Monday, 25 February 2013

Tray Three

I’m a third of the way through my second set of trays, and everything is going really well. The trays fit perfectly, but they are a little harder to pull in and out of my mouth due to the new attachments, especially the two on my front tooth. I have to tell myself “You will not pull your own teeth out!” and yank! It’s only painful for the first day, I don’t mind because I know they are working! I’m still disappointed that I still have seven trays left, but hopefully after that I will be done. I can’t wait to get the attachments off and whiten my teeth! That will be very exciting. I had an appointment with my Orthodontist about two and a half weeks ago, and he is really happy with the progress, everything is on track. He mentioned that I wouldn’t be able to visibly see much change in the next couple of months, as these trays are more for moving my back teeth, to properly align my bite. As you can see in the pictures, my bottom tooth still needs quite a bit of movement, two of the teeth on my top row still need to move slightly and (not seen in the pictures, obviously) but my bite is still off. It is definitely second nature to wear the trays; I don’t feel the difference between wearing them and not wearing them. I also drink a lot more water now than I ever used to, drinking anything else with the trays in is a big no-no and because I wear them all day at my desk at work, I just drink water. (I’m glad I was never addicted to coffee!)


I had an appointment with my hygienist two weeks ago (Yes, I basically live at the dentist office now). They highly recommend a basic cleaning every three months while using Invisalign as bacteria can grow faster while you wear them (especially if you wear them without brushing!). I got the all clear, no cavities, no potential cavities and my gums are healthy. The only difference is that I have sensitive teeth and gums now, because of the movement from the teeth, which I was told is very normal. I can’t have cold beverages without using a straw, I definitely can’t bite into ice cream and I have to use sensitive toothpaste, certainly not a big deal!

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Tray One...

I went to my ortho appointment on January 8th, and Dr. Sharma confirmed what I feared... I needed new trays. He wasn’t sure how many, but he took the molds and said I would get a call in a couple of weeks, to fit them in. He was very proud at how far my teeth have come since I first saw him 8 months ago. He took some new pictures and showed me the before and after, it was incredible! I’m still feeling a little disappointed to have to stop my procedure and wait a couple of weeks for new sets of trays but what’s another month when I’ll have beautiful teeth for a lifetime right?

I got my new trays on Thursday, January 24th. I have 10 trays in this next set, which means another FIVE months. I was shocked, considering how good my teeth are looking. I also got three new attachments, two on my front tooth and one on my lower back tooth. They aren’t visible, and I got used to them very quickly (although it reminded me of how awful it is at the start and how much I really don’t notice my attachments anymore!) The new trays fit wonderfully, no pain whatsoever, and it was nice to feel like I was back on track after a short diversion.

I only got one set of trays as my Orthodontist was away on vacation when I went for my appointment on January 24th, so I have another appointment on February 7th to talk to him and just make sure everything is on track.

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

Tray Seventeen

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! I’m on my last tray for my bottom teeth, and I only have 7 left for my top teeth. Unfortunately at my last appointment, at the end of November, my Orthodontist informed me that my teeth aren’t moving the way the trays predicted they would move. The trays have a small gap between the tray and the tooth, and no matter how much I use my chewies, they just don’t fit on how they should do. My teeth are still moving wonderfully, but not quite as much as the trays were molded. This means at my next appointment, on January 8th, I may have to get new molds, meaning I will be set back a month or so, while getting new sets of trays. I will definitely need more trays for my bottom teeth, as I still have two teeth that aren’t straight. It is disheartening thinking that I may be set back a month or more while I get new trays, but my teeth are looking fantastic and they have come so far. I will keep you informed!

Other than that, everything is going really well. I was on vacation for two weeks at the beginning of December, with my boyfriend and his family. We had an amazing time in the British Virgin Islands, and I wore my trays as much as possible, it is very hard while on vacation!

I will update after my next appointment!

The trays with a gap!


A picture from the British Virgin Islands;
My teeth are looking better and better!
 

Monday, 29 October 2012

Tray Twelve

Sorry I haven’t written in awhile! I cannot believe I am now on Tray 12 (changing to Tray 13 tomorrow!) Everything is still going great! I was on vacation from October 9th until October 15th (My birthday ). My boyfriend and I went to Mexico for a week! It was an amazing vacation, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the weather was beautiful! I had a dentist appointment for new trays, a check-up, and some new x-rays on the 16th. Not going to lie, I was not looking forward to it; normally I am very excited to see my orthodontist, hear that everything is going great, and get some new trays! But this time, I was actually quite worried. While I was on vacation I only wore my trays at night. I usually abide by the recommendations of wearing the trays for 22 hours (or close to that) but while on vacation I couldn’t seem to remember to carry them, and I was constantly eating, getting lots of drinks, and I hate wearing them without brushing my teeth! Basically for a straight week, I only wore them at night. I was petrified I would be scolded for not wearing my trays and my next ones wouldn’t fit or be very painful!

Thankfully, when I confessed my sins to my Ortho he completely understood and said that’s fine once in awhile. He told me if I can’t get my next set of trays in, then I will take them home, continue to wear my old ones for a few more days and keep trying the new ones. Simple! Fortunately my new trays fit, a little more tight and painful than usual, but it doesn’t matter because they fit! I also got screened for bacteria growth (because while wearing the trays your teeth can have a tendency for bacteria growth, causing cavities and gum disease) I also got checked for cavities or potential cavities, good news: my bacteria growth is very low, no cavities, and no potential for cavities. My Ortho actually said I have a very boring mouth! (I was assured this is a good thing...)

I also wanted to point out the fact that before I got my Invisalign trays I was wearing down my teeth due to my nightly grinding (which in most cases was so loud it woke my boyfriend who then shook me awake because it was such an awful sound...) Since wearing my Invisalign, obviously I haven’t been damaging my teeth because the trays stop my teeth from actually grinding together. But I have noticed that I don’t wake up with jaw pain or headaches as often anymore. My Ortho informed me that could be thanks to Invisalign which has changed my bite pattern dramatically; causing my jaw to not be as tense at night, which could be minimizing my grinding. Another plus!!
I have definitely become more relaxed about wearing my trays, popping them in and out without worry, and I find them very comfortable. Even when I change my trays I can usually take them out the next evening for dinner with minimal pain (during the first day I still stick with smoothies, it’s just easier). I still change my trays before bed so I can sleep through most of the initial pain.

I have read in some reviews that Invisalign ruins your social life and personal relationships, but I have to completely disagree. I understand that each person has their own experience with Invisalign, and some are better than others, but for myself I am doing everything now that I always have. If I want to go to the pub or a restaurant with friends and drink and have appetizers, I do. Yes I understand popping your trays out to eat is a minor inconvenience but having the ability to be able to do that and eat whatever you want, I think trumps that minor inconvenience ten times over. Most of the time it has become a joke with everyone saying, “Oh wait Lindsey has to take her teeth out!”

I only have four more sets of trays for my bottom teeth and 11 for more upper. The time is flying by.

Tuesday, 11 September 2012

Tray Nine

Over half way through my bottom teeth and only 15 left for the top! Everything is going great!!