Initial Appointments - Be Ready to Wait and Wait Some More...

So far, if there is one thing I can advise anyone interested in starting Invisalign treatment at a specific time to do, it would be to start your research three months ago. Let me explain...

I had been contemplating Invisalign for several months over the past year. I researched online, read several blogs, and even visited a forum of Invisalign patients. Taking both the good and bad experiences into consideration, I decided it sounded like the best plan for me.

Because I teach, I thought early June would be ideal to begin visiting the orthodontist I'd chosen in order to get started. In my "brilliant" plan, I'd have nearly three months off to get started, adjust, and then return to work with my teeth straightening out in their perfect aligner trays. Now, I wasn't naive enough to think I was only going to visit the orthodontist once, and then POOF, the next day I'd have trays in hand, but I did not anticipate nearly two and half months of dead time while I wait for the magic. Here is the basic timeline of how my Invisalign treatment has come to fruition:

June 16, 2011 - Meeting the Orthodontist

I visited the orthodontist I selected for an initial consultation. We met for approximately 45 minutes. He took x-rays of my mouth, did an initial, visual inspection of my teeth and then explained treatment options.

I expressed my desire for Invisalign, explaining that with my job and because of my prior orthodontic experiences, I don't desire to go the traditional, metal route. He understood completely and agreed that Invisalign is a solid option for me, while still explaining that it will NOT completely correct the bite issues I have, nor the other technical issues he sees in my mouth. I expressed the "cosmetic" priority I wish to see addressed, and he both honestly and realistically explained what benefits I can expect from Invisalign. I was cautiously optimistic.

I was given an initial cost and time estimate for treatment. I was still excited...then, I was told I'd need to set up a "records" appointment. This would be the session where they would actually take detailed molds of my teeth in order to send them to the Invisalign Lab and decide on a treatment plan.

Okay, great. We set a date for about three weeks from that day. The reason being, I had just had a six month cleaning at my dentist, and I had two cavities I needed filled. My ortho was serious about me getting those filled BEFORE any molds were taken, because the aligners need to fit just right, and you don't want to run the risk that the fillings or work done will in some minute way change the structure of the tooth and the way the trays sit on them.

So...off to the dentist I went.

July 11, 2011 - Records Appointment ...aka...Try Not To Gag

(Note: This was the first appointment I was required to pay a fee for. I was charged $290 for a "records" fee. This guaranteed payment for the molds and initial assessment from Invisalign. If I decided not to pursue treatment, that would have been the only money I paid.)

At this appointment, I had several (about 15) photos taken of my teeth. For some, my ortho used lip retractors in order to get very detailed photos of my teeth and gums. It was not painful at all, and he explained every picture he took.

Then, we moved to the chair for molds. The regular (study) mold was taken. A tray (one for my upper and bottom teeth) was filled with a puddy or goo-like substance and inserted (first the upper, then the lower) for about 45 seconds each. That was a piece of cake. I believe those will be kept by my ortho for his own study and records.

After that, the Invisalign molds were taken. They were very similar to the standard mold, except that a special neon-colored gel was added to the top of the puddy just before it was inserted in my mouth. I did not notice a significant difference; the only tricky part is that these molds must remain in your mouth for about 3 to 3 1/2 minutes. The assistant helping me was great about keeping me calm, and she allowed me to lean forward when I began to panic about choking at one point. The upper set was more difficult for me, because the roof of my mouth (top/back of throat) was irritated and causing me to "think" I was about to choke. It truly is mind over matter, but overall, I did not gag, and they said I did great. Who knows..they're so nice, I'm sure they tell everyone that. :)

We had to do the top trays 3 times! My ortho wanted it to be absolutely perfect. Remember, your Invisalign aligners and how they fit depend on the molds, so I did not mind redoing them. If there was a tiny bubble, or it seemed like a tooth did not fully mold, he redid them. I appreciated this attention to detail. My gag reflex however...that was a different story.

Overall, if you've read horror stories about Invisalign mold appointments, don't sweat it. It was 30 minutes and not painful at all. I would just define it as uncomfortable because of the choke worry. A few Tips:

1. Be ready to lean forward in case you sense goo sliding back or down your throat. It is thick and will stop in its tracks if you lean forward. This will stop the gagging.

2. Stay calm and don't try to talk.

3. Breathe through your nose.

4. Re-schedule the appointment if you're sick with a cold or severely congested.

Okay, so once we were done, I left and was told the Invisalign lab would send my ortho a detailed "ClinCheck" - Clinical Check - of my teeth after they created a treatment plan. This means, they would provide animations of how my teeth would be moved into alignment. I would also know exactly how many trays on my upper and lower teeth would be needed, thus determining the exact length of my treatment.

Great, we scheduled an appointment for two weeks from that day (it generally takes 7-10 business days) my ortho explained.

July 28, 2011 - ClinCheck Appointment. This was an exciting appointment. I sat down in my Orthodontist's office, and he showed me the animations Invisalign sent him. He also e-mailed them to me, so I could share them with family. I believe it's also important to note that your orthodontist works actively in determining the Invisalign treatment. He explained that he requested a few changes to their initial assessment, added a few "buttons", which are tooth colored nobs attached to the teeth to help tweak the teeth as they move in the trays, and added a few notes. This was key in me deciding who I wanted to pursue treatment with. I'm not completely convinced that every dentist offering Invisalign is as well versed in orthodontia as need be, but that's a whole different post, isn't it?

There were detailed views of my teeth, moving into straighter position from both the front-on, side, and occlusal views. Check the post above for my Invisalign ClinCheck videos. My ortho explained that even though the gum tissue on the upper teeth does not appear "fixed" at the end, I should not worry. He said it's not as easy for Invisalign to determine how the gingival tissue will respond as it is to align the teeth. He explained that once we have the teeth straight, if there is still excess gum tissue on the top, he will recommend a periodontist and "trimming", done with a laser, can easily correct that. I was ecstatic. At this point, he anticipates 20 trays for the upper and lower, worn for two weeks each, which equals about 9 and a half months of treatment.

Then, refinement trays may be necessary, but he doesn't see the entire thing lasting more than 16-18 months. I decided at that point to sign away. I was then committed to payment and treatment. In my mind, the magic Invisalign robot was frantically busy making my trays. Yay! ;)

We set up an appointment for approximately 10-12 business days from then in order to actually fit my first set of trays...we're getting closer.

For an interesting and informative video on the Invisalign mold process, click here.

For a great video on how Invisalign trays are made, click here.

August 13, 2011 - Invisalign Delivery Day

I've been told this will be a quick (15 minutes or less) appointment, where my ortho will help me put on my first set of trays and practice removing them. We'll see.

So, in conclusion, here's the kicker...I start work on Monday, August 15. Remember the beauty in my plan, a whole two months to adjust and get started before going back to school and talking all day...yeah, that's not going to happen. But, it's okay. I'll figure it out, and I'll detail it all, so that it can hopefully help you.

Please post any comments or questions below. Thanks!