Braces (invisalign)

selement

persa wrote: »

I was told that people didn't always have a wire put in previously (whether after invisalign or regular braces) and because they didn't bother to wear plastic retainers nightly, their teeth have all moved back now. So it wasn't best practice previously, but it is now because most patients lie.

How long ago did you have the treatment and do you feel your teeth are still straight? I think like you I'm happy with the compromise of nightly retainers, but I just don't want to wear a wire.

Whatever I do, I'm a bit unhappy at the lack of aftercare. Even if I have the blasted wire put in, as soon as the treatment is complete, I get nothing. I mean, I don't mind paying for replacement nightly retainers etc, that sounds reasonable, but if I think there's a problem with my teeth, I get nothing. And what happens if invisalign go bust? Can someone else make me a plastic retainer?

I think you've thought about this more than I did. My treatment finished in August. I was a little naughty and probably wore my retainers for less than 22 hours a day but they still moved. I now wear the retainers most nights, I tend to not if I'm drunk or extremely tired. I have so far been good at remembering to take it on holiday etc. They still look the same to me! On the times I've left if a couple nights I notice the retainer is tighter but it feels normal by morning.

I don't really know what I'll do when I need replacements, I hadn't thought that far ahead! You guys reckon any dentist can do it?? I wonde rhow much it'll cost... I'm usually an NHS patient except for invisalign and I paid that on finance over a year :S

brook2jack

Most dentists will charge £35 to £45 per retainer.

rainbowfairydust

I had fixed braces fitted back in March. I did look into having invisalign but due to how my teeth are i was advised they wouldnt work, and If i am being honest with myself i wouldn't wear a retainer ( just because the option would "lie with me") so for me its best that i am wearing fitted "train tracks".

They were extremely uncomfortable to start with but as time has passed they are more a nuisance than anything. I lived on a liquid diet for a week, and then slowly introduced solid food back into my diet. I even eat crusty bread now (albeit cut up into teeny pieces )

With regards to the wires - i have both top & bottom braces. The bottom are metal and the tops are actually clear - i have had numerous people tell me they didnt actually notice i had braces in until i pointed them out. In any case for me - its a 12 months of looking like i am a teenager:o versus the rest of my life having nice straight teeth.

Again they are a pain to start with - the first few days were awful. I literally wanted to rip them from my mouth and i HATED the wire (had to have 2 teeth out at the top) - and all i could feel was the wire digging in my gum . But again as time has passed this has subsided and i am no longer bothered/thinking about the little grooves in my gum where the wire sits. It sounds awful when reading that back but its really , really not. My mouth has just got used to it being there i guess.

I am expecting my fitted braces to be on for a year, and then i will wear a retainer at night. I think for the rest of my life? I am not actually sure - I will check this next week at my appointment.

I suppose when all said & done it all depends on your mouth, and what your orthodontist thinks is the best treatment. Good luck if you do decide to get braces.

rainbowfairydust

j.e.j. wrote: »

I can imagine having a wire attached permanently to the back of your front teeth will make you talk with a 'lithp' for the rest of your life.

.

i worried about this prior to having mine on - i didnt get any lisp or havent developed one either.

rainbowfairydust

persa wrote: »

My hygienist agrees that it will make my teeth harder to clean. Although with that said, he doesn't think it will make it impossible to clean. I just feel like it's correcting one problem (slightly wonky teeth) and creating a brand new one (build up of plaque and ugly wire).


.

I was advised by hygienst, dentist and the ortho that as long i cleaned my teeth properly ( ie brush for 2 mins , floss, and then mouthwash) then all should be fine. I brush mine 3 times a day now - morning, after lunch & then before bed (although lunch time clean is just a brush/floss)

I have also decided ( my own decision and certainly not a suggestion by anyone else) that i will pay extra for a deep clean every 3/4 months . I cant afford it really but i am not spending all this time, effort and money for my teeth to be manky looking at the end of the process. It is a pain spending 5 minutes faffing around with my mouth. I used to brush, floss & go but since i had them fitted i am extra pedantic about all areas of my mouth. . I think this is probably just me and my teeth paranoia though

pirateyqueen

rainbowfairydust wrote: »

I am expecting my fitted braces to be on for a year, and then i will wear a retainer at night. I think for the rest of my life? I am not actually sure - I will check this next week at my appointment.

I've actually just got back from the orthodontist, where they said that you need to wear the retainer as long as you want your teeth to remain straight. I.E. for the rest of your life if you always want straight teeth! When I was a teenager I had braces and after I had the retainer the orthodontist told me that over the months I should slowly phase it out. My teeth are now right back where they were at the beginning so all that work was done for nothing.