Invisalign®

For most of us (particularly those who can recall their teenage years being marred by a distinctly metallic smile) the thought of having braces sends a shiver down the spine. Invisalign®, however, is just as effective as the traditional metal brace whilst being nearly invisible and also removable for when you are eating or brushing. The system is a set of plastic aligners that gradually straighten your teeth, bypassing much of the discomfort and inconvenience normally associated with orthodontic treatments.

If one of our qualified JHA dentists make a decision on whether the Invisalign® treatment is an appropriate option for you (following a preliminary examination) an impression of your teeth and a proposed schedule of treatment is sent to Invisalign®. The company then uses its advanced 3-D computer technology to produce sets of custom-made aligners that you wear in sequence.

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MY INVISALIGN® DIARY
By Deborah Barker

I have always been self-conscious about the gaps in my upper front teeth and tried conventional braces when I was a teenager which did not work out for me as they were uncomfortable and unsightly (making me feel more self-conscious). When I heard about Invisalign® I thought – this is the answer to my prayers! Here is an account of my experience from my first consultation to the final result....

Initial consultations
During my first consultation at The North Wales Dental Clinic and Implant Centre the Orthodontist Eric De Wet explained in detail what I could expect from the treatment and showed me examples of how other people have benefitted from this technology. I had assumed that I would just need aligners for the upper arch of teeth but, in fact, it was suggested that lower arch aligners would be necessary to ensure that my ‘bite’ would comply with the movement of the upper teeth. Lower aligners would also close the small gap in my lower teeth, which was not my primary concern, but having thought about it, I decided to go for the full treatment.

Impressions and photographs of my mouth were taken in order to make the first set of aligners. It takes a few weeks for the lab to assess what is possible to achieve with your case and to prepare the first set.

A week or so later, I was called in to view the results from the lab’s initial analysis. Eric showed me a computer scale model of my teeth “before” and “after” completion of treatment. At this point I was completely blown away by what is possible with Invisalign® and started to get really excited about my future new smile.

First appointment – 12 August 2009
My new aligners have arrived! At my first appointment it was necessary to prepare my teeth by applying small attachments to the surface which enable the aligners to grip onto the teeth to help them work. These attachments are tooth coloured and are removed at the end of treatment and their application is totally painless. They did feel strange at first when I ran my tongue along them but I’m sure I will get used to them over time. The aligners were then fitted onto my teeth and the after-care procedure was explained. I left the surgery on a real high.

Perhaps one downside of wearing aligners is that you can’t wear them whilst eating – on the other hand, it is a good weight loss aid since you can’t snack between meals!

Day one – 13th August 2009
Taking my aligners out for the first time was a bit of a struggle...it would have been helpful to have a hook (crochet hook?) of some kind to ease them off my teeth. However, I am getting more adept at putting them in and taking them out now – it just takes a bit of getting used to! My teeth feel a bit ‘tight’ from the pressure of the aligners on them and I am aware of them in my mouth, although this is getting less so as the day progresses. I am talking with a very slight lisp. Sleeping with the aligners in is not a problem – I just need to make sure that when I take them out that I put them in their case, otherwise, with my chronic short sightedness they could easily get lost...

Day two – 14th August 2009
I am very aware of the aligners in my mouth and the pressure on my teeth. One of the attachments fell off when I bit into a sandwich, which was a bit alarming! Still lisping a bit. Not the best day today....it feels like a long journey ahead of me.

End of first week
Getting my aligners in and out is a doddle now. I am also getting used to the feel of them and not lisping any more. The attachment which fell off was quickly and easily repaired. Cleaning the teeth at every meal and also keeping the aligners clean is very important. I’m noticing that it is more comfortable for my teeth to have my aligners in rather than out. My lips seem a bit drier than usual and I am thirstier for water.

Second appointment – 26th August 2009
The aligner in the top arch developed a crack due to wear and tear and the edges became a bit sharp nearing the end of the week. The aligners are becoming more of a habit now – I am drinking less tea during the day and quenching my thirst with water, which can only be a good thing. Forgot to take my case to the second appointment but Eric is going to hang on to my next set until next time. Both Eric and Anthea noticed that my teeth have moved (I haven’t seen any change yet). The spaces between my teeth were shaved slightly with a sort of metal rasp – this did feel a bit weird but didn’t actually hurt. The new aligners were fitted and felt a lot thicker in texture, with more pressure being felt on my teeth – which I expected to feel. I’m sure I won’t take so long getting used to this set as first time round.

27th August 2009
Aligners don’t feel as bad as the first time around and the thicker material feels more comfortable. A bit of a struggle initially getting them in and out but putting the more difficult side in first helps. Going out socially to eat means that I have to disappear before and after the meal and not forget that I have the aligners in when offered a cup of tea, but I can do this – it will be worth it to have a better smile!

4th September 2009
I’ve had a really bad cold this week and have found that I am more conscious of the aligners in my mouth, especially when I cough and blow my nose, so have felt a bit miserable.

9th September 2009
New aligners today, which feel much tighter. The fortnight between each set is passing quickly. I’m getting used to having a bigger breakfast and not snacking mid morning, which is maintaining my weight – hurrah!

11th September 2009
Looked in the mirror this morning and saw a huge difference. I can no longer push my tongue sideways between the upper front teeth gap and the bottom gap is closing.

23rd September 2009
My whole bite feels like it has changed and my teeth are definitely on the move. New tighter aligners today and I had more ‘teeth shaving’ today, which felt a bit sensitive but was over in a matter of minutes. After the next set of aligners, I will be half way through my treatment!

1st October 2009
Whilst wearing the aligners I’ve become very aware of the times when I tense my jaw and also that I occasionally suck on the aligners when concentrating. I’m wondering if the small piece of flesh between my top front teeth (papillae?) will move as my teeth keep closing together or if I will have to have it reduced in some way.

7th October 2009
New aligners and teeth ‘shaved’ again today. Teeth are still on the move...

12th October 2009
Hygiene appointment. Emma stressed the need to keep on top of my hygiene whilst wearing the aligners and has prescribed some different coloured Tepe brushes now that all the spaces in my teeth are changing size.

19th October 2009
Not a good day, small ulcer formed on tongue which made wearing aligners very uncomfortable. Took a Rinstead pastille before bed and my mouth felt better by the morning.

21st October 2009
New aligners today, no ‘shaving’ necessary. Bottom gap virtually closed. Can’t wait for the top arch gap to catch up. People have asked me if I will miss my ‘lucky’ gap in my top teeth and have commented that it is part of my character. I think I will feel better and smile more when my teeth are looking better – even though it has taken 40 years to get there!

2nd November 2009
The gap in the bottom arch has closed up totally and the top teeth are touching at the base. Only three more aligners to wear and six weeks to go! This means that I will have a new smile in the New Year. Eric also explained that you can have ongoing retainer aligners once the treatment has finished checking that the teeth have not moved back to their old position.

30th December 2009
Front teeth just have a very small gap to go.

6th January 2010
One more week of aligners to go! No sensitivity has been experienced and only another few days to get the results. I have the option of another aligner after this one to finally close the front teeth gap (Eric has suggested that the composite on my right front tooth is filed to make the teeth look the same shape). I’m nearly there!

13th January 2010
Impressions taken for the final aligner and composite on my right front tooth was filed to improve its shape.

26th January 2010
Waiting for my final aligners to arrive.... this is the worst part.... I’m so close to a final result. People are amazed at how my teeth have changed when I show them.

30th March 2010
Only two months to go! The last few aligners are in progress for the upper teeth. I am just wearing the lower aligner at night. The gap is closing up and I’m hoping for a really good result.

7th June 2010
Final aligners finished. My teeth look fantastic – no more gaps! A metal bar has been attached to the back of the front teeth to keep them in place. Impressions have been taken for some permanent aligners which I will just wear at night.

10th June 2010
Metal bar has become detached on one side. Went back to see Eric who fixed it for me. Getting more used to the bar and feels strange not wearing my aligners during the day.

30th June 2010
Final aligners have arrived. They are made of a thicker material than the other aligners. I will just wear them at night for three months and then ad hoc thereafter to ensure the teeth don’t move back. Will see Eric to check on my teeth at regular intervals.

1st July 2010
That’s it. Treatment finished and I am delighted with the result!

January 2011
Six months later and my teeth are still perfect. I wear the permanent aligners a couple of times per week to ensure that the teeth don’t move back. I am so used to my new smile now that it is hard to imagine life with my gaps before.