Invisalign Users

[happybaker]

Does anyone here have any experience with Invisalign? I have a consultation visit in two weeks and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on questions to ask.

For those that have done it in adulthood (I'm 54), where there any pros/cons? Would you do it again? Was the timeliness they gave you accurate or did it take longer? Anything you wish you knew beforehand?

In reading some reviews online, I see jaw pain being mentioned. Some have also mentioned that their bite was messed up after. I'm taking the reviews with a grain of salt, because I fgure those that are unhappy are more likely to post online.

Thank you!

 

[cvjw]

My husband did Invisalign at 57. He was pleased with the results - his was to change his bite. His timeline for use was almost exactly what his dentist said it would be. Might be different if you were using them as actual braces to totally transform your teeth.

 

[fla4fun]

Does anyone here have any experience with Invisalign? I have a consultation visit in two weeks and I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on questions to ask.

For those that have done it in adulthood (I'm 54), where there any pros/cons? Would you do it again? Was the timeliness they gave you accurate or did it take longer? Anything you wish you knew beforehand?

In reading some reviews online, I see jaw pain being mentioned. Some have also mentioned that their bite was messed up after. I'm taking the reviews with a grain of salt, because I fgure those that are unhappy are more likely to post online.

Thank you!

I don’t have experience with Invisalign, but having had conventional braces I can vouch for jaw pain when the teeth move. Each time my braces were adjusted (which should correspond to switching to a new Invisalign tray) my jaws and teeth would be sore as the teeth moved to the new position. Once they settled, the pain would go away until the next adjustment. It wasn’t overwhelming, but I did take OTC pain meds when needed. It may depend on how much your teeth have to move how much pain you have. I would ask about it at your consultation if you are concerned.

 

[Sleepy425]

As a dental professional, I would ONLY do it at an actual orthodontist's office. Not a dentist who "took a class for Invisalign." And definitely no mail in thing. If they aren't credentialed as an actual orthodontist don't even bother going to the consult.
Moving teeth can cause root resorption- you want a professional following your case and making sure things do not move too quickly, because resorption will happen more in an older patient than a child. I've seen xrays of what can happen (on my actualy patients, not just in classes). No way I would risk my teeth to anyone except a specialist.
The patients I have seen who have gone to a qualified orthodontist have had good results. But you have to make sure you are the type that will really keep with it - wearing it 23 hours a day, switching the trays at the right times, etc. Honestly I know I am too scatterbrained for it, so I am choosing regular braces for myself whenever I get around to actually doing it again (had ortho as a child, want some teeth shifted just a bit).
And if you do go through with it, look into a denture ultrasonic cleaner. It will help to get the nooks and crannies so much cleaner! And as a bonus it can also be used to clean your jewelry (just put whatever you want to clean in a ziplock baggie with water and whatever solution you choose to clean it with to contain the bacteria, that way the machine doesn't get contaminated).

 

[Tinks]

I am a 50-something who just finished Invisalign this past September. I agree that you should have an orthodontist do it and not a dentist. My orthodontist was great, and I finished exactly on time. What I did not understand fully is that after the initial set of liners, you will very likely need "refinements". This is another set of liners adding more weeks onto your treatment to tweak things. It is nothing to fret over, but can add anywhere from 2 weeks to several months depending on your results. Also, my treatment had me wearing my liners for one full week each. I would not go faster than that.
I did not have any jaw pain at all. It is important to wear them at least 20 hours a day. I aimed for 22 hours and was able to do it. It is difficult at first but once you are used to it, it's normal. It is also important to keep your teeth clean. You will be brushing a lot and make sure to floss before bed!

I'm happy to answer any questions about my experience.

 

[happybaker]

Thank you, everyone.

@Tinks - how did you handle going out to dinner or events like that? Can you have a leisurely dinner out?

 

[GoingSince1990]

I'm originally from the UK and had terribly misaligned teeth that had not been corrected with US-style orthodontics, and I did Invisalign in my fifties which worked great for me. For meals out I brought along my Invisalign kit and a very small collapsing cup, brush, and floss. Before the meal I would go to the bathroom and take out the aligners, and after eating go to the bathroom again, do a quick floss, light brush and rinse, and put them in again.

 

[disny_luvr]

I wanted to answer your question about eating out. I personally never had Invisalign, but both my sons did. When we’d go out to dinner, they’d take them out before we left home and then put them back in when we got home. We didn’t always do this, but one time my son took his Invisalign out at the restaurant and put the case on the table when he got up to leave and he left it there and we didn’t realize it until we got home. By that time, they had been thrown out. Thank goodness, he was switching his trays the next day so all was good.

As for me, I got braces when I was an adult (during Covid so no one could see them because of my mask ). Maybe I’m old school, but I just think braces work better, if that makes sense.

 

[happybaker]

As a dental professional, I would ONLY do it at an actual orthodontist's office. Not a dentist who "took a class for Invisalign." And definitely no mail in thing. If they aren't credentialed as an actual orthodontist don't even bother going to the consult.
Moving teeth can cause root resorption- you want a professional following your case and making sure things do not move too quickly, because resorption will happen more in an older patient than a child. I've seen xrays of what can happen (on my actualy patients, not just in classes). No way I would risk my teeth to anyone except a specialist.

Thank you for your reply. The consult is with my regular dentist, but after reading the above and more online, I'm going to cancel that appointment. I'm going to reach out to an orthodontist to schedule an appointment.

I'm going to ask about regular braces too, and see which route they suggest.

 

[Tinks]

For going out, I took along my Invisalign case. I would excuse myself to pop into the restroom and take out my liners. After eating I would put them back on in the car on the way home and brush as soon as I got home. (or take a travel toothbrush with me and brush in a restroom).

 

[fly girl]

I did not have Invisalign myself, but my daughter had them and we are pleased with the results.

First, yes we did go to an orthodontist and with others I agree that is a must.

Second, my daughter took 6 months longer because one tooth was absolutely stubborn in moving. It wasn’t extremely rare, but it definitely isn’t your typical scenario. She had to have a rubber band to help aid in its shift. It was not a big deal, just created a little more work every time she put them back in.

Third, very little pain. I will admit I have a kid who can be dramatic when she is in pain. Not with Invisalign. Only once, I believe her 3rd set, caused her mouth to really feel sore with movement. Now, compare that to me who had traditional braces as a teen, night vs. day. I had a decent amount of pain every month they put in a new wire for a day or two. Not to mention my inside cheeks being all rough from pressing against the braces at night.

Fourth, you do have to be committed to wearing them. I was very worried my daughter would be lackadaisical about it, but she wasn’t. However, the orthodontist did say at our initial consult the group that tends to not wear them the 22 hours a day, adults! Kids are fearful to get into trouble with parents/orthodontist for not wearing them. Adults don’t have that fear!

Fifth, eating out wasn’t a big deal. You just take them out before and pop them back in on the way out during a visit to the restroom. Easy peasy.

Finally, the cost at our office was the same for Invisalign or traditional braces. But something to consider in your decision.

I think you’d be happy with Invisalign since visually you can barely tell if at all if someone is wearing them. I would’ve killed for that when I had braces!

 

[Meriweather]

I'm wearing Invisaligns right now.
I have been for about 10 months......no jaw pain. The only discomfort is when you change trays and they push on different teeth. That is mild and only lasts a day or two.
I got them because of teeth alignment and problems in the future.
So far so good. I have awhile to go still. They are reassessing at 50 weeks.I was told 2 years, but hoping it will be sooner. I am good about keeping them in. And I change them every week.
The problem is snacking and leisurely drinking something besides water.
Going out I take the case, take them out at at the table, put the case in my purse so I won't forget them and I also take a disposable little toothbrush.
I got them at 69 years old. Night retainer will be after forever....

My daughter also had them for about 3 years. Wearing the night retainer now. It has been about 5 years since she had them.
DIL also had them. For about a year.

 

[Pooh2]

Thank you, everyone.

@Tinks - how did you handle going out to dinner or events like that? Can you have a leisurely dinner out?

I am about half way through my estimated 13 month treatment (I am in my 50s).

They give you a small travel case that I keep in my purse. If I am meeting a friend for lunch, I try to remember to take them out before I head into the restaurant.

I keep floss in my purse and try to at least floss before putting them back in if I don't have the opportunity to brush my teeth.
It does feel like I spent a lot of my life brushing, flossing and rinsing.

I put in new aligners every two weeks.
Some weeks, the first couple of days of new aligners are uncomfortable.
I don't eat anything too chewy on those days.

My teeth had been shifting for the last 5 years and felt uncomfortable. The aligners have actually reduced the night/grinding pain.
The aligners are much more comfortable than my night guard was.

I am happy that I finally started treatment and looking forward to seeing the final result.

 

[lilmc]

I think the biggest issue with adults according to my friends and husband is coffee. Sipping all morning/day long is time away from having them in.

 

[happybaker]

I think the biggest issue with adults according to my friends and husband is coffee. Sipping all morning/day long is time away from having them.

That thought has entered my mind. I do love to have a cup of tea on my desk at work