2nd set

Well I have to be honest, the first set of aligners really hurt! Got less and less over the first 4 days then was fine for the rest as it became quite loose. I was poppin pills for the first two days and started to wonder what I had signed up for! All is good now :-)

I changed over to tray 2 on Thursday last week so its on to tray 3 this Sunday. It was tight for the first few hours and its been fine ever since. Not going to post any photos yet as there really are no changes....

The novelty has completly worn off but I adjusted quickly to taking them out before eating and not being able to snack so easily. Not one person has noticed them! In fact, people who do know have to ask if they are in as they really can't tell.

I was given 'nite white' to whiten my teeth, so far I have used it 3 times over 2 weeks and it really has taken the yellow tinge off my eye teeth. Will keep going with it but it left my teeth a bit sensitive so am giving it a rest for a while.

Tip: follow the invisalign instructions for removing the trays! I did my own thing trying to wiggle them off and ended up cracking the first one a tiny bit. Followed their instructions of 'remove one side first then the other' and its so much easier. Not had to use the removal tool but then I don't have any attachments.

So all in all its going well!

1st set

I got my aligners today! I have to admit they are feeling rather tight. I am very impressed with how invisible they actually are! Silly I know but they really are almost invisible!

Above: my teeth with the first set of trays in

Although its not painful I can feel pressure on certain teeth and my bite feels strange. Its that horrible ache that you just wish would go away but isn't really enough to moan about. I was warned by my ortho about this!

At my appointment I was shown my aligners and he popped them in so I could have a quick feel of them. Back out they came so he could do a little prep to my teeth (cleaning, polish and a little IPR/filing between my teeth to make more room). Was shown how to put them in and take them out, how to use the chewies and aligner removal tool and an overview of the tooth whitening kit. I came away very informed and happy about what I have been given and what to do. I was given my entire set of aligners (23 uppers and 16 lowers) and I am changing every 10 days.

I was given lots of goodies too!

• Drawstring bag with my aligners in their box
• At home teeth whitening kit (enough for a few applications but I can request more)
• Chewie
• Aligner removal tool
• Invisalign starter kit with 2 aligner cases
• Various leaflets
• Mini toothpaste
• Tiny travel toothbrush and toothpaste kit
• Little bag to carry the case and bits around in
• Denture cleaning tablets

So far I have added a nail file to my bag for the rough edges and dental floss on a stick. I also placed on order online for a clear aligner cleaning set including a sonic cleaner with retainer brite, mirror, chewie, tool, fresh and go toothbrush/paste, interdental brushes, little mouthwash and another case all for £16. I plan on having a kit at home, work and for my handbag.

My ortho is happy for my to drink non-sugary drinks with them in including hot drinks as long as they are not boiling hot.

My next appointment is in 8 weeks (beginning of August) and a few days before I see my regular dentist. Be interesting to see what my regular dentist has to say about my treatment, as he has never commented on how my teeth have moved in the 6 years since I finished my NHS treatment.

As I have all my aligners I will post progress photos although I have already been comparing my first set to my last uppers set! Looking at my clincheck the majority of the movement is in the first 10 aligners with the next getting them in the right position.