This post contains affiliate links. We may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
I am an Invisalign® clear aligners spokesperson and all opinions expressed are my own. Full disclosure.
For the past few years I’ve wanted to do something about my teeth, since they were not as straight as I’d like them to be.
When I was a teenager I had braces for almost four years and after that I had a smile I loved. Then I went to college and wearing a retainer wasn’t a priority. I pretty much wore it when I remembered for the first few months, and then I didn’t think about it after that for many years.
A couple years ago it started to really bother me that my teeth were not straight anymore, but I couldn’t see myself wearing metal braces again.
One of the main reasons I didn’t want braces to straighten my teeth was because of the time commitment followed by the look of them. I’m not a teenager anymore and I just couldn’t get past the thought of having metal braces on my teeth again.
When I learned about Invisalign® clear aligners, I knew that was the treatment for me.
I was really curious about Invisalign clear aligners.
I had so many questions and I know others do too…so I’ve decided to share my experience.
My treatment started with a visit to my orthodontist. He and his staff answered all of my questions and explained the process. They also evaluated my teeth to determine if I was a candidate for Invisalign treatment. I was! After that, we set up another appointment to get going with treatment.
At the second appointment, they used a really cool machine, called iTero, that took images of my teeth used to make my clear aligners. I was expecting to have those messy impressions made and I was really happy that I didn’t have to do that. The appointment took 20 minutes and I was on my way again.
Exactly 4 weeks later I was back in the orthodontist’s office to pick up my first set of clear aligners!
This was such a big day for me.
It felt like it was years in the making and it was finally happening! When I got to the office the Dr. and his staff explained how to wear my aligners and how to care for them and my teeth. He recommends that I clean them often with a toothbrush and toothpaste and that I brush my teeth each time I put them back. Speaking of which, it’s recommended that you wear them for 22 hours a day. So far I’ve had no problem doing that. I did forget to put them in right after I ate and my oldest walked in the room and asked why they were sitting in their container.
So there is a learning curve the first couple weeks. But I’m 12 days into treatment and I’m past it already. I can easily pop them in and out and I don’t forget to put them back in now. It almost feels like something is missing now when I don’t have them in!
I took this picture of me wearing them on the first day.
That night we saw my parents and I smiled the whole time we were together. They never noticed I had them on…my parents didn’t even notice and they notice everything! I’d say that my teeth look shinier than normal, but other than that, you really can’t tell. This picture also shows the teeth that have moved on the bottom and the top a bit too.
I’m so excited to see my smile after treatment!
I always say that if either of my boys need braces, I am doing this. I had metal braces when I was a kid and they are NO fun!
This is awesome news. I’m on my last pair of aligners now. I’ve been super happy with the results.
My daughter and niece want to do this after reading your article convince this it the way to go thanks.
oh wow congrats you anyway have a great smile now it is going to be stunning =)
This is awesome! I think it is such a great idea instead of the traditional metal braces. I would love to try this on my teeth.
I am actually contemplating it for my 11 year old who has a really bad overbite. I’m looking at all my options though but it all depends on what my copay is. If it’s not too terribly expensive it’s my first choice.
This is my first time to saw this treatment, usually I’ve always seen braces to improve your teeth good. This is good and interesting.
I have a friend who had Invisalign and she LOVED it! When she rinsed it out, she said she was cleaning her grill!
I didn’t know this can be done at home. I can’t wait to see the result when you’re done with the treatment.
I so know about teeth not being straight. I am in the midst of undergoing a series of complicated dental surgeries.
Thanks for sharing your experience with Invisalign. There are a lot of people who will find this very helpful.
How cool! I can’t wait to see the results, and love the idea of following you along on your journey!
I have always been curious about Invisalign . I had to have the big medal braces when i was a teenager. I am excited to see your progress.
I would love to get Invisalign and fix my teeth. It is never to late to get the smile you have always wanted.
I have had braces, but after some years now my teeth have moved. I’m going to look into invisalign.
I have not, but only because I have worn my retainer for 16+ years now.
I would love to have straighter bottom teeth. love how these are clear
Looking good. I hope it works well all throughout! I haven’t heard of a treatment like this before, it sure is interesting and I’d love to give it a try.
Like you, I had braces as a teenager and was diligent in wearing my retainers for a few years after. However, I lost them and ended up getting Invisaligns. I love them!
I did the same thing as you – but at age 29, I couldn’t stand my crooked teeth again. So I invested in braces, footing the bill this time instead of my parents. I always wear my retainer now.
I would love some invisalign. When I was younger I needed braces but my family couldn’t afford them so this would be the option I would go for now!
Big congrats to you. I’m sure you’ll be super happy with the final results.
If I had known more about Invisalign when my oldest was in braces, I would have gotten them for her. Unfortunately, after having her wisdom teeth out, her lower teeth have reverted back, even when wearing retainers.
Invisalign is pretty new for me, but sounds like a wonderful treatment option to try out as I do have teeth issues like you. It is quiet amazing that you could wear it without the worry of someone noticing you which makes it the best for sure.
I started on 12/10/15 and my initial round has 17 trays, just like yours. I’m also a “repeat customer,” having metal braces as a teenager! I’ll be following your blog since we are on a similar path! Thank you for sharing your story!
That’s awesome Fiona! I have a few tips I’ve been using that have really helped… working on my next update soon!