ClinCheck

I thought I'd post my ClinCheck that my ortho kindly sent me. You can see the changes in my teeth. so some reason I find it more impressive just to pause the start and the end of the animation to look at the vast difference.

I mentioned to my dentist that I was not sure whether my teeth either side of my two front teeth would come down to meet the length of the two front ones. I don't know if this will happen. I hope it does.

I can't believe I only have a two weeks to go on the bottom set. I have to decided on what type of retainer I want. which is hard because they both have advantages and disadvantages. the convenience of the removable retainer is great but it's not as secure as the fixed one. Choices!

I'm not sure whether the bottom set will be perfectly aligned in two weeks, so I may need refinement.

Surprise IPR and a little bit of ouch!

Well I haven't updated in a long time, mainly because there's not been too much to report on. Same ol' same ol'. New Aligners every two weeks. The usual vice like grip for the first day or so, then back to normality.

I thought I'd give you an update. I went out the other night and took my aligners out so I could have a drink (I didn't want to get Modelo Negro beer all over them!) and I managed to break off two of my lower set attachments, so I made an appointment to have replacements and it's a good job I did because I was actually due some more IPR. that both my Ortho and I was unaware of! I hope my gaps close up soon, I'm beginning to look like a yokel.

Let me just say this lower set has been the most uncomfortable of all my sets so far, I think the Invisalign technician must have been on crack, on Friday night I gave in and filed the razor sharp edges away with an emery board, which did the trick (Oh the relief!) but unfortunately the lacerations from the appliance had been made, so the new soft edges are still rubbing somewhat, so I'll have to soldier on (OK, so I'm being tad melodramatic)

Yesterday I ate a really nice breakfast of Irish sausage and egg, the sausage was really hot and I burned the roof of my mouth right where it meets the back of my teeth. Lots of skin came away it was pretty gross, but as if my mouth hadn't had enough torture from the rough Invisalign, now it's really suffering and the Upper invisalign really hurts where it rubs. I've swooshed a few times with Corsodyl and taken some Cocodamol.

My teeth are really changing position (yeah, I know that's the idea!) Someone who saw me at the beginning of the treatment said they couldn't believe the difference. I can't believe I only have 3 more of the lower set to go and then maybe some refinement- but it's going so fast.

Crack!

I have a crack in my upper set (I'm on the 7th set now) The movement has happened I'm pretty sure because they are not ultra tight. Anyway the split is on the inner roof of my mouth side and it must have happened after I had my lunch today, as when I could taste blood and I went to the bathroom and they upper set had filled up with blood. I think the split had cut me or pinched me. Oh well I rinsed them out and it was ok. I'm gonna email my Ortho to see if I should switch to the other set I'm due to change into on Thursday. I'm not too sure I will be able to cos I have 2 lots of IPR due, at the front :-( so I'll be gappy soon.

Photo- Look away if squeamish!

Well I had some more IPR on Thursday, there was a lot of pushing and pulling and a little blood and discomfort but nothing major and no real pain. I have a lot more to go! I'd say grin and bear it but it's more 'open wide and bear it'

I'm on the next set, obviously straight in after the tooth shaving. Tight again, duh! This set seems to be a little rough around the edges, and since yesterday I have a little sore in my mouth from rubbing, I've gargled with Corsodyl and I actually took to the edge very gently with the fine side of an emery board and OH MY GOD how much better it was immediately- Stephanie did mention even before I got the aligners that she could file them down if this happened but I couldn't wait to see if I could get an appointment and I was very careful with the aligner, it's actually the edging beyond the aligner, probably where it's moulded.

Talking of my Ortho she sent the 'before' pics to me today (thanks Stephanie!) Viewer discretion required! By the way I don't have blue spinach in my teeth- it's the residue from the impression material.

Third set in....

Not much to report. I switched to the 3rd set of uppers and lowers on Thursday night. There were really tight at first, which is to be expected. What's amazing is that they are easier to remove that the first 2 pairs. I can see my left canine is definitely less protruding.

I've learned that it's best to place the aligners in a small glass of water with a dash of Milton Sterilizing fluid (stuff for cleaning babies' bottles) this stops them getting the 'dog breath' smell from oxidizing with yukky saliva on them, yeah gross I know but it's true. Try running your finger around your gums and sniffing it 4 hours after you've brushed your teeth. You get the picture.

Also since learning the sterilizing fluid trick, I've noticed the aligners don't discolour now, which is great.

Yesterday I was at Charing Cross Station and I saw a guy about my age wearing train-track braces. I thought smugly to myself that he should have got Invisaligns because no one has noticed unless I've told them.

Hopefully I'll get the wide mouth pics from my ortho soon to post.

Painless IPR and broken attachment

Today was so quick and easy, it's a shame work has been getting me down!

Last night I switched to the second aligner for the top set due to the tear/rip/split in the first set, it was tight and when I removed it for my final floss-brush-rinse I snapped an attachment in half, I heard a subtle pin dropping noise as it pinballed across the sink and down the plughole. I wasn't worried because I'd read about them coming off and I knew I was seeing Stephanie today.

I had more shaving and today it was more like a manicure in for my teeth, a denticure! Just some simple back and forth with the diamond emery file, I can barely see the gap. So much nicer than the reprox with the bur. No pain at all. Then I popped the fresh bottom set aligners in and hey presto. I like the feeling of them being 'encouraged' to move.

It's amazing how much the old aligner discolours when you compare it with a new one, it's only little by little and you can't see it when they are in. I think it would be great if Align gave you two of each, one for backup or just to replace in a week so it's fresh. It kinda makes me think of dentures, denture wearers would never leave them in for 22 hours a day, they are disinfected every night. But then again, Invisalign isn't for life, it's for 2 weeks at a time!

I've been wearing the top set for about 20 hours and the bottom set of second aligners for about 3 hours. I can feel the pressure.

I have a month before the next IPR/shaving/reproximation which is good, also because I may have to travel abroad for work.

I'm trying to get around to buying a new webcam because my old one won't work on my laptop and when I do I'll post on you tube.

My Ortho has said she'll send me the pictures with the Mouth-Opener in (my friend-not) so you can see the 'before' pictures soon

Splitsville

Well my holiday wasn't great but that's another story. I found going all-inclusive with an Invisalign a lot easier than I thought. Mainly because the hotel would fill my water bottle with club soda so I felt like I was having a treat, but it was just water. at mealtimes I'd have beer or raki or gin and tonic then, floss, brush, rinse and back in with the invisalign.

Once I did swig some cherry drink as I completely forgot about the device in my mouth, but I rushed to the room and cleaned my mouth, they didn't stain.

The sensitivity died down on Tuesday probably thanks to the Sensodyne and just time passing.

I'm surprised at how much 'gunk' gathers on the Invisalign itself I though scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush would be enough, but I've taken to using some washing-up liquid too.

Disaster struck yesterday when the upper set split by my right canine. i think it's because it's a prominent snaggle-tooth and maybe it's been splitting ever-so-slightly for a while.

I called Stephanie, my Ortho today and she said I could switch to the next set, I can't do that for the lowers as I have some more *shudder* IPR- AKA shaving, slenderizing or reproximation. I may ask for the needle because it wasn't painless not matter what Align Technologies say!

As for the tooth movement, I kind of like it. it's a very slight pressure. No pain so far.

I'm concerned I keep waking up grinding my teeth, well the aligners. But I'm stressed at work so it's probably that.

Ok, I'll post you tomorrow after the IPR.

The first 24 hours

Well 1 set in, 26 uppers and 13 lowers to go.

Yesterday took such a long time to come around. I got to my appointment on time no thanks to road closures on the A2 and some swift driving by my workmate.

First thing attachments, I wasn't a big fan of the pumice, especially as it gathered in my throat and I eventually swallowed it, oh well it's fibre eh? then the acid, and the bond, then the composite (B1- see my previous post) in a premoulded shape so the attachments are in the right place. A few of the attachments broke off immediately so I needed the last few steps again.

Then I needed my middle lower teeth 'shaved' by .4mm 'Shaving' is a misnomer it's a bit of drilling and then some shaping with a mini emery board. I seem to have sensitive teeth so I think I'll be asking for the needle for the next ten I'll need.

Because my appointment overran my Ortho had to give a quick checkup to a patient, it was a little bit of respite for me!

Then my dentist filed the 'flashes' of rough composite.

Next step, finally putting on the Invisaligns. They are pretty simple to put on, but because I have attachments from the outset they are hard to take off. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

OK, now the downside. My gumline is so sensitive from the acid and constant on-and-offing.

My fingernails hurt from pulling the invisaligns too. But you know I'm just being a baby

My attachments meet my overbite, so I'm having to change my mastication pattern. I'm worried I'll break them off when I chew, I'm sure that won't happen but I don't want it to.

On the upside, the Invisalign doesn't hurt at all, I quite like it, it's like getting a tooth hug.

I was a little naughty and opened my very last package. I wanted to see the end result, and I really like it :-)

Well I'm going on holiday for a week. So I'll keep you posted and I will do some video blogging when I get back.

Five days to go!

Hi

My name is Lang and I'm 35 years old and I turned down braces in my younger years, which was a silly mistake, so after years of not smiling I've finally decided to go for Invisaligns

I have had my new smile designed. I can't believe I first visited the ortho on February 12th (so many problems with multiple impressions- my mouth not fitting the trays, having to order special medium trays, then I had bubbles on the impressions!, then my doctor declined the first ClinCheck because there was a gap on the lower set, but last week (May 20th) I finally got to see and approve the finished look.

I'm a little peeved that they are unable to fully close the gap where I had an extraction from a root canal that went bad but the gap will be reduced by more than half, it's right next to the back tooth and if I really hate it I can have an implant. My doctor says the gap at the back won't show when I smile though

I'm not surprised (but a little disappointed also) that the actual width of the smile won't change that much, apparently it's very difficult to widen the 'tooth arch' (how wide the overall 'U' shape is) in adulthood due to the back teeth having four roots plus for me I have a small mouth so there isn't that much room to work with. I'm guessing also it's difficult for Invisaligns to do this because I've seen the spring-loaded metal devices they use to widen the tooth arch and obviously the selling point of Inviz is that it's clear plastic.

It's a big step I guess considering I've had these teeth for such a long time, everyone says I don't really need to and it's a lot of money

I do wish I hadn't declined braces in childhood, but what amazes me is that the treatment will take only 12 months and two weeks. Maybe quicker if my teeth move very fast.

What I'm not looking forward to is:

A) The pain

B) The 'attachments' or 'buttons' -Their name for small pieces of dental bond they stick on to direct the tooth movement,

C) Not being able to drink anything other than water when they are in- and they need to be in at least 21 hours a day

D) Lisping

I'm looking forward to the reported weight loss of most patients because you just can't be bothered to take them out, brush your teeth, clean the trays, and put them back in just to have a snack

As for the 'buttons' they are made to match your teeth, so I was pleased to hear my tooth colour is b1 which is apparently the whitest natural shade you can have- I have no idea why b1 is brighter than A1!

I use 'natural' loosely as my teeth are bleached.