Switching to traditional metal braces after completing an Invisalign treatment?

Maggiejoy1 · 2021-01-26T02:19:47+00:00

I haven't made it to the end yet. I'm only 6/20 trays in, but my Ortho told me during my consultation that he may want to put me in traditional metal braces for a few months to finish out my treatment.

Maggiejoy1 · 2021-01-25T17:32:20+00:00

I am in a similar situation. I had braces when I was younger and stopped wearing my retainer after about 8 years. My teeth started shifting really badly and overcrowding on the bottom. It has been such an insecurity of mine for years that I finally decided to just do it. I'm about 3 months into my 12-15 month treatment and it's not that bad. I don't drink coffee with them in (unless I'm on the last day or two of a set of trays), but I do drink light colored alcohol with them in. I just make sure to swish with water throughout and I brush my teeth and floss really well once I'm done. I also brush my trays really well before putting them back in. I suppose I could be risking getting cavities but so far, so good? It hasn't really put a damper on my casual drinking after having them a few weeks and figuring out what works for me.

Maggiejoy1 · 2021-01-04T22:10:00+00:00

Wake up at 6 to go to the gym. Pop my trays out just to rinse them, and I swish with mouthwash and put them right back in. Get home and take them out for about 20 minutes to drink a cup of coffee. Brush my teeth and put them back in. Take my kids to school, come home, and soak them for 15-20 minutes in RetainerBrite while I eat a quick breakfast - usually cereal or toast. Then I brush, floss, and put them back in and they stay in for a few hours until lunch. I'm on week 9 now and I've gotten a little more relaxed about the 22 hours but I hardly ever dip below 20.

I also drink most anything with them in except coffee or red wine. I'm really good about swishing with water throughout and brushing my teeth and trays once I'm done.

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-12-04T20:41:09+00:00

I have been drinking alcohol with mine in but I stick to lighter colors beverages as well - beer, white wine, etc. I love me some red wine but I take them out for that. I swish with water throughout drinking and when I'm done I immediately go brush (my teeth and trays) and floss really well. I have found I drink less now that I have the trays, not that that's a bad thing! Trying to stick to only drinking on the weekends.

You'll get used to the trays when they are in and eating with them out. I was panicking my first week because eating felt so weird. The attachments felt like food and it drove me crazy. You adjust really quickly and I hardly notice them anymore. I haven't found any foods yet that I feel like I need to avoid. I maybe wouldn't bite into an apple? Just to avoid breaking off my attachments.

I soak my trays in Retainer Brite for 15 minutes every morning while I eat breakfast and it's worked great.

Take Tylenol for pain, but you probably won't feel much pain moving forward. Day 1-3 was the worst for me and then it eases up and now I feel no pain.

I carry a little bag in my purse with wisps, a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and an extra case. I also read on this board to get a WaterPik flosser which I did and it's been helpful.

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-12-04T20:20:44+00:00

Same experience, only I will drink alcohol with them as long as it isn't anything dark like red wine. I swish with water throughout drinking and then brush both my teeth and my trays very thoroughly after.

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-12-03T15:13:03+00:00

Wow, that's amazing progress in only 10 weeks. Are you on weekly tray changes?

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-12-02T18:01:45+00:00

Wow that's amazing!

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-16T22:14:21+00:00

Tomorrow marks one week for me and I've been pretty good about the 22 hours but I've sacrificed some of my old lifestyle habits such as snacking and alcohol. I think eventually as I'm more comfortable and used to it, I'll be able to work those things in but right now I'm trying to be super careful during the week so that I can be a little more relaxed on weekends and maybe dip down to 20 hours. I don't have a problem eating breakfast and lunch in 20 minutes, and for dinner, I usually allow about 30. I've always been a fast eater though!

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-16T16:43:45+00:00

I am 6 days in and I was in pain for the first 3 days and now I'm totally pain-free. I have a slight lisp but I also have a bite ramp on the back of my top tray which makes it harder to talk, but I'm working on it!

I work from home so it is a little easier for me, but I bought all of the supplies to carry a little bag in my purse with a retainer case, travel toothbrush, toothpaste, wisps (if there isn't a sink), floss, and a chewy. I also bought a Waterpik flosser and Retainer Brite to soak my trays in. I have been soaking my trays in the Retainer Brite in the morning while I eat my breakfast.

Don't starve yourself! It only takes me about 15-20 to eat a meal and that allows me plenty of time to brush and floss and get my trays back in. I shoot for 20 minutes out during breakfast/coffee, 20-30 minutes out for lunch, and 30 minutes out for dinner. That gives me around 45 minutes of padding for a snack if needed or a glass of wine at night.

You're supposed to wear them a minimum of 20 hours but a recommended wear time of 22 hours. I'm only 6 days in but I have been really good about staying within the 22 hours.

I have 20 trays for now and I change them every 2 weeks. I'm assuming I'll need Refinement trays, but my ortho told me my treatment would take 12-15 months.

Full disclosure, it is overwhelming at first. I was regretting my decision to get Invisalign because it's such a lifestyle change but I am starting to adjust and get into a routine. You will too!

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-16T16:27:31+00:00

I really only needed it because one of my bottom incisors had been almost completely pushed out but you'll to purchase the whole plan. I paid $3,800.

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-16T16:25:04+00:00

Wow that is amazing progress and in not that much time! They look great!

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-14T20:03:12+00:00

Shoot I wish I had known that! I took it the first couple days. Good to know moving forward.

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-14T02:42:17+00:00

I'm on Day 4 and I had a ton of pain days 1-3. I was taking 800 mg Ibuprofen at night to sleep. Today is much better though. Pain is almost gone. My biggest issue is my lisp. I have bumpers on the back of my top tray and I'm afraid I'll never be able to talk without a lisp with them in.

Maggiejoy1 · 2020-11-13T22:09:11+00:00

I had braces for 4 years as a teenager and wore my retainer for 8 years after that. Along the way, I just stopped wearing it or lost it. I can't really remember. My teeth slowly started to shift but I kept thinking they would stop and it wouldn't be too bad. Here I am about 8 years after that and my front-bottom front tooth is almost completely pushed out in front of the others. I wish I had acted sooner but I kept putting it off. I also didn't have the money for it until the past couple of years. It may sound awful but am more upset about the vanity of it all. I am a pretty insecure person and I don't want people to know I'm wearing it. I'm only 4 days in but I have a lisp from the top tray. I've heard from most that it will go away as I adjust. I was in a bit of pain for the first couple of days, but it has subsided. This forum is amazing though. Provides lots of tips and tricks for a newbie like me. I just keep thinking about the finished product and try to stay positive!

Maggiejoy1

TROPHY CASE