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Two years ago, I made a decision to do something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. Finally get my teeth straightened.
See the picture above with the perfect smile? It wasn’t always like that. In fact, after four years of wearing braces as a teen, my teeth still weren’t straight. Add to that, many years of not wearing my retainer, and well… I had a smile that I didn’t love.
It was one of those things that REALLY bothered me, but after all those years of wearing traditional braces, I couldn’t see myself going back to wearing those to straighten my smile.
Then I heard about Invisalign treatment.
It was exactly what I was looking for, and I’m so happy to share my treatment story with you all from start to finish.
My total Invisalign treatment time took less than two years from start to finish. This included a couple rounds of refinements. I’ll talk more about them later.
To start Invisalign treatment, I visited my local Orthodontist, Kieffer Orthodontics, for a consultation. He answered all of my questions, determined if I was a good candidate for treatment and then we scheduled a time for me to come back and start the process.
At my next appointment, images of my teeth were taken and my Invisalign clear aligners were ordered. One thing that I LOVED was that instead of messy impressions, they used a little camera system called iTero to get a digital scan of where my teeth were. I gag very easily so not having to get impressions was amazing! The iTero scan was so much better, easier, and quicker!
About a month later, the Orthodontists office called me and I went in for my first appointment. I was given my first Invisalign aligners, and a couple weeks later I went back for attachments. Attachments go on your teeth and enhance your treatment. They are clear and virtually invisible like the aligners (aka trays).
At that appointment, I was given a number of Invisalign aligners so that I could change them on my own. This was very important to me because we travel often and there is no way I would be able to go to the Orthodontist’s office every time I needed to have the next part of my treatment started.
I averaged about two months between visits to the office, and each time I went in the orthodontist made sure that my treatment was progressing well and gave me my next aligners. Visits took just about 15 minutes each, which fit nicely with our lifestyle. My daughter, Ashley, was also receiving treatment at the same time, so it was perfect for me to get treatment as I would be there anyway.
At the end of my treatment, my orthodontist and I evaluated if we were happy with the final look and we decided a few times to make some extra refinements. Refinements are pretty common, and I’ve noticed that often times my refinements were done for things I couldn’t even see, but my orthodontist wanted my smile to be perfect. I’m so happy we did them because my smile looks perfect now! Refinements are just revisions to the original treatment plan.
During my refinements, I was able to try the new Invisalign treatment that is 50% faster than it was before. When I started, I changed my trays every two weeks, but now they can be changed every week! Having had both braces and Invisalign clear aligners, the number one question that I am asked is how they compare in results and pain wise. Pain wise, I found Invisalign aligners to be a lot more comfortable. I wouldn’t call the treatment painful at all. The first few weeks it is a different feeling because I wasn’t used to having aligners in my mouth. My teeth were moving so it was uncomfortable right when I changed the aligner, but it was definitely not painful like braces were in my teens.As far as my final results- I am thrilled and so much happier than I was with braces, which never really straightened out my lower teeth like they should have… even after almost 4 years of wearing them!
Click here to find an Invisalign provider near you.
My ten year old is getting braces. I will have to ask the dentist about this treatment.
I had the horrible metal braces when I was in junior high. I really wish that Invisalign had been an option back in the late 1990s!
Invisalign is a fantastic way to straighten your teeth. I had braces for years and was disappointing when they started to shift back. I will have to look into Invisalign to get my great smile back.
Invisalign is so amazing! I love how the dentistry technology has improved over the years!
Lovely smile. It’s amazing how you don’t have to go through the regular braces that I did when I was young.
It is amazing how dentistry has changed over the years. I think it is great to have the option to go with Invisalign instead of regular braces. Glad you are happy with your results!
I love how the dentistry technology has improved over the years! I def need to try this I want to get braces but this sounds better
I love how the dentistry technology has improved over the years! I def need to try this I want to get braces but this sounds better!!!1
It came out so good! 🙂
What a beautiful smile you have! They definitely sound better than braces. My granddaughter needs them eventually. I clicked through but the locator only shows Invisalign in Cali.
I think these are so much nicer than wire braces! I’ve heard great things from other people too.
First off – you and your daughter look like sisters! It took me a minute to figure out who was who :).
Second – I’ve heard a lot about Invisalign. 2 years isn’t bad at all – I had braces from 6th-9th grade, so that was about 2.5-3 years I think.
Aw! Thank you!
A friend of mine from school wore Invisalign and she really loved them. She said they were so comfortable and easy to take care of.
My daughter is hoping for these. I wasn’t sure they’d be as effective, but you’ve sold me with your experience.
Really nice you actually walked us all the way through your visits. Showing us how it all actually works. Becoming more and more popular way to straighten teeth.
My kids are going to need braces within the next few years are Dentist has already told us. We’re looking into whether Invisalign is a good option for them.
I so totally want to try this. I had regular braces but failed to wear my retainer. This sounds perfect and so easy.
That is exactly what happened to me! I’m so happy that Invisalign was here to fix my teeth (again).
I haven’t seen this before, it looks really useful. Your teeth are perfect now!
The Invisalign sounds like a great way to make your teeth perfect. I was looking into it for my son.
I have been looking into these myself. My dentist recommended them so I have been doing some research. I am glad to hear from someone who has actually used them.
This sounds like a great way to straighten teeth. Your smile is amazing! It seems like a very modern process and that is cool they don’t even need to make impressions. I think this is a great option especially as we are getting older and might not have as much time for traditional braces.
Invisalign is suppose to be amazing for all ages can really increase anyone’s confidence.. I have heard nothing but good things from those that have had this treatment and I would recommend it to anyone that need this treatment. This is a great story indeed. Thanks for sharing your awesome experience.
Glad you have a good experience using Invisalign. I am one of the few who didn’t experience having a brace, and yeah having the teeth aligned properly is a good decision and wise investment.
Invisalign is such an amazing product to try! I’m glad that you experience this kind of dental hygiene. My daughter will love to try it.
Whoa!! This Invisalign looks like a great product to align our teeth. I am glad that you were able to experience this amazing Invisalign product. I will definitely check this out. and I will recommend this to my niece that instead of having braces this product is a must try.
This is a great product for adults and older people;le who don’t need major straightening but also doesn’t want to have a giant bullseye to their mouth.
Wow! It’s my first time to hear about invisalign. I’ll ask my dentist about this when the time comes that my daughter should start wearing braces.
I would love to get Invisalign someday, but we’re gonna put our kids in braces first. 🙂 Looks like you had a great experience with the product. Thanks for sharing.
This is amazing! I have always heard great things about Invisalign. Thankfully I never needed it or braces, but it’s such a great alternative and it’s awesome knowing how much it benefits people who need it!
I’m glad you got the results you wanted. I’d love to get these for my oldest, grown son. It’s something he wants to do but hasn’t ever taken the time to get in motion. It’d be a good Christmas gift idea actually, since I can never think of anything really unexpected and cool to get him, like I could when he was a kid. 🙂
I’m not into braces so invisalign seems more idral. Love that it’s clear & you can take it out.
It looks a nice braces and I think thus would be better that wire braces. I will recommend this to my sister
I had braces a few years back but I’m not convinced my teeth are as straight as they used to be… Maybe Invisalign would be an option for me!
I have never had braces, I really want to get them done though because I am so hating my smile.
That’s so awesome. I will like to find something like that for my teeth. I will have to check with my dentist and see if he can tell me about it.