to eat and brush/floss my teeth. Thankfully, I was, and after meeting with Dr. Styrt, my teeth were scanned for my clear aligners, which should be here in a couple of weeks. So, so excited!
My overbite has been really bothering me, especially over the past year. In photos, I try to see if it’s totally obvious, and don’t like side profile pics because of the bump on my nose and the overbite. It’s funny how small things can have an impact on our confidence, even in the day-to-day routine. I’m looking forward to the day when it’s not in the back of my mind.
One of my very favorite pictures, which just so happens to have the overbite in its glory.
I can’t wait to let you know how things are progressing, and I’m so thankful for this opportunity with the Invisalign brand.
Have you had braces before? What was your experience like? Has anyone had Invisalign clear aligners? Any tips for me??
Hope you have a great day!
xoxo,
Gina
I am an Invisalign brand spokesperson receiving complimentary services and I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity. All opinions expressed are my own. Full disclosure is here.
p.s. If you are interested in Invisalign clear aligners treatment, you can request more info, here.
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Congrats! I’m currently in full metal braces at 32 since Invisalign couldn’t fix my jaw issue. Wishing you a happy healthy smile!!
thank you so much, trish!
What a timely post!
I’m currently considering my own post-adolescent orthodontic treatment. I decided that wearing my retainer after braces (top only, I have a permanent retainer for my bottom teeth) at night wasn’t cool anymore when I was around 18, and I am paying for it now. Result? My teeth are moving forward, causing them to crowd and shift at the front.
It’s noticeable, especially to me – and my mum – who has already made the “we paid $10,000 for that smile…” comment.
Invisalign is an option, but is hella pricey as they apparently charge the same rate whether you do top + bottom or just one of the two (I only need to correct the top at this point).
I’m leaning towards Incognito (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/US-Incognito/hidden-braces/) as they are placed behind your teeth. Genius! Downside? A speech impediment until you get used to them. Which would be hilarious since I am the phone a lot for work.
Good luck with your treatment! Your smile is lovely as it is, but the confidence boost will make it even more radiant for sure!
i had looked into the hidden braces, too and was wondering if they’d affect speech. i also was wondering if they’d be scratchy on the inside?
The orthodontist I met with said they don’t rub against anything unlike traditional braces. I have a hidden retainer for my bottom teeth that has been there for 17 (!) years and it’s not scratchy at all. Most of the time I don’t realize it’s there!
I did Invisalign a few years ago, they were my second round of braces and they were great. They work much faster than traditional braces and are a lot more comfortable. Good luck with them, I hope the work well for you!
so great to hear! thank you- i’m excited about it!
Ahhh I have this same issue and it affects my confidence. Who knew you had to wear a retainer for ever, since my teeth starting moving in college. I Was looking into this same option, but not sure if it’s something I can do budget-wise. I look forward to your journey and I’m assuming it’s fine while being pregnant:) which I awesome.
How long do you have to wear them?
i will probably have mine for a year and a half, but i’ll know for sure when i get my aligners
yep, totally fine while pregnant! i just need to stay on top of getting my teeth cleaned because dental health changes a bit while you’re preg. xoxo
That’s true! Best wishes and glad this will make you feel more confident. I always thought you had a nice smile/teeth:)
I had braces as an adult because my mom thought crooked teeth gave me character 🙂 I had traditional clear ones and I didn’t mind them. Was happy to get them off though. Happy to say my retainer still fits after 15 years! I take it as a good sign my teeth aren’t moving.
wow, that is awesome!
Aaaah jealous! I have an overbite and it actually affects my ability to eat some food stuffs but unfortunately my benefits don’t cover it 🙁 Good luck!
I spent the first 29 years of my life with embarassingly crooked teeth. Finally, with my husband’s support and encouragement t, I got braces a little over a year ago. Unfortunately, my permanent canines never came in so traditional metal braces were my only option. Even now that I’m missing my canines as I wait for the permanents to come in, I’m still so happy that I made the decision to get my braces. I’m less embarrassed of my braces (and missing teeth ) then I ever was of the original teeth. Now I just have to survive 2 more years …
Congrats on getting Invisalign! I am about halfway through my Invisalign treatment. They might need to apply what’s called buttons to some of your teeth, it helps to hold the trays in place and encourage movement, they are clear just something they might not have told you about yet.
I’m really happy with how my teeth are progressing so far. I am getting sick of wearing them all of the time. Optimal wear time is 22 hours a day. So you only take them out when you eat and drink anything other than water.
If you leave them in when you drink coffee or even green tea, it will stain the trays and your teeth. Thankfully, you get to swap out trays every 2 weeks so that helps, but they can get really disgusting in two short weeks. It’s best to brush your teeth after every time you eat before putting your Invisalign back in, otherwise, the trays will get stinky.
Best of luck to you! I never noticed your overbite, I always thought you had a great smile.
p.s. After the treatment is complete, you will have to wear the retainer every night for ever and ever. I’m not looking forward to that myself either.
thank you so much for the awesome tips. i’ll definitely make sure to brush them! at the office, they have something you can use to shorten the treatment time -it vibrates your teeth slightly, like an electric toothbrush- for 20 minutes a night. it’s supposed to reduce the treatment time by HALF but i don’t think i’m going to do it. i could see how you would get sick of wearing them all the time, though. 22 hrs is a lot!
So exciting for you! I wish I could get invisalign – I had braces as a kid and then lost my retainers in college. Now they’re all shifting.
Gina, I had invisilgn about 9 years ago and could not be happier with the outcome!! I loved being able to remove and brush, eat… I had a gap and it fixed it beautifully! You will love this!! So excited for you to start them!
that makes me so happy to hear!! i’m so excited to try them
My sister had Invisalign and loved it! Unfortunately my teeth are too messed up and I need the whole jaw wired shut, palette expander deal. This is why I keep putting it off! haha
AHHHHH. i probably would, too. dental stuff is not my fave
Major props to you for sharing this! I can’t believe how similar our experiences are…I had traditional metal braces in high school, but my retainer was terrible and I ended up in clear braces for a few months during college. I have permanent retainers now, but I still notice a lot of shifting, especially on the top, and I do have an overbite. I haven’t given the “third try” yet – things seem okay for now, but I do wonder if it could be in my future. I hope the Invisalign goes great for you! You have a beautiful smile either way! 🙂
thank you so much! yes, we do have similar stories. i’m excited to give these a try
I was fortunate enough to never have to wear braces in high school. However, as soon as my wisdom teeth came in (college!!!!) my mouth grew overcrowded and messed up my perfect teeth! My mother was a dental hygienist who suggested invisalign! I loved it! I wore them for about 4 months and they completely straightened my teeth. Unfortunately, I still had a small problem with my bite and had to wear real braces for a few months after invisalign:(
that’s awesome you had such a short treatment time!
Stephanie, did you get the wisdom teeth removed? Or do Invisalign with the wisdom teeth?
I wore metal braces as a teen, didn’t wear my retainer as an adult (I know), and am just finishing up my second round of braces with Invisalign (at 49). I love the results. As Pam mentioned above, the trays can get stinky. I actually brush my trays with toothpaste every time I brush my teeth, and occasionally soak them in a cup of diluted white vinegar/water for a short time while eating breakfast, etc. The attachments she mentioned can sometimes make the trays difficult to remove, but once you figure out the best method it’s a breeze. That actually was the most frustrating part for me (getting trays out after they put on attachments). Now I can pop them out quickly and discretely, even in restaurants. Another bonus of Invisalign if you’re a teeth grinder/clencher…they double as great mouth guards. If you have questions or need specific tips feel free to email me.
good to know about the vinegar trick. i was wondering how to clean them besides brushing, and i like that idea lot. thank you for offering the tips! i’m saving your email if i have anything come up after i get them!
I loved my experience with Invisalign, and agree 100% on them being great as mouth guards! Along with brushing them each day, my orthodontist suggested soaking my retainers in warm water with one of those fizzy denture cleaning tablets every week or so. I’ve had my final set of retainers for about 10 years, and they’re still going strong!
good to know!!
Thankfully, I have not had braces, and I didn’t need them, but I take really really good care of my teeth so I don’t have to do the veneer thing anytime soon!
It’s funny how we always zoom straight to the thing we are self-conscience about in photos. I’ve seen that adorable photo of you and Liv quite a few times and have NEVER noticed any “flaws.” All I notice is the natural bliss that is shining through 🙂 This could be a lesson for all–no one really notices what we think stands out in a photograph, but everyone notices the important, overall personality shining through 🙂
Agreed!!! 🙂
I second that!
I had braces for 2.5 years as a teen and it’s totally my fault that my teeth have shifted back somewhat…I never wore my retainers. I’m looking forward to hearing about your Invisalign experience! Like you, I’ve noticed my overbite more and more in recent pictures, so I may end up going the Invisalign route soon if possible.
That’s exciting! I had braces during the awkward years of life as well. I did really well with wearing my retainers after until college when I lost them. So far I think my teeth are doing fine, the dentist hasn’t mentioned anything to me. Good luck!
Gina, you’re beautiful! With or without an overbite 🙂 I’ve never noticed it but I am so happy that you are doing something that will make you more comfortable!
I had head gear to adjust my overbite as a child (it was my whole top jaw, not just my teeth) followed by braces. I also had a ton of teeth pulled because most of my baby teeth didn’t want to fall out so my adult teeth would have grown in behind them! I was a shark child.
I also caused part of my overbite by sucking my thumb until I was nine. I was a cool kid 😉 haha!
I’m absolutely requesting more Invisalign info! I had braces for 5 yrs in high school. My teeth have a cross bite like you. It’s causing TMJ problems and grinding which is no bueno. I’ve been wanting Invisalign but it is pricey! I need a blogger price!
I did Invisalign and it worked wonderful well. I felt dorky wearing them- and lispy- but it’s a small price to pay to have your teeth corrected without traditional braces. Congratulations!!
Hey Gina,
Did you say why the second round of braces was unsuccessful?
I had traditional braces in junior high — before invisalign was even an option — but I think they’re (invisalign) a great option for adults. When I was younger, I don’t know if I would have had the patience to keep them all the time, especially when they would be adjusted. I think I would have been like, “These hurt too much!” while constantly taking them out.
i was in college, and what was supposed to be 6 months was a year. i was over it, especially after having them for 5 years the first time. after going to a few appointments where they said it was as good as it was going to get, i asked if they would take them off
I’m not gonna lie: it makes me kind of sad that we live in a culture where a woman as beautiful as you feels less confident (about her looks, anyway) because of two extremely minor, barely noticeable *perceived* ‘imperfections.’ (To say nothing about the fact that our culture still values women’s looks more than anything else about her.) Whether you ‘fix’ your teeth or not, you are already beautiful and enough, ladies!
Hi Gina! I’m excited for you! I did Invisalign about 3 years ago and loved the results. My braces story is similar to yours – two full sets and then a round with just the bottom. Several people mentioned the “buttons” or “attachments” to your teeth with Invisalign. Basically, it’s just a little bit of glue and it does help the liners stay in place. After the first few days with a new liner, they are much easier to pop on and off. I was concerned about a speech defect with the liners, much like the old retainers we all had, but Invisalign liners fit much closer to your teeth. You may notice a few speech defects at the very beginning until you get used to them, but after that I didn’t notice much of a difference. I did notice that as with tightening/adjustments with traditional braces, your mouth may hurt a little when you switch to a new liner.
My biggest advice, ask for a permanent retainer when you are finished with your treatment. After my stint on just bottom braces, my ortho put in a permanent retainer on the back of my front teeth and they have never moved again. I asked if when I was finished with Invisalign if he could do the top he said he would but couldn’t guarantee it would be as successful (something about the shape of the back of my top teeth). So far though, so good. What was also helpful, with Invisalign, they made me a retainer/liner to keep wearing several nights a week to keep my teeth in place (and they made this after the permanent retainer was in places to accommodate that shape of my teeth).
Happy to answer other questions if you have them, but I think you’ll be really happy with the results!
Hi Gina! Question for you regarding this sponsorship (not sure if that is the correct term). Is this something that you reached out to Invisalign to procure or did they contact you? I’m not a blogger, but as an accountant I’m fascinated by the cash flow of blogs and the non-monetary compensation that bloggers receive. And as a braces wearer and military wife myself, I am very envious of your complimentary treatment! 🙂 We are moving unexpectedly this summer, so I will be moving my treatment to a third orthodontist and I’ll tell ya what – switching orthodontists makes these braces super expensive! Feel free to email me if you don’t want to address this publicly. Thanks!
ahhh that is tough! i had explored this in the past, but we were always about to move, so i figured it would be tough trying to find a new orthodontist wherever we ended up.
i was introduced to a girl here who does PR for the company and we were chatting about opportunities. when invisalign came up, it was a no-brainer because it’s something i’d been considering for a while and was an awesome fit. usually when we receive bigger ticket items, we get 1099s for the value of the product.
hope you have a great weekend! <3
Congrats on the decision!! I had traditional braces in middle school, but never wore my retainers. My teeth have progressively gotten worse since then. I toyed with the idea of wearing braces again in college, but didn’t. I finally got Invisalign a few months ago at 28, and I am SO GLAD! Honestly, I have an insane amount of buttons, and many are on my front teeth. My Invisalign isn’t nearly as invisible as a lot of people’s, but those buttons are letting me finish in 10 trays so I’m sticking it out. 🙂
This is awesome, so happy to follow you on this journey. I keep considering treatment as well, but it is fairly pricey (although I know it would be worth it). My main concern is how it would affect my speech, as I feel I am not the most articulate person to begin with lol. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts! Although like everyone else, I never even noticed an overbite because to me, you have a beautiful smile!
I had them on my top teeth (mainly for aesthetic reasons, I still have a bit of an overbite but i don’t mind it now that my top, front teeth look straight!) for about 6 months. I didn’t have a TON of shifting to do, but one of my two front teeth jutted out and showed a big space from certain angles that I was VERY self-conscious of it. It worked really well and I was so happy to be able to take them out to eat and brush! However, they didn’t let me know right away that I would have to get these little “nubs” put on my teeth a few weeks into the start of my program….they are tooth-colored but they are definitely noticeable, especially since they had to put mine on all of my front teeth! Some people just need them on their teeth further back; they basically help click the trays into place and make for better, quicker straightening. All in all, still better than traditional braces, even clear ones, but I was always very self-conscious about the nubs (I forget what they are actually called)! Luckily, it went pretty quickly for me and I am SO happy that I did it. I would do it again in a heartbeat! Although since they sanded the nubs off, I feel like when I do teeth whitening my teeth don’t get quite as white anymore…like maybe some of the enamel was worn off in the process. BUT! Still. I think having had braces, you will find these WAY easier! I am so happy it exists as an option for so many people now!!
Oh! Buttons….yes….that is what they are called. Thanks, Jennelle!
I finished up my Invisalign treatment almost a year ago exactly and had great results. It was something I had always wanted to do and since I was getting married last August it was the perfect time to do it! My treatment was 16 trays for a total of 32 weeks. I took progress pictures and enjoyed seeing the difference. I was never in a ton of pain but with each new set of trays there was some discomfort, nothing Tylenol couldn’t fix. I’m excited to see your results!
I wore braces as a child and a second time (to do it right) when I was prego with my second child! Braces twins! My teeth are straight now 🙂 and I often get compliments. I am really glad I did it! Good luck to you!
I had Invisalign when I was a teen and to awesome. And don’t think just because not metal it’s not painful, it can be excruciatingly painful at times. The most Important part with having any braces is you have to wear your retainer every night. I think most people usually stop just wearing retainers and that’s why so many people end up needing braces. You’re teeth look good already so good luck with them!!
thank you! i’m definitely not looking forward to the pain aspect, but i’m so excited about it
Hi Gina! I’m currently 20 weeks pregnant and undergoing invisalign treatment. 🙂 I’ve had invisalign for almost a year and a half now so I’m just finishing up. My first set was 26 trays, around 52 weeks of treatment. Then I needed a refinement series of 18 trays, which I change every 10 days. Invisalign is easy and discreet. It takes some getting used to of course. I carry a toothbrush and paste wherever I go. I tend to be a snacker. You can really only drink water with the aligners in. One thing I noticed is before I was pregnant I really didn’t have much pain or soreness when changing aligners. Since pregnancy, every aligned change causes a headache that just won’t quit. I usually have to take a tylenol to ease the pain, which wasn’t the case before pregnancy. Another thing, I always floss when I brush. I find it I skip flossing the aligners can get funky. Before Invisalign I flossed just once a day. Hope this helps and good luck!
wow, preggo invisalign twinsies 🙂
thank you for the awesome tips! i’ll definitely be sure to keep some floss, a toothbrush and a toothpaste with me. i’m a big time snacker too
I had invisalign as an adult after not wearing my retainer. I had the invisalign for nine months, wore my retainer for 6 months (22 hours a day) after I got the invisalign off, and still faithfully wear my retainer every night. It’s funny how being an adult makes you care about these things 🙂 The whole process was pretty simple, so I don’t have much advice to give, other than to warn you that the first couple days that you have them… get ready for excruciating pain (and I pride myself on my pain tolerance) and not being able to eat much because it is such a process to take them out and put them back in. Again, that lasted about two days out of the 9 month span, so it wasn’t a huge deal at all.
ahhh good to know! i remember the first day i got real braces.. i tried to eat a hamburger and couldn’t even bite into it! not quite looking forward to experiencing that feeling again
i had the traditional metal braces when i was 11 and wore them for almost 2 years. i had to start wearing both a top and bottom retainer every night 2 weeks after getting my braces off (because that was how long it took orthos to make retainers back then). i wore my retainers EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT. and my teeth still shifted. my ortho was a big jerk and accused me of not wearing them and would not make me new retainers. therefore from 13 until i graduated from college and even into grad school i wore the same ill fitting retainers. my ortho adjusted them but they never fit quite right and always hurt. i have all 4 of my wisdom teeth as i had room for them but i’m pretty sure that’s what caused my teeth to shift. we only have one ortho in town and he accused me all of sorts of crazy stuff when i had braces. my sister and i were fighting one night and she kicked my head which made my mouth slide across the side of our coffee table causing one of the braces on a front tooth to get pushed all the way over to the other side of my tooth. he accused me of chewing gum or eating something i wasn’t supposed to like caramel. one of the best days of my life was when he left his business to his son and i never had to talk to him again.
i don’t blame you! that sounds like a rough experience :/
I had metal braces as a child and my teeth moved. I have Invisalign now. it was only supposed to be about 5 months but I have stubborn teeth and they moved back when they put me in a retainer. I am so ready to be done but much better than metal braces!!
Hi Gina!
I’m currently 20 weeks into my Invisalign treatment and I’m really happy I’ve decided to go forward with it. Like you, I also wore metal braces and ended up looking into Invisalign after my teeth had noticeably shifted due to retainer issues. I can already tell a difference and I’m excited to see the finished result!
My biggest tip for you is to make up some sort of “on the go” bag with floss, mini bottles of mouthwash, and even a mini toothbrush. The only thing I’ve found super annoying is that you have to take the liners out every time you eat (and I snack a LOT!). I’ve never felt comfortable putting the liners back in unless I’ve flossed any excess food out of my teeth (food stuck in between teeth will cause the liners to fit improperly), so I always try and run to the bathroom to quickly clean up my mouth before sticking them back in. Having a ready to go baggie of the basic oral hygiene stuff has been super helpful, especially when I’m out and about (and my mouth is always super clean, hah!).
I’ll try and think of other tips, but for now, good luck!! 🙂 let me know if you have other questions!!
I am 6 months into my Invisalign treatment and I love it so far. It took 3-4 months for me to really see a difference, but my teeth are already much straighter. I bought a little kit with electric toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, and floss that I take with me when I go out: http://www.violife.com/Slim-Sonic-Electric-Traveler-p/vts.htm
My best advice is to always change to a new tray at night. I usually put the new tray in after dinner, around 7pm, and then wear it until 9am the next morning. That gives your teeth more time to adjust to the new tray. It hurts a lot more if you start a new tray in the morning and then keep removing it and putting it back in every few hours during the day.
I had braces twice – once at age 18 and again as a 40 something. Honestly, it is so worth it. I did not wear my retainer like I should have after the first set of braces and my teeth shifted pretty badly. Lesson learned. I got my braces off last August and will wear this retainer to my grave. (luckily I only wear it at night!) ha ha. I don’t have any experience with invisalign but am glad you are able to get this done. I am all for getting something fixed if it bothers you – even if no one else probably even notices.
I know everyone has some features about themselves they don’t like, but I never would have noticed anything wrong with your teeth. You’re gorgeous! But if it bothers you, happy you have this opportunity. I wore my retailer diligently for ten years after my braces and my teeth are still all crooked. Can’t tell unless you’re examining them thigh. I still have nightmares about my retailer. Ugh, so not worth it
I had braces in 8th grade and tried invisalign a few years ago but wasn’t faithful enough in wearing them bc I was going through a lot of other things and my teeth were the last thing I was really worried about. I wish I would have worn them because now I currently have metal braces on my lower teeth at age 36. You have to be diligent in wearing invisalign. Good luck!!!
I am actually about to graduate dental school.8 years of school!! Ahh! But I never noticed your overbite, I have one myself and was in braces twice as well (and headgear at night lol) sometimes we are our own worst critics. That pictur of u an livi is beautiful and the overbite doesn’t overshadow any of its beauty! Just my two cents:)
I had Invisalign and had a positive experience. Mine was for an overbite as well. I loved that you could see the results as they were happening. The worst part for me was the attachments or “bumps” that were affixed to the teeth. They were visible when the trays were out and made the trays tricky to get in and out. I recommend asking the orthodontist where they will be placing the attachments so you are prepared. I wasn’t informed about them ahead of time and it was a little shocking! Definitely worth it in the long run.
Are the materials,that the Invisaline is made from, are safe during pregnancy?
yes, they’re made of medical grade plastic. i think they’re probably similar to plastic dental mouth guards and retainers material
I did invisalign a few years ago and overall had a good experience, but I will note that no one I’ve spoken with has finished “on time”. I had a “revision” about half way through and ended up taking almost twice the amount of time originally anticipated, so I tell people to plan for 1.5 times so you don’t end up super upset that it’s taking too long! 🙂 Much of the issues is that they suggest taking only 2 hours without the trays each day in total and that wasn’t realistic for me (or for anyone else I know). I agree with the above posters about being prepared for attachment points. Mine were not, thankfully, on my front teeth, but they were fairly noticeable on the side. And also, you should know that the trays are nighttime for life once you’re done. I’ve gotten very used to them, but my ortho was very adamant about that since your teeth can shift back fairly quickly as an adult. All these cautions aside, it feels like a very small inconvenient part of my life since it’s over and I’m happy that I did it!
One more thing – once you do get to the permanent nighttime tray, invisalign makes a cleaner for the trays that works to get any buildup and grossness off of them. Brushing doesn’t totally get it and I felt like the denture cleaners just didn’t work that well. I use a packet once every 2-4 weeks and it makes them all sparkly!
oh, good to know!! i have a plastic retainer and feel like brushing it still doesn’t do the trick. i’m glad to hear that it works!
Invisalign is wonderful! I used it two years ago and am so glad I did. I was lucky to have a relatively short amount of time with the trays – about nine and a half months total, including refinements. I second what the others have said. The attachments do make it difficult at first and it can be painful the day after you change trays, but overall it really can be a good experience. You get used to popping them out for meals and having to brush your teeth all the time. In fact, after I transitioned into only wearing the nighttime retainers, I remember feeling like something was missing without the aligners. Ha!
Best of luck to you!