Invisalign Pain
Tip for those of you considering Invisalign: if you do decide to go ahead and get them, heed the advice about wearing them for 22 hours a day. In general I have been really good about wearing my aligners, but whilst going out during Pride and in Vegas I decided that it was easier to just take them out and leave them at home, because during that time I would be eating and drinking various things that were a.) not clear and b.) not good for me. The sum total of the time I didn’t wear the aligners was probably a couple of days. By “a couple of days,” I literally mean “a couple of days” — I probably didn’t wear them for around 48 total hours during my two-week cycle.
So of course when I put in my new pair of aligners on Tuesday I was and still am in much more pain than in either of the previous two aligner switches. Each set of aligners is a bit jarring to your teeth, much like an orthodontist tightening normal braces. If you don’t give your teeth enough time in one set of aligners, the next set will be more painful. This is of course common sense, but I want to give a very visceral example to people.
It hurts. Think before you yank them out for longer than you have to.
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Did you get to see the Cirque du Soleil Zumanity show while you were in Vegas? Was it hot or just, y’know, stupid? And besides the gambling, hookers, and quickie wedding chapels, is there anything else to do in Vegas (except the neon boneyard, of course, which is way cool)?
I didn’t see it this time, but I saw it in January when I was there for CES/InterNext/AVN (when it SNOWED in Vegas, absolutely evil). It was great. Highly recommended, in fact. There are a lot of things to do in Vegas &mdash the food is awesome, there is great shopping, and when the weather is nice the pools at the Hard Rock and the Mandalay Bay are a lot of fun. Peoplewatching there is just an barrel of laughs. Taking tours of all of the casinos, to see both the over-the-top crap and the surprisingly cool stuff, is fun, too. There are helicopter rides. There’s also the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead nearby (I’m going to write about my obsession with waterworks at a later time). Yeah, you can find a lot to do in Vegas that doesn’t involve the Holy Trinity of Cheese (as you mentioned, gambling, hookers, and quickie wedding chapels).
Today is my first day with the invisalign trays in my mouth and I am in so much pain. I want to take them out now but I have spent 6,000 dollars on them. Please, what can I do to ease this pain?
Christina – this is my 3rd day with my Invisalign aligners and like you, I’m in a lot of pain. Try to resist taking them out. I find that Motrin helps as does rubbing them with my fingers (almost like massaging my gums). I also keep looking at the alignment of my teeth in Tray no. 2 (i.e., the next set in my kit), and when I see how straight they’re going to be even at this early stage, that’s an incentive for me to keep these painful aligners in my mouth. Best of luck to you! Glad to know I’m not alone …
I’m on tray 6 of 14 on the upper, 6 of 17 on the lower.. I’ve learned that it’s best to change the trays on a Friday night with a couple Tylonel or whatever you take for pain.. It makes it easier to handle, and after a few trays, it doesn’t really bother you too much. The first tray is so much more uncomfortable than any others because it’s the one that is loosening your teeth, but after about 3 days of that one, you’ll be ok. Wear them as often as possible!! Don’t take them out unless you absolutley have to! I leave mine in as much as possible and I’ve seen tremendous movement so far! Good luck!
Thanks Beth,
that’s a relief to know it gets better after the first tray. I am on day 3 and was extremely frustrated at the discomfort (worse than having an obvious injury cos u want to pull the trays out). I softened the pain with lots of alcohol, though i don’t know if this is the best idea – i couldn’t think of anything else and don’t have much confidence in pain killers doing anything for the frustration and irritation. God, I hope it gets a lot better than the first 2 or 3 days, cos it’s been terrible (and I am not a wuss with pain!!!). I have stuck to the tast religiously though with max 2 hours a day out of mouth. I’ve got good willpower but if the pain was like the first 2 days constantly i couldn’t do it ! Any other comments appreciated from those who have been through it. Thanks all.
What I find hard to take is the “no cancellation policy” and that all of the cost is paid by me within the first six months. Yes there’s financing available, but I don’t need more interest charges, thank you.
The pain begins even before the first tray arrives.
This is my first day with the aligners and they don’t hurt at all. I feel a little pressure and when I take them off, I feel it more. I love these things. I know tomorrow morning will be sore but for now, these things are amazing. To liken it, it feels like I am wearing a back brace. When you take the brace off, there is a void. This is so easy. Everyone can do it!
It’s awesome to be able to read other people’s invisalign stories! I’m just on day 2 after a year and 10 months of metal braces. I’m in so much pain, they have been totally rubbing along my tongue which is making me drool like crazy! Ahhh!!! But worse then the pain and drooling is they make me gag anytime my teeth close together or if I smile wide enough which I’m doing a lot after wearing metal braces for so long. My question is has anyone else had these same problems and if so how long does it last?
♥ Lindsay
Its my third day on invisalign, it hurt a lot.. but then I applied Oragel on the gums and sides and the pain just vanished away. its not so bad now.
I just got mine today and at first they were fine but now its horribly painful not the worst pain ever but pretty bad its more iritating than painful but is there any way to fix that pain ive heard oragel icecream ice and pain med over the counter and prescription whats the best way?