I have written a full account of my Invisalign experience. I am currently in the middle of treatment and actually have 88 lower aligners in total!!! Can you believe it. I think perhaps this is an all time record!

Glad to see that you are thrilled with your final outcome. I am actually already thrilled with my teeth and I still have a long way to go.

great blog

I did use my final tray as my retainer for about 2 years. This was what my orthodontist recommended as far as I remember. At least, he definitely did not try to push some other option.

I had to get a new retainer made when I got a crown replaced and my final tray no longer fit. I got a new retainer made by a new orthodontist (I moved across the country) and I really hate it. I can’t close my teeth properly with it in and I’m sure it’s causing jaw problems, headaches, and everything else. The orthodontist told me that was normal, but I think he just is a lousy orthodontist. I should really go somewhere else and fork out another $250 to get a new one but I haven’t gotten it together to go and do it.

I have had a bonded retainer wire on my bottom teeth for over 20 years and I am soooo glad. My bottom teeth have remained perfectly straight and I’ve had no problems with it, other than a slight hassle with flossing. I haven’t ever heard of getting a retainer wire on the top teeth, but maybe they do that.

My dentist told me that many women have allergy problems with metal in the mouth. Specifically with nickel or with having multiple pieces of metal. He takes a holistic approach to dentistry that most others don’t, which I appreciate but not everyone will. I followed his advice and did not ask my orthodontist about getting second retainer wire for my top teeth.

I’m approaching the end of my Invisalign treatment and now considering retention options.

I’ve read about some Invisalign wearers using their final tray/aligner as their retainer. Is this something you did?

Removable Vivera retainers (made by the makers of Invisalign) seem to be the popular choice recommended by most doctors. If wearing your last Invisalign tray as a retainer does the same job its a shame that some orthodontists advise patients to stump up an extra few hundred £$ especially as Vivera’s subscription lasts for only one year then you would need to renew to get a new set of retainers.

Does the fixed/bonded retainer last for years? Have you encountered any problems with them?

p.s. I too wasn’t told about the lifelong commitment for retention – I wonder why? mmm…

Congratulations on getting your teeth straightened! I know I felt sooo much better after getting mine straightened. I never wanted to smile before and now I do all the time.

I tend to bite down on my aligner (now my retainer at night) as well. Not sure what can be done about that. For some reason I feel a compulsive need to make sure it’s in all the way.

As far as the “yuck” in your mouth, that is within your control to some extent. I am guessing that your diet is very mucus-forming. Maybe you eat a lot of processed foods or cheese or gluten? Is your tongue always covered in a white film in the morning?

My diet is pretty clean and healthy and I still suffer from a little bit of that disgusting feeling on my tray in the morning. But it’s definitely improved over the last few years as I’ve gotten the unhealthy foods out of my diet. Mucus-forming diets can also contribute to teeth and gum problems (something else I suffered TERRIBLY from my whole life until recently).

I am on my 3rd set of rays ( out of 30 ) and I seem to constantly notice them in my mouth! I seem to bit down on them a fair bit and rub my teeth together. It’s like I need to! LOL.. I wonder if it’s because “unconsciously” the teeth fee like they need to be in a different place through the pressure of the aligners so the we chew to help them move quicker. My first and second sets seemed to move my teeth quite quickly. i.e became loose after only a few days. It has been nearly a week with this one and it is still tight and it didn;t seem to fit as tight as the first two when I put it on. I have noticed results already.. and love it BUT I must say, they do annoy me a little as I am fairly aware that they are there! I hate the morning with them.. They taste yuk and the first thing I need to do is spit out the gunk. I suffer from peridontal disease and thought this may have been a problem, but it seems to improve my gums as I have to brush/flosh and mouthwash after every meal. My teeth overall look and feel so much better! I just can;t wait until the process is finished and I can finally get my three veneers and my teeth whitened )) ( Have been suffering with three front fillings and bucked teeth since I was 8 years old! I am now 35 years old and SOOOO excited! I do hope it turns out like the clincheck.. They looked FANTASTIC! As for traditional braces, what I have read, invisalign is for me, less pain, no teeth removed, gentler teeth moving, out to eat!!! LOVE IT!!!

Hopefully if someone reading this has had a similar experience they will share it with us.