10 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Getting Invisalign!

Summary

The speaker shares their mixed experience with Invisalign, noting that treatment duration is often longer than expected, averaging 16-18 months. They highlight the difference in treatment approaches between dentists and orthodontists, with the latter focusing more on bite correction. The need for lifelong retainer wear, constant cleaning, tooth pain during rapid treatment, and potential headaches are discussed. They also mention that Invisalign doesn't change tooth shape or smile, and that some trays didn't fit well. Despite these issues, they don't regret the decision, appreciating the health benefits and the subtlety of treatment for their YouTube channel.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Invisalign treatment duration is often longer than initially stated, with final trays needed for 2-6 months post-treatment.
• 🦷 The experience can differ significantly between dentists and orthodontists, with the latter potentially providing a more thorough approach.
• 🤔 The long-term commitment of wearing trays for life after treatment is often not fully understood before starting Invisalign.
• 🧼 Rigorous cleaning of trays is required throughout the treatment and even after it's completed.
• 🍎 Speedy treatments can result in more tooth pain due to quicker movement of teeth.
• 🥗 Contrary to expectations, wearing Invisalign does not necessarily lead to weight loss.
• 🤕 Headaches and swallowing difficulties can occur due to teeth clenching induced by the trays.
• 🦴 Straightening reveals stains between teeth that were not apparent before.
• 😁 The shape of teeth and smile are not altered by the process, and some may require additional procedures like IPR for better aesthetics.
• 🔧 Some trays might not fit well, requiring adjustments by the patient themselves.

Q & A

How long does the actual Invisalign treatment last?

The actual treatment is longer than initially stated. You will have to wear your final trays for at least 2 months after the completion date, but it's more likely 4 to 6 months, and possibly longer if a refinement stage is needed.

What is the difference between getting Invisalign from a dentist versus an orthodontist?

Dentists may focus more on speed and aesthetics, while orthodontists take a slower approach focusing more on bite. The speaker's personal experience suggests dentists rush the process, whereas orthodontists work more closely with patients.

Why might someone need to wear trays for the rest of their life after Invisalign treatment?

Trays are needed to maintain the new position of the teeth. The final set of trays will wear out over time, necessitating replacements, and not wearing them can cause the teeth to shift back to their original positions.

How often do you need to clean the Invisalign trays?

During treatment, trays need to be cleaned after every meal. Even after treatment, thorough cleaning is required every morning, which can be time-consuming.

Does a faster Invisalign treatment plan result in more tooth pain?

Yes, a quicker treatment can lead to more tooth pain as the teeth move faster. The speaker experienced bruised feelings in their teeth for the first few days after starting new trays.

Can Invisalign treatment help with weight loss?

The speaker and their spouse did not lose weight despite the inconvenience of having to remove trays and clean teeth after every meal. It's suggested that some people might eat more to compensate for the不能吃时间.

What kind of side effects did the speaker experience during Invisalign treatment?

The speaker experienced headaches and difficulty swallowing, which they attributed to clenching their teeth at night due to the trays causing their jaw to sit farther apart.

Are there any revelations about teeth stains after Invisalign treatment?

Straightening teeth with Invisalign can reveal stains between teeth that were not apparent before. The speaker's wife had some stained teeth that became more visible after her treatment.

Does Invisalign change the shape of your teeth or your smile?

Invisalign does not change the shape of the teeth or how you smile. The speaker's wife was not satisfied with the egg-shaped appearance of her teeth after treatment, which did not occur with the speaker's teeth.

What issues did the speaker have with the fitting of the trays?

Some of the trays did not fit well, requiring the speaker to modify them by cutting and filing to prevent discomfort and potential damage to their gums or teeth.

Did the speaker develop a lisp while wearing the Invisalign trays?

Yes, the speaker experienced a lisp, especially in the beginning, which required them to enunciate more clearly when speaking.

Would the speaker recommend getting braces instead of Invisalign?

The speaker does not regret getting Invisalign and would not choose braces instead, as they believe braces would have been more distracting for their YouTube channel and would still require a retainer afterward.

Outlines

00:00

😖 Invisalign Experience: Expectations vs. Reality

The speaker shares their mixed feelings about their Invisalign treatment. They were ultimately satisfied with the results but felt unprepared and uninformed about the process. They highlight that treatment duration is often longer than initially stated, with final trays needing to be worn for at least 2 months after the projected completion date, and possibly up to 6 months if refinements are needed. The speaker also points out the difference in approach between dentists and orthodontists, with dentists potentially rushing the process and focusing on aesthetics, while orthodontists may take a slower, more bite-focused approach.

05:02

😕 Invisalign: The Unforeseen Challenges

The speaker discusses several unexpected challenges they faced during their Invisalign treatment. They were surprised to learn they would need to wear trays indefinitely to maintain their results, and that the trays would need to be replaced as they wear out. They also mention the constant need to clean the trays, which was more burdensome than anticipated. Additionally, they experienced tooth pain due to the quick treatment plan, which led to discomfort during the initial days of each new tray. They also note that contrary to expectations, they did not lose weight as they still compensated for the inconvenience of having to remove and clean the trays after every meal. Lastly, they mention the physical discomfort and potential aesthetic changes caused by teeth clenching during the night.

Keywords

💡Invisalign

Invisalign is a modern orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth. It is a key topic in the video, as the speaker shares their personal experience and insights about undergoing the treatment. The video discusses the effectiveness, duration, and challenges associated with Invisalign, such as the need for long-term wear and the potential for discomfort.

💡Trays

Trays refer to the clear aligners used in Invisalign treatment. The speaker mentions that they have to wear these trays for an extended period, even after the treatment is deemed complete, to maintain the alignment of their teeth. This highlights the ongoing commitment required beyond the active treatment phase, which was a surprise to the speaker and is a significant aspect of the Invisalign process.

💡Orthodontist

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and facial irregularities, particularly concerning the alignment of teeth and jaws. The video contrasts the experiences of getting Invisalign from an orthodontist versus a dentist, suggesting that orthodontists may take a more comprehensive and longer-term approach to treatment, focusing on both aesthetics and bite function.

💡Dentist

A dentist is a healthcare professional responsible for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. In the context of the video, the speaker reflects on their experience getting Invisalign from a dentist, feeling that the process was rushed and more focused on aesthetics and speed rather than long-term oral health, which contrasts with their wife's experience with an orthodontist.

💡Refinement

A refinement in the context of Invisalign refers to additional treatment stages that may be required after the initial treatment plan to achieve the desired results. The speaker was not initially aware that they might need a refinement stage, which could extend the treatment duration beyond the initially estimated timeline, highlighting the variability in treatment length.

💡IPR (Interproximal Reduction)

IPR, or interproximal reduction, is a dental procedure where small amounts of enamel are removed between teeth to create space for aligning them. The video discusses the speaker's experience with IPR, expressing concerns about enamel loss and discomfort. It also contrasts the approach taken by the speaker's dentist with that of an orthodontist who did not use IPR, leading to different aesthetic outcomes.

💡Retention

Retention in orthodontics refers to the phase of treatment aimed at maintaining the new position of the teeth after active orthodontic treatment has been completed. The video emphasizes the importance of lifelong retention, as the speaker was surprised to learn that they would need to wear trays every night for the rest of their life to prevent their teeth from shifting back to their original positions.

💡Tooth Pain

Tooth pain is a common side effect of orthodontic treatments like Invisalign, as the teeth are gradually shifted into a new position. The speaker describes experiencing significant tooth pain, especially during the initial days after starting a new set of trays, which was an unexpected consequence of choosing a faster treatment plan.

💡Cleaning

Cleaning in the context of Invisalign refers to the necessity of maintaining oral hygiene by cleaning the teeth and aligner trays regularly. The video details the inconvenience of frequent cleaning, both during and after treatment, as it adds time to the speaker's daily routine and is a critical aspect of Invisalign care that they were not fully prepared for.

💡Headaches

Headaches are mentioned as a side effect experienced by the speaker during their Invisalign treatment, potentially due to nighttime teeth clenching caused by the trays. This highlights the physical discomforts and adjustments that can accompany orthodontic treatments and the impact they can have on overall well-being.

💡Stains

Stains refer to discolorations on teeth that can become more visible as teeth are straightened during orthodontic treatment. The video notes that the speaker's wife experienced revealed stains on her teeth after her Invisalign treatment, indicating that while teeth alignment improves, other aesthetic concerns may arise that require additional care or treatment.

Highlights

Actual treatment time is longer than initially stated, often requiring additional months of full-time tray wear after the projected completion date.

There's a notable difference in treatment approach between dentists and orthodontists, with the former potentially rushing treatment for aesthetics and the latter focusing more on bite correction.

Trays may need to be worn indefinitely to maintain results, and replacements will be required as they wear out over time.

Tray maintenance is a continuous requirement, necessitating frequent cleaning to avoid issues.

Rapid treatment can result in significant tooth pain due to the quicker movement of teeth.

Contrary to expectations, the treatment did not lead to weight loss for the speaker or their spouse.

Headaches and swallowing difficulties can arise due to nighttime teeth clenching caused by the trays.

Stains between teeth may become more visible as teeth straighten, highlighting the need for additional dental treatments post-treatment.

The process does not alter the natural shape of teeth or the smile, which may not meet all aesthetic expectations.

Interproximal Reduction (IPR) was applied without much consideration, raising concerns about enamel loss and tooth longevity.

Some trays did not fit well initially, requiring the user to modify them to avoid discomfort.

Despite the challenges, the user does not regret getting Invisalign and appreciates the health benefits of straighter teeth.

The user experienced a lisp while wearing the trays initially, which is a common temporary side effect.

The user did not prefer braces over Invisalign due to the less noticeable appearance while having a YouTube channel.

The user's bite was not fully corrected, and the midline shift was not entirely successful, which were disappointments.

The user encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and support their channel for more content.

Transcripts

so I finished my inv viz line about one

year ago and while I am ultimately

satisfied with the results the overall

experience left me feeling a little

confused unprepared disgruntled I just

felt like I was left in the dark a

little with the true investment of time

and money you know if you are

considering getting them for yourself or

have gotten them and are straight up

curious what the heck I'm talking about

let's get into all the things I wished I

knew before getting Invisalign right now

number one the actual treat is longer

than they tell you you will have to wear

your final trays for at least 2 months

after the date they tell you you'll be

finished I'm talking all day every day

and I'm being generous here on average

it's more likely 4 to 6 months and

that's if you don't need a refinement

stage which a lot of people do that

could chalk up another few months so if

they tell you it'll take 12 months

there's a good chance you'll actually be

wearing trays full-time for at least 16

to 18 months but you'll notice I gave

two different numbers there I said I

only wor mine for 2 months after

completion yet I mentioned on average

most people wear them for 4 to 6 months

full-time after treatment so where did I

get that number from that leads me to

the second thing I wish I knew before

getting Invisalign and that is it seems

to me there is a big difference between

getting Invisalign at a dentist and an

orthodontist now this is purely

anecdotal but I believe dentists are

more focused on getting it done quick

and on the Aesthetics where

orthodontists go for a slower approach

and focus more on your

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bite I got mine at my dentist and to be

100% honest with you I didn't really

enjoy the experience kind of felt like

they just wanted the money they rushed

the process told me what I wanted to

hear didn't really care about my

complaints during the process then told

told me it was great in the end my wife

however went through her ortho and even

though our teeth were at similar levels

of crookedness her treatment took 2

years versus my 10 months and they

really worked with her to ensure her

bite was great after my trads were done

my bite kind of sucked and didn't feel

good I'm just saying the prices were

similar so depending on what your goals

are it's something to keep in mind

number three going back to talking about

the trays I did not realize I would be

wearing trays for the rest of my life

I'm not sure why maybe it's Common Sense

maybe most dentist to tell people about

it but I just thought I would go through

the process of having Invisalign wear

the annoying trays for a year or so then

that was that I didn't consider wearing

them every night for the rest of my life

and with that being said the trays don't

last forever they will give you your

final set of trays but they will wear

out and what do you think happens when

they wear out oh look you need to buy

Replacements and oh look the price has

gone up I personally don't love wearing

trays when I go to sleep I do it about

four or five nights a week if I go

longer than that without wearing them I

have to really chewy them hard otherwise

the trays get too tight number four you

have to clean clean clean when you wear

the trays you have to clean them all the

time it's so annoying during the

treatment I was flushing and brushing

after every meal then cleaning the trays

too now that I'm finished I don't do as

much cleaning as I did during the

treatment but I still have to clean the

trays thoroughly every morning which

just adds minutes to my already busy

morning boohoo though I know it's a

privilege to be able to have my teeth

straightened but still it's annoying

it's just something I didn't realize

number five a speedy treatment means

tooth pain I wanted to finish the

treatment as fast as possible so I was

excited when my dentist told me it would

only be 10 months but what I didn't

realize was that since my teeth would be

moving so quickly that would mean a lot

of tooth pain I changed my trays about

every 10 days and for the first 3 to 4

days after starting new trays my teeth

felt bruised all day there's no way I

could have bitten into an apple heck

even biting into a banana hurt if you

have a f fast treatment plan expect your

teeth to hurt after starting new trays

now my wife did not have this problem

since she had a much slower gradual plan

than I so if you are doing the slow plan

you won't have to worry about this one

talking about eating for number six I

thought for sure I was going to lose

weight since every time you eat you have

to remove the trays clean your teeth

clean your trays Etc nope I didn't lose

a single pound and neither did my wife I

guess you compensate by eating more

knowing you won't be eating for hours

maybe some people lost weight but we

didn't number seven the headaches so a

few things happened to me after I

started my Invisalign plan I started

getting headaches and I couldn't figure

out why then like 6 months in I had

trouble swallowing too what I think

happened was I started clenching my

teeth in the night since the trays make

your jaw sit farther apart than they

naturally would so my masser muscles

were absolutely worn out from clenching

all night and the process left my head

hurting a lot not only were my teeth

sore for the first few days after after

a new set of trays I had headaches too

and some people's faces change because

of all the clenching the mass of their

muscles become larger and can give some

people a square jaw I didn't really

notice that myself but a lot of the tiny

muscles in my throat seemed to get tired

from all that clenching and it made more

effort for me to

swallow that sucked number eight stains

that are between your teeth get revealed

this wasn't really a problem for me

however my wife had a few turned in

teeth and as they straightened out it

became clear that they were stained and

you can't really get that out she's

tried whitening her teeth and while it

has helped a little hasn't corrected it

fully they do suggest you whiten your

teeth after treatment I used that stuff

for one day and it made my teeth feel so

sensitive I did not do it I don't really

care about that I did want nice

Aesthetics of teeth straightening But

ultimately I did it for the health

benefits I will say it's so much easier

to clean my teeth now they are straight

it hurt flossing them before number nine

the process doesn't change the shape of

your teeth or how you smile my wife

finished her Invisalign and she doesn't

really love how her teeth look she

always comments that I have nicer shaped

teeth now to be fair going back to the

dentist versus Ortho my dentist was

quick to apply IPR which is

interproximal reduction it's basically

shaving your teeth I was concerned about

losing enamel on my teeth but before I

had time to think he shaved those babies

down it was extremely uncomfortable too

as you imagine shaving teeth would be

the ortho for my wife did not do IPR so

now she says her teeth are egg shape and

she doesn't love them does IPR affect

tooth longevity I don't know to me it

seems that it would but what do I know

my dentist said it wouldn't and number

10 some of the trays didn't fit along

the way and I literally had to cut and

file them so they didn't shred my gums

or hang off my teeth my very first set

of trays did not fit well the back right

of my top tray hung off my teeth like a

loaded diaper I called my dentist and he

was like it's fine keep keep chewing

your chewy I did that for 3 days until

finally after reading comments I decided

to take measures into my own hands there

I was after spending thousands of

dollars cutting my trays with scissors

hoping I wasn't messing it all up

because I couldn't handle the feeling of

the ill-fitting trays on my first few

days if having trays for the first time

in life wasn't already stressful enough

that was a rough week it wasn't easy but

luckily my future trays did fit better

so do I regret doing it I wouldn't say

so although to be honest if I had to do

it again I would probably go to an

orthodontist instead of a dentist I'm

not knocking all the dentists out there

but let's be honest orthos are

Specialists it's what they do now a

quick bonus thing I'll mention because I

kind of did know of it before I got

Invisalign was that when you wear the

trays you do have a lisp at least in the

beginning in my early videos I had to

enunciate so much otherwise everything I

said would found like this just a

friendly reminder in case you do decide

to get them and do I wish I got braces

instead no not really you would still

need tray or a retainer at the end and

it would have been more distracting for

me with my YouTube channel I was able to

record videos without anyone really

noticing so that was sweet I mean I wish

I had metal braces when I was young to

help with my bite as I do have a bit of

a crossbite now and as I mentioned in my

original Invisalign review the trays

weren't able to get my teeth 100%

straight more like 96% that and the

changing of my midline were a bit of a

bummer if you don't know what I'm

talking about or haven't watched that

video yet please check it out here

otherwise if you want to watch another

video but don't want to have to look

inside my mouth watch this video next as

always thank you for watching and an

extra thank you if you can take a moment

to like the video and subscribe if you

haven't it's the only way a small

Channel like mine can grow so I really

appreciate it see you next time on the

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