finally pulled the trigger...

[D]

today on some sweet new invisaligners. Came home from work, stashed my tips with my savings, counted it all up and realized that I finally hit the $1000 mark that i've been saving for.

Immediately I called up the doc, set up financing for the rest and set up an appointment to get it all done. It's all going to happen.

So now a few questions...

First of all, how long am I going to have to wait to get the first set in the mail? Doc said about 1 month. Any experiences with this?

Are they really that invisible? Having never seen them on anybody in real life before i'm defintitely sceptical. They've got to be noticable if you're looking for them, but how about if you're not? I'm super self concious about my teeth and havn't told anybody that i'm getting this done (not my parents, my roommate, or any of my friends), and honestly i'd rather them not notice until my smile isn't jacked up anymore. So whats the real deal on this?

Is it standard or even possible for my dentist to prescribe some pain medication. I've read how they can hurt for the first day or two, and I have a hell of a time sleeping if i'm in any pain at all.

Thanks everybody, and if you can't tell, i'm completely stoked that i'm finally getting this done. I've wasted 21 years of my life not smiling and being self concious about it, I can't wait till its all over.

[rsprouse]

today on some sweet new invisaligners. Came home from work, stashed my tips with my savings, counted it all up and realized that I finally hit the $1000 mark that i've been saving for.

Immediately I called up the doc, set up financing for the rest and set up an appointment to get it all done. It's all going to happen.

So now a few questions...

First of all, how long am I going to have to wait to get the first set in the mail? Doc said about 1 month. Any experiences with this?

If all goes well it will be about a month. Your doc will take an upper and a lower arch impression, either a full mouth series of x-rays or a panoramic x-ray, and a bunch of intraoral photographs. Everything is sent to Align (the Invisalign folks) with a prescription. They will go over the script and run it through their computer system and either ask for more information from the doc or suggest any changes. This may go back and forth between the doc and Align a few times. Once things are approved they are released to their mfg plant to be processed, packaged, and shipped to the doc. It will be about a month most likely (give or take a week).

Are they really that invisible? Having never seen them on anybody in real life before i'm defintitely sceptical. They've got to be noticable if you're looking for them, but how about if you're not? I'm super self concious about my teeth and havn't told anybody that i'm getting this done (not my parents, my roommate, or any of my friends), and honestly i'd rather them not notice until my smile isn't jacked up anymore. So whats the real deal on this?

If you look at your teeth you will see them. Certain trays will be more visible depending on how well they fit and their function. But most people will not really notice them at a casual glance.

Is it standard or even possible for my dentist to prescribe some pain medication. I've read how they can hurt for the first day or two, and I have a hell of a time sleeping if i'm in any pain at all.

It is possible, but not likely as there is no need for it. If they were to write you a script I can't imagine it being for anything stronger than Motrin 800 mg. That is basically 4 OTC Motrins. You'll be fine....just a bit uncomfortable for a few days.

Thanks everybody, and if you can't tell, i'm completely stoked that i'm finally getting this done. I've wasted 21 years of my life not smiling and being self concious about it, I can't wait till its all over.

Good Luck, just be aware that it is treatment and there are a lot of unknowns and potential issues that can arise. Just remain calm if they come up and work with the doc to deal with them so that you are satisfied. And be aware that one of the greatest hurdles to overcome with Invisalign (or Orthoclear) is patient compliance. If you are not wearing your aligners you are not doing anything to better your smile. Shoot for at least 20 hours per day if you want to see good results. The more time you spend in them the better.

Best,
Rory

[diehard]

I've wasted 27 years of my life

first thing the pain is minimal put new aligner in on friday night that way the aligner is feeling good on sunday i would not want to wear a new tray on a work day that would bug me.

second as to the invisable thing i have had 4 fillings 4 extractions and worn 13 trays nobody spotted a thing don`t draw attention to them eg picking at them and when talking to people try and stand a foot away and sometimes they are a bit glossy under bright lights.

[D]

I ended up getting orthoclear instead of invisilign. My dentist said that it is a better choice for my specific case.

My bite is perfect and I just have little spaces in between my front teeth. Because of this he only has to move the front eight teeth, leaving the back teeth and my bite exactly as they are right now. I guess orthoclear is better for this type of case because it moves the front eight while invisilign only moves the front six.

Other good news is that it's only going to cost me $2500 rather than the $3600 he was going to charge for the invisilign. Because it's so cheap I only had to finance it for six months interest free and i'll have it all paid off before i'm even done with treatment. Then once I'm done I won't have to worry about anything, i'll be able to enjoy my new smile 100% stress free. I'm stoked.

[meggles]

Thanks everybody, and if you can't tell, i'm completely stoked that i'm finally getting this done. I've wasted 21 years of my life not smiling and being self concious about it, I can't wait till its all over.

I know the feeling!

I'm 22 and going for my first consult tomorrow for Invisalign. I'm SO beyond excited.

I should have gotten braces when I was a teen, but I refused and stomped my feet, and didn't get them. I regret it now, of course.

I just really hope that the doc says my teeth are a good candidate for invisalign, and that it all goes well.

I've hated my teeth for so long, and I can't wait to be one of those pretty girls who can give a big smile in a photo and look gorgeous.