doit, doit now!

Comment by Ars

June 20, 2005 @ 7:21 pm

Had any pain? When your teeth are being nudged around in their sockets I recall (with the old fashioned braces) a day or so of tenderness before it went away. I wonder if Invisalign has the same side effects. Then again, Invisalign takes a whole year (a whole fucking year!?!) compared to the relatively short duration of braces.

Comment by Administrator

June 22, 2005 @ 3:31 pm

Yeah, there’s some tenderness. I just switched to new aligners last night and am back in pain mode. Actually, most regular braces, from what my orthodontist tells me at least, take longer than Invisalign, largely due to the fact that braces are usually used in more extreme cases where Invisalign just can’t do it. My ortho is the guy who did the original clinical trials on Invisalign, though (Dr. Robert Boyd at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco), and he said that in his practice they are trying to progressively use it on more and more advanced cases just to see how far they can push it.

Comment by Allison

March 1, 2006 @ 12:21 pm

I am on my 12th set of invisalign - out ot 17 and my jaw started hurting. It turns out that I need a root canal. Please read the following precautions so you can be aware of this during the course of your treatment. I didn’t find it until I searched for Invisalign complications. Good Luck. Also I have to say I would still recommend the Invisalign. You do get used to brushing. Allison

The use of the Invisalign System in your treatment may involve the kinds of complications or problems that can occur with conventional orthodontic treatment. Many of these problems and inconveniences can occur without orthodontic treatment, but the risk is greater to an individual wearing an orthodontic appliance. The risks associated with conventional or Invisalign System orthodontic treatment may include the following:

Periodontal disease, tooth decay or permanent marking (e.g. decalcifications) on the teeth can occur if orthodontic patients eat foods with excessive sugar and/or do not brush their teeth frequently and properly.
In some patients the length of the roots of the teeth may be shortened during orthodontic treatment. Some patients are more prone to this happening than others. Usually this does not have significant consequences, but on occasion it may become a threat to the longevity of the teeth.
The health of the bone and gums which support the teeth may be affected by orthodontic tooth movement, particularly if a condition already exists and in some rare cases where a condition does not appear to exist.
Teeth may shift their position after treatment. Faithful wearing of retainers at the end of orthodontic treatment should reduce this tendency. Throughout life, the bite can change adversely from various causes, including growth changes, playing of musical instruments and other oral habits. All of their causes may be out of the control of the orthodontist. Occasionally, problems may also occur in your temporomandibular joint (jaw joint), causing joint pain, headaches or ear problems.
For many patients, orthodontic treatment temporarily affects their speech and they may experience a lisp, although any speech impediment caused by the aligners usually disappears within a few days.
A tooth may have been previously traumatized or may have fillings that can cause tooth nerve damage. Orthodontic tooth movement may on occasion aggravate this condition and in rare instances may lead to the need for root canal treatment and caps (crowns).
Orthodontic appliances may be accidentally swallowed or aspirated, or may irritate or damage oral tissues (however, there is no greater risk with the aligners than with other appliances, such as dentures or orthodontic retainers). The gums, cheeks and lips may be scratched or irritated by blows to the mouth. Post-adjustment tenderness (or in the case of the Invisalign System, tenderness experienced after switching to the next aligner in the series) should be expected and the period of tenderness or sensitivity varies with each patient and the procedure performed.
Oral surgery (e.g. tooth extraction) may be necessary in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, especially to correct crowding or severe jaw imbalances. If such surgeries are necessary, risks associated with treatment and anesthesia should be discussed with the oral surgeon.
Atypical formation of teeth may limit the ability to achieve the desired result.
It may take longer than expected to complete treatment. Excessive or deficient bone growth, poor cooperation in wearing the appliance the required number of hours per day, not using the aligners as indicated, lost or broken appliances, and missed appointments can lengthen the treatment time and affect the quality of the end results or the ability to achieve the desired results.
General medical conditions can affect orthodontic treatment. You should advise your orthodontist of any medical conditions you have.

Comment by Ali

April 4, 2006 @ 10:48 am

Is there a difference between Invisalign & orthoclear?

Comment by Jose Ayayaya Jr.

June 6, 2006 @ 12:09 pm

I am on set number 6 out of 23 for the top and 22 for the bottom. I am experiencing very little pain, if that. Slight pressure at most and disappears within a day or two. Then it’s like having mouthguards on for two weeks, until you change the aligners again. I can only hope that I don’t experience any complications during my treatment which is about a year long.

Comment by Tammy

December 17, 2006 @ 7:33 am

How long doe the effects last after invisaling treatment? I would hate to put out that kind of money to only have my teeth reposition in 5 years.

Comment by Nick Hodulik

December 17, 2006 @ 12:49 pm

You get a retainer at the end of treatment that you are supposed to wear for 5-6 months to “set” your teeth, and then after that you are supposed to wear the retainer at night. If you continue to do this properly you will have straight teeth essentially forever, AFAIK.

Comment by K

February 14, 2007 @ 1:04 pm

I just started my Invisalign treatment last week. My estimated treatment time is 1 year. I have to say that I was expecting to feel pain, or discomfort during the first couple of days because of all the reviews I have been reading — however, I have had none of that. I do feel a sort of “tenderness” when I remove them — but that quickly goes away after a couple of minutes. Maybe it’s because it’s the first aligner, and maybe those are specifically made to get you used to the feel. I don’t know — maybe the 2nd aligner will be tighter (i hope not) Whatever it is, I am happy for now.

My only “negative” is that my speech has been impaired. I am speaking with a lisp (and can’t pronounce words that begin with an “f” very well) with the aligner in and that really bothers me. I speak for an audience every day so it’s a big deal to me. Like I stated earlier, I have been wearing these for a week already, and I still speak with the lisp so that whole “you will only lisp for 3 or 4 days” is untrue for me. I hope I don’t speak like this for the whole year.

Other than that minor “negative” I LOVE my invisaligns — no one can tell I have them in and I feel no pain at all. The only thing I had to get used to was taking them out — that can be tricky until you get the hang of it.

PS - that list of complications is clearly stated when you sign the contract at the dentists office — the only thing is, it usually is on the form you sign on the day you pick your first set up, so by then it’s too late to cancel. I seriously hope I don’t have any of those complications. Good luck to you all!

Comment by anthony

February 23, 2007 @ 4:00 pm

can you use invsalign if you have to have 2 teeth pulled on top and bottom

Comment by J.P.

June 9, 2007 @ 5:33 pm

I am currently enjoying the lovely experience of wearing Invisalign, and am anxiously awaiting a final decree. Is the Efferdent doing damage really because I’m about to start dunking mine in it, just because I don’t have a hundred bucks sitting around.

Comment by Osairis

October 14, 2007 @ 4:02 pm

I´m searching form information and comparing braces and invisaling. I saw this last option on a TV comertial so I was wondering money wise what is the difference, can someone tell me an aproximate of the cost for invisaling treatment.

Comment by Maria

February 29, 2008 @ 3:35 pm

I’ve been wearing Invisalign for 3 weeks out of 36 now. Since I’ve started, I’ve had a crown fall out and now a portion of a filling. My jaw is popping as well. Clearly this is pretty traumatic on the mouth. But, I’m going to continue. Hopefully, I can continue to repair issues along the way. Good luck!

Comment by Carla

April 27, 2008 @ 12:31 am

I went 3 aligners through a set of 10 and had to walk away from it. Invisalign botched the treatment (uh-whoops, “technician error”…nice). Now speech is a struggle for me (lost the “f’s” for starters) and the arch expansion causes headaches and a host of other problems.

That was a year and a half ago - and I’m still dealing with it. Another orthodontist is helping me work with Invisalign to try and turn this ordeal around. I’m scared to death to put these things back in my mouth, but I don’t have a choice. What was supposed to take 4 months is taking years, and at that, I still don’t know if the damage can be reversed. I’m not a fan.