Technicalities

November 30, 2006

It's All In the Mouth

As a child I should have had braces. Unfortunately my parents couldn't afford it and as the dentist said my teeth weren't that bad, they skipped me and got braces for my sister because hers were much worse. (her teeth were straight in front but tended to a big overbite - so I guess they were right)

In anycase, after all these years I finally have the time and money to get these teeth (which have gotten progressively out of kilter - especially in the back of my mouth) pushed into some semblance of straightness.

Yesterday I got my first installment of Invisiline braces. These are the clear plastic ones that aren't easily seen. We'll see how it goes. So far there is only a little soreness, mostly when I remove the bottom set to eat. This morning I figured out how to take them out without causing pain... so far so good. There's a little rubbing from some of the edges in a few places - but nothing causing major issues.

Supposedly, seven months from now, the teeth should be aligned and I should only need to wear these things 3 nights a week to keep everything in place. The real test here will be that I can't eat or drink (well only water) with these things in my mouth, I'm supposed to wear them 22 hours a day, and I have to brush and floss before putting them back on after eating.

Good thing I don't go out much.

After all these years, I wonder what it will look like to have my front teeth not overlap slightly. Hmmmm...

Posted by: Teresa in Life Stuff at 08:47 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 276 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I'd been so interested in the Invisaligns, well, before my bike accident that made braces a moot point. The fact you're only having minor discomfort is pretty amazing. When my daughter got her braces a couple of years ago, she was in agony for the first three days. She gets hers off tomorrow. Glad you hadn't written this 3 years ago or she'd have begged me for the Invisaligns instead of the metal mouth she's been sporting all this time.

Posted by: Venomous Kate at November 30, 2006 10:11 AM (fBHz6)

2 After one day, I'd be inclined to say that it would have to be a VERY responsible teen who got to wear these particular braces. Unlike the cemented on bits of hardware (which incidentally are often necessary for certain types of orthodontia) these require not only work, they require a certain amount of tenacity.

Even the two young women who work in the dentist office and are using the Invisiline (in their 20's) told me they had trouble sticking with the program. It's just too easy to take them out and leave them out. So, a program that should take a few months, stretches to over a year.

I have a hard time envisioning a teen keeping with the program. The appliances would get lost, broken, you name it. No, much as I think it's a good thing (especially for older people who just need a little straightening), I think it would be a disaster for most every kid under the age of 20. (there are always exceptions)

Posted by: Teresa at November 30, 2006 11:21 AM (5UR9t)

3 Oh wow! I hope they work out well!! :-)

Posted by: Richmond at November 30, 2006 02:06 PM (e8QFP)

4 Ahhhhh...braces. Good luck!

I wore 'em in my yoot, and I believe that I shall write about that experience. Thanks, T.

Posted by: Jim - PRS at December 01, 2006 09:43 PM (a6/Kb)

5 Invisiline is not for everyone. (There is an expert in my home. *ahem* Heh.) It can't do major huge tooth movement. It is good for things like you're doing. And yes, you have to be motivated, like using a retainer. If the teenager was paying for it, I bet they'd keep it in!

Posted by: Bou at December 02, 2006 03:39 PM (iHxT3)

6 Oooooooh I'm so curious to hear more and more and more about your experience with this! I had braces on top - my bottom teeth were straight at the time but my wisdom teeth screwed that up a bit - and I've often wondered but been simultaneously reluctant.

Yes. That would be good. Post on, not-so-metal-mouth! Help me help you help me. Or something.

Posted by: liv at December 03, 2006 08:27 PM (pREqE)

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