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My Invisalign Experience: What to Expect When Starting Invisalign Treatment

Posted on September 4, 2018

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If you are interested in starting treatment with Invisalign, then this post is for you. I wanted to share my Invisalign clear aligners experience to those out there considering it.

After being treated with braces as a young teen with results that did not seem to stick, I decided to check out what Invisalign is all about. I spoke with Dr. Janet Stoess-Allen, orthodontist at Park Avenue Orthodontics in New York City, about whether or not I would be a good candidate for Invisalign. She said yes!

When I first came into my appointment to start Invisalign treatment, I was very excited. Dr. Stoess-Allen showed me a video that showed what my final results would be after treatment. It was amazing seeing the how beautiful my smile and teeth are going to be!

The next step was to receive my attachments (little glue bumps on the teeth that are hardly noticeable.) The way that Invisalign works is that the clear aligners with the help from attachments put gentle pressure on the teeth to move them. Her staff walked me through exactly what the process would be like and then showed me how to put on as well as remove my aligners. Overall, I was surprised at how advanced orthodontic technology had become as well as how simple it was to remove aligners to eat.

Things to Note

Invisalign clear aligners should be worn 22 hours a day for optimal results.

Like anything, there is an adjustment period to getting used to wearing Invisalign clear aligners. For the first day or two, I felt slight discomfort in my teeth, but it was very minor and easily remedied by taking an over the counter pain reliever. I expected the adjustment period to be like that of wearing braces, but to my delight, adjusting to wearing my aligners was nowhere near the pain felt when wearing braces.

When it comes to eating, you need to take your aligners out. If you’ve had braces, then you know that eating is sometimes problematic and embarrassing. I often had food stuck in my teeth after meals with braces, but with the removable clear aligners, this process is quite easy with Invisalign. I don’t feel self-conscious the way I did with braces. After meals, I just brush my teeth and my aligners, put them back in, and then I am good to go on with the day.

Additionally the aligners are exactly what Invisalign promises in that they are barely visible to anyone. I did notice a slight lisp upon receipt of my first set of aligners, but it was very small. It was also very easy to get used to speaking with the aligners in and correcting this. Within a day or two I was speaking like normal and could no longer hear that small lisp when I spoke.

Changing Aligners

With Invisalign, every week I change into a new set of clear aligners to progress teeth movement. When wearing braces, I remember very well what it was like to go in for adjustments. Often I would be drinking milkshakes and taking over-the-counter pain relievers after a visit to the orthodontist. I expected switching into a new set of aligners would feel similarly. I am pleased to report that it feels nothing like this. The first day with new aligners may feel a little tight, but it is completely manageable, easy to adjust to, and pain free!

I am now on my fourth set of aligners and am so happy with the way things have progressed. I am already seeing excellent results and cannot wait to have that perfect smile I have always wanted!

If you would like to know whether Invisalign is right for you, contact Park Avenue Orthodontics to schedule an appointment at 212-452-2777 today!