Yesterday I started my journey towards straighter teeth. Many friends and family have told me that my teeth don’t seem that crooked, but 2 years of planned Invisalign would disagree with that statement. Two years. Well, technically 20 months, but orthodontic treatments somehow always seem to go longer than they first estimate.
For the 3 people that are reading this, if you do not know what Invisalign is, it is “invisible” braces. Clear and quite stiff trays that you wear for 2-3 weeks at a time that will slowly straighten your teeth. Some teeth movement is not able to be done with this treatment, but it seems like many people are candidates.
6 weeks ago I went to get my teeth scanned so they could make my treatment plan and order my trays. Seeing a 3D model of your mouth on a computer is pretty amazing. I love the fact that I did not have to get molds made, always a painful process for me. 6 weeks ago, I paid my deposit to start the treatment and set up the payment plan for the rest of the (quite high) cost.
Yesterday, I was finally able to get my first set of trays… out of 38. It was a pretty easy process, having been a previous acquaintance of whitening trays. These trays are much stiffer and tighter fitting, but they did not cause any pain… at first. The first 2 sets of trays for me will have no attachments, but in a month, I go back in to get my attachments put on. I will have 9 buttons (tooth colored protrusions to help move my teeth) on my teeth and hooks for rubber bands. Luckily, I do not need any attachments on my front 2 teeth, just 7 of the upper surrounding ones, and one lone one on the lower. I have seen pictures of people with 3 attachments on one front tooth, and it is quite visible to me. I was a little concerned that I would be in the same situation, but you can imagine my relief that I am not.

Now, about the pain. 4 hours after my appointment, the pain started. Oh man, did the pain start. I took ibuprofen and it did squat for the pain. We had pasta for dinner (not al dente, quite cooked), but it was harder and more painful to chew that I expected for the first day. Luckily, I was tired enough from R not sleeping that I was able to pass out in bed with no problem. When I woke, my teeth did not hurt at all. I did notice that my morning breath was way worse than usual. You would think that excessively brushing and flossing would make it better! After being up and about for a few hours, I noticed that my teeth were starting to hurt again.
Now, well into my second day, the pain is almost gone. Just a slight ache and tightness in a couple of my teeth. Those same teeth are feeling a slight bit loose, but I don’t know if that is all in my head or real at this point. I know it is a common side effect of the treatment. Be prepared to hear about all the nightmares I have about my teeth falling out when I remove a tray. It feels so good to remove the trays right now. Like when you are bloated and wearing too tight pants, then you undo that top button and sweet relief.
I am committed to seeing this treatment through, but right now it is very frustrating. I am at home, and R is going through a no nap phase. So, I am having a hard time distracting myself from the frustration of having the trays in and not being able to sip on my coffee all day. No more all day coffee and tea. I am dying a little inside.