Over the course of the next few week and months we’ll be following Sue, one of our new Invisalign patients. She is currently having Invisalign treatment and wanted to share her experience in a weekly diary for our blog.
We hope you enjoy finding out about this fantastic way of straightening your teeth with Invisalign treatments.
If you would like to make an appointment at the practice for an Invisalign consultation, please call the reception: 023 8077 1450
Invisalign Introduction
In May 2018 I went for a routine check-up at Oakley Road Dental Clinic, with my dentist Mel. She mentioned to me if I would be interested in having my teeth straightened. She said she had a scanner coming in that could scan my teeth and show me how they would look when straightened.
I was a bit weary because although I have always wanted straight teeth, I thought being 62 that I was a bit long in the tooth for that procedure (excuse the pun!).
However a month or so went by and I kept thinking about it, but not seriously. I then developed an abscess under one of my teeth, and insisted on having it out as the pain was so intense and the tooth was dead anyway. At this point I asked Mel to explain what having my teeth straightened would mean? She showed me Invisalign retainers and I could not believe things had moved on from wire braces.
I made an appointment to have the scan, and a couple of weeks later went back to have my retainers fitted, this was on August 15th 2018.
Invisalign Week One August 15th – 22nd
The ulcers have gone, I’ve chatted to a lot of people who didn’t even realise I wore them, and most were interested to see how things went as were very keen on having them done too.
I was quite excited that I was going to have a new set in on the 22nd and wondered how they would feel. Well at first they felt really tight, and a little painful but nothing that a painkiller couldn’t cope with.
I was glad to get a new set in though because it felt I was starting to get something I had always wanted, straight teeth.
Towards the end of the week the retainers do look a little discoloured, mainly I think because I drink tea, and a couple of times this week I ate with them in, only because it was more convenient to do it as I was out. But as soon as I was able I would go off to the ladies with my little toothbrush and paste I carry in my bag and take them out and clean them and my teeth.
Now I do it the other way round if I know I am going out to eat I take them out and put them in their little case, and after I have eaten I go to the ladies brush my teeth and re-fit them.
It’s no fuss especial as I keep focusing on what they will be like in a few weeks’ time.
Invisalign Week Two August 22nd – 29th
The ulcers have gone, I’ve chatted to a lot of people who didn’t even realise I wore them, and most were interested to see how things went as were very keen on having them done too.
I was quite excited that I was going to have a new set in on the 22nd and wondered how they would feel. Well at first they felt really tight, and a little painful but nothing that a painkiller couldn’t cope with.
I was glad to get a new set in though because it felt I was starting to get something I had always wanted, straight teeth.
Towards the end of the week the retainers do look a little discoloured, mainly I think because I drink tea, and a couple of times this week I ate with them in, only because it was more convenient to do it as I was out. But as soon as I was able I would go off to the ladies with my little toothbrush and paste I carry in my bag and take them out and clean them and my teeth.
Now I do it the other way round if I know I am going out to eat I take them out and put them in their little case, and after I have eaten I go to the ladies brush my teeth and re-fit them.
It’s no fuss especial as I keep focusing on what they will be like in a few weeks’ time.
Invisalign Week Three August 29th – 5th September
Really starting to get used to these retainers now, everything seems to come natural. I’ve started to notice that my teeth are becoming less prominent. It feels a bit strange when I eat as I’m aware that my teeth have actually moved. Went for a check on them this week, and Mel said all looking fine and to keep doing what I’m doing.
Mel did take a photo of them at the start and this week so hopefully we will start to see more changes as the weeks go by. My grand daughters aged 9 and 6 are fascinated by them, and ask if they will need them… sounds funny Nanny having braces, but I guess if they do have to have them later in life it won’t be so daunting for them.
Invisalign Week Four September 5th – 11th
Every time I put a new set of retainers in they feel really tight, but not painfully so, a more satisfying feeling, that it’s another step towards straight teeth. Had a week of eating out for one reason or another but it doesn’t faze me anymore… I just pop them out put them in the case, and replace them after I’ve eaten. If I don’t have my tooth brush with me (for example when I’m out cycling) I pop them back in and sort the brushing and cleaning out when I get home.
I’m finding I am getting excited about the next week’s packet. I ran 10 miles last Saturday with them in and it was fine… training for THE GREAT SOUTH RUN ON 21ST October … and the exciting thing is I will be on week 9 by then….
Week Five September 12th – 18th
On holiday this week in Cornwall, getting used to having the retainers in even more now, almost feel naked without them. Went on long walks, and one particular day whilst sitting on a bench on a cliff top in very strong winds. We decided to have our Cornish Pasties that we had purchased before our walk. Well I had to remove the retainers and as soon as I did a gust of wind came along and almost blew them out of my hands… Of course my husband found this hilarious. They are so light that if they left my hands I dread to think where they would have ended up! I found these set a little uncomfortable on the bottom right hand side for some reason, don’t know why.
Week Six September 19th – 25th
Still on holiday part of this week, and found that I had become into a routine. I took retainers out when I ate, and in the evenings before I went to dinner. During the Day I would pop them in a tissue and in my pocket, even though I have a little case to put them in, when I’m doing long walks I don’t take my handbag with me so a tissue has to do. After eating lunch I made sure I drank enough Cider to make sure my mouth was clean before popping them in again…I’m a dab hand at it now! As a rule I don’t take them out when I drink… only when I eat. I will be wishing next week I was sat on a cliff top and drinking Cider 🙂
Week Seven September 26th – 3rd October
Getting really excited now as the weeks pass by, a new set in and they feel a little tighter. Nobody notices I have them in at all unless I show them which I quite often do. I am beginning to notice that my overbite has become so much smaller it’s quite hard to get used to, as when I take them out to eat sometimes I catch my cheek as my teeth have moved… it’s going to take a bit of time to get used to… but so happy they are working.
Week Eight October 4th – 10th October
Went for a Check up on how my retainers are doing with Mel yesterday. She checked that all the little buttons were all still in place and was so pleased with the amount of movement that has happened… it felt great hearing her say that too. I’ve become so used to them now that I practically feel naked without them… so all is good and I don’t have to see Mel until the last set are in and that will be first week in December… So excited.
Week Nine October 11th – 17th October
Well this week has arrived, Great South Run here I come (10 mile run on Sunday). Feeling more confident about how straight my teeth are going to be than doing the run ! Week Nine went in and to be honest I couldn’t wait to get them in. The movement is quite scary at the moment and I feel naked without the retainers in. Sometimes when it gets to be about 6ish in the evening, I’m quite glad to get them out for a couple of hours. I’ve noticed that my speech is a little bit odd at this stage
but that doesn’t bother me. When I sing in the Choir at St Matthews Church Netley Marsh, I leave them in and it doesn’t seem to affect my singing (or my colleagues haven’t said 🙂 ! Looking forward to getting Sunday out of the way now… this year is just flying away!
Week Ten 18th – 24th October
Well that was fun! NOT … it started off ok and then the sun came out, it’s the hottest 10 mile run I’ve ever done, but having said that its done, and with the sponsorship from Oakley Road Dental Practice my sum raised was over £1000.00 for Oakhaven hospice. My retainers were perfect throughout and people really beginning to notice the difference in my teeth. It’s getting very exciting now.
Week Eleven 25th – 31st October
This week has been a very sad week indeed, as my darling sister who I did the Great South run for passed away on October 30th….. so my sad to say not feeling like writing much, but so glad I did the run. My retainers are great still and the difference is amazing, I see Mel next week so I will have a better idea of how things are going.
Week Twelve – 1st November – 7th November
Went into see Mel on 5th November, she was extremely pleased with the way things are moving along. She took a picture so she might be able to add it to this blog. Can’t wait now as I know I’m seeing her next month for the finale of levelling and whitening. Already having lots of people ask me for before and after photos as they are thinking of having it done, and to those who are thinking about it, it’s well worth it! Especially the care you get from Oakley Road dental Practice… wonderful caring staff all of them.
To be continued…
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