I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since my initial Invisalign consultation! Let me give you a little update from then and now and share some photos of my progress with you as well.
Up to my last visit with my orthodontist, {about 3 months ago} I was putting a new tray in each week, and was set for 51 trays. At that appointment we talked about one of my front incisors not coming down as much as we all wanted, and being a little stubborn. In order to give that tooth more time to catch up to the rest of my teeth we agreed that I should wear my aligner trays for 10-12 days instead of 7 and it has made a world of difference. I see the tooth turning and am also using cotton swabs provided by my orthodontist to make sure that my aligners are fit as tightly as possible to enhance the movement of my teeth as well.
So I am currently on tray 34 out of 51 for both my upper and lower. Here are my side by side photos, see if you notice the difference:
and a close up {I apologize for the blurriness}:
Basically the unruly incisor on your left {my actual right} is coming down, but the biggest change I notice is that my teeth aren’t caving in on the sides, rather forming a nice curve making my smile front and center.
It’s funny, but I honestly didn’t see this BIG of a difference until just now, putting the progress pictures together. It’s pretty incredible the change that I didn’t even notice took place.
As far as maintenance and getting my aligners in and out, it’s nothing these days. The funny thing is that when I first got my attachments and put the aligners on I thought to myself {as many have stated in videos or blog posts} that I would NEVER be able to get them on and off, and while initially things like cleaning and eating can be a little frustrating it really does become second nature and before you know it, I’ll be completed with my program and I’ll probably be looking at pictures from now till completion and realizing how much better my smile has improved because of Invisalign.
This year I’m excited to hopefully wrap up my treatment, although I’ll honestly wear my aligners as long as I need to to make sure I have the best smile possible.
Are you considering Invisalign for yourself or your child?? Feel free to ask me any questions here. Happy New Year and here’s to a better smile and feeling great about it!
For more information straight from Invisalign visit their website Invisalign.com and check them out on Facebook and Twitter.
*I am a member of the Invisalign Mom Board, I receive complimentary Invisalign treatment, but am posting my own, personal opinions.
Looks great!
I do have a question. I had braces back in high school and some of my teeth have shifted slightly so I’ve thought about trying to tweak that using invisalign.
How do you keep the trays securely in? Does the dentist put some kind of attachments on some of your teeth so the trays will ‘snap’ into place? I had brackets that went around my back molars when I had metal ones, so I was curious how these worked.
Thanks!
Hi Kate,
Thanks for reading and the great question. In my first post about my actual treatment I show my photos of the impressions of my teeth that the orthodontist made. Some orthodontist use the method I received and others use a very high tech imaging machine {made by Align technologies} to capture teeth impressions. Typically when one gets their first few sets of trays there are no attachments, I think mostly to get used to the trays and to learn how to snap them into place, think night guard or mouth guard for any sports you may have used them for.
I was very lucky to be able to go to Align Headquarters and see all of the work that goes into each individual tray and they are made to fit your teeth perfectly and precisely. Of course if there are teeth that need to be rotated, Align Technologies has made, and continues to make advances in technologies, which of course includes the use of attachments. So basically if you need attachments, your aligner trays will be fitted for those as well.
Hope this helps answer your question!!
I think my daughter will be needing a visit to the orthodontist in the next few years. I would love to explore this as an option for her.
That is so cool!
I can definitely see the progress – your teeth (and smile) look great! I wish these had been available when I was a kid – so much better than the braces I had to wear.
I do see a difference! My bottom teeth have always been crooked. My mom could never afford braces, so I never got them. I’d love to try invislign, I bet it would give me more confidence too.
Annie, Invisalign would definitely be a better option for you, because there are less office visits than regular braces so you won’t have to find a sitter for the kids as often.
Invisalign is definitely on my list of things to do just as soon as I can afford it!
You look awesome.
Thanks Felicia! My orthodontist has payment plans, not sure if that works out for you but definitely worth talking to them about.
I have been thinking about using invisalign. But haven’t known anyone who has used it. I am glad I have found your blog! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
Looks Great! I’ve Heard So Many Wonderful Things About Invisalign !:)
Wow it looks great. I always thought it didnt work that well
Looks good! I would consider this for my son
How much longer do you have with Invisalign?
I have about 13 more trays left so around 4.5 more months or so, if my teeth keep progressing at the same rate.
Hi I’m a 15 year old with invisalign, absolutely love them
okay it can be annoying when you have to plan when you eat around them, but that is really the only downfall! In school no-one has noticed unless I tell them! I am so happy with my teeth now, I have to wear my retainers for the next 5 months to keep them in place until i wear them every night for the rest of my life…totally worth it I am so much more confident now! Congrats on your teeth they look perfect 
Hey Amy,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience!!! Awesome that you are more confident and thanks for the compliments! The biggest thing I hear from adults is that they are needing braces again because they didn’t wear their retainers, so make sure you wear yours