Week 1 Progress (Part 1)

So, I'm starting the blog a week into my experience.  I officially received my first set of trays on last Tuesday, May 6th. I commented when I saw them of how much they look like traditional bleaching trays. However, they fit differently. Unlike bleaching trays, Invisalign trays fit much tighter and put pressure on the teeth (presumably to move them).

My visit took less than 10 minutes. I was shown how to them and how to care for them. I also discovered that I have nearly 40 trays (I am uncertain if that means 40 different individual sets of trays or 40 sets - I will inquire next week when I go back).

Here's the scoop on what they told me in the office. My first set of trays is my starter set and will move my teeth, but is more for me to get used to them. So, I can only guess that what ever discomfort I encounter during the two weeks between visits will be minimal comparatively. I go back two weeks from my initial visit to sit in the chair for about 30 minutes. The dentist will apply composite (I am guessing that's the official term for goo and cement) to the trays and this is when the real works begins.

I must wear the trays for AT LEAST 22 hours a day and should only take the trays out to eat or drink anything that will stain the trays. Care for the trays is like caring for your teeth or other dental appliances and requires brushing (duh). And I should limit drinks that stain such as coffee and tea or at least attempt to drink through a straw. The literature says no denture cleanser, just brush with a soft brush. Simple enough to follow.

So, I got sent home with a pat on the head and a starter kit that basically contained a red and a blue case. The blue case if for your current set of trays. The red for your previous set of trays.  I was told to keep all my old trays in a baggie when they are retired. Not sure why, but I will do it.

This is pretty much what my kit looked like. The ginormous phamplet
really only had 3 or 4 pages that were in English and said everything my
dentist told me. The rest was a boat load of other languages. I didn't get stickers.

 My first 24 hours weren't too bad. I could get the trays in and out without too much difficulty. Although I have gel nails and I have found that this makes it a bit more challenging than with natural - particularly because I have some gum erosion on the molars that twinges when I "dig in" and pull out the trays. But it's not too terrible. I just need to go slow.

Now, for the straight talk - I am sure you know that Ortho is not cheap. My procedure is about $5500+ and this about average for my region. I expected for that price tag that the appliances would be flawless and have no rough or pointy edges. However, this isn't the case. By the next morning my tongue, cheek and lip experienced some hot spots and sores.  I discovered that this is a common issue, and fortunately easily remedied with a nail file, dental wax, and Orajel (aka: the home care kit).

My Invisalign Home Care Kit
Seriously, it should come with the starter kit you get from the dentist

I filed off the pointy and sharp bits on my own. Applied wax to the spot that were irritated to give them a break and supplemented with Orajel and some Tylenol. Problem solved. By day 3 I was good to go. Now I store a dental took kit in my night stand for future use and will file down edges of new trays before wear or as soon as I notice any irritation.

I am a week into my first trays and have already noticed movement. Likewise I notice that if I keep my trays out much longer than 20ish minutes, I notice the pressure when I put them back on. So, I happen to think that the 22 hour guidelines are on the liberal side rather than the conservative. My teeth are tender, but not unbearable.

The other thing I noticed was that I seem to have stinkier breath. I brush my teeth (and trays) now more than ever before (after every meal and snack), but my breath stinks and my trays are pretty rank. Tonight I am breaking the rules and will soak my trays in denture cleaner during dinner to see if I can combat the odor. I would rather not spend the next two years with the breath of 1000 dragons.

So, all in all, I feel that I'm off to a good start. I will add some photos of my trays and "before" smile so that you can better see what is happening.

Thanks for stopping by!
Cori

Update: I just tried the denture cleanser and it seemed to have done the trick! YAY! No more stinky.

Half the price of Polident and took the stink out!