Week #17

So Close, Yet So Far!

Just switched into my set #17 out of 20.

1 More Month!!

I should be finished on March 22nd officially! (It maybe sooner depending on how my over corrections go, but that's the last day for sure!)

So I wanted to write a bit of about the experience, a few notes that I wish people had told be before I got the Invisalign. Granted, my treatment was a bit different than others since I used the Acceledent, so I'm not sure if people had the same issues that I did.

         Loose Teeth
After a few aligners, my teeth got very loose. Especially the ones that needed to move a lot. Sometimes I was worried by eating, and even taking the aligners in and out could cause the tooth to be lost. My bottom right lateral incisor and my top left middle incisor were extremely loose. Not sure if this was the case with everyone, but something I wish I was going to be aware of.

        Food Restrictions
Okay, so when you get aligners, you're always told you can eat whatever you want. Some things, however, were difficult to eat. My top front teeth were sore for quite a bit, and I couldn't (and still can't) "rip" anything with my front teeth. Biting into apples, chewing Bit O'Honeys, and pizza crust still cause pain and I definitely have a hard time with them. I'm hoping that once I'm out of the moving aligners and using my retainers I should be okay.

       Soreness
I knew that I'd have a bit of pain (my teeth are moving after all), but I wasn't prepared for all the pain and soreness I would have. Day ONE (which I did write about) was definitely the worst of everything. All the IPR, attachments and new appliances in my mouth at once were not a fun experience, and I was definitely not prepared. After that major pain diminished, every so often I'd have discomfort, either with a new aligner moving the teeth, or cutting into the gums/inside of lip/roof of mouth/tongue, or with the rubber bands pulling on my molar. I guess I knew pain was coming, but wasn't sure where and when it would present itself. I never had braces as a kid, so this was all very new to me.

      IPR
I had no idea this was something I needed done, let a long on a repetitive basis. Inter-proximal reduction is shaving in between certain teeth to help with moving/rotation of that specific tooth. It's great to help things speed up, but definitely an uncomfortable experience. Along with between the teeth, shaving of the tops (edges) to make everything look flush and even is not a pleasant experience either.

Don't get me wrong, this is all completely worth it in the end. My teeth are mostly in their correct spots and I wouldn't trade it. I've looked back at old pictures with my smile, and noticed a complete difference. I never thought 1 tooth really would make a change, but boy did it!

I just wish I knew a few more tidbits prior to going in - so hopefully my experience can help someone else!

I probably won't check back in until I'm completely finished - so I'll let you know how everything turns out in 1 month! Can't wait :)