moulds done!

15/04/10

Today I had my moulds done for Invisalign (my mouth tasted of yucky plaster for the rest of the day!)
It only took one go for the top arch but 3 goes for the bottom arch..... Its not a nice feeling having all this putty in your mouth and not being able to move your jaw or swallow for 3 minutes, so the bottom ones I had 9 minutes of it to endure! Lucky me! (not). At least no pain was involved!
The dental assistant has braces and I asked her why she has chosen speed braces over invisalign and she said since she has to deal with kids in braces all the time she wanted to experience braces herself so that she can relate to them more & empathise with them etc and she has no issues with having a mouth full of metal since she works in the dental industry (she is lucky in that she only has to wear her braces for 1 year). She also said that she has seen excellent results with invisalign and that it works faster than braces, so here is hoping!!!
So after I got my moulds done I then had to pay the deposit ($3K - ouch!!!) & set up the AP ($212 per month over 2 years). No going back now! I said that to the Receptionist and she said that I definately won't regret it! Again..... Here is hoping!
So, now I just have to wait a few weeks for my next appointment & clin-check (to see how my teeth will look visually if treatment goes to plan) and then if I am happy with the plan then the aligners will be made up & then treatment will finally begin!
It all seems so overwhelming.... I keep thinking about the hassle of having to take them out in public if eating/drinking out etc.... I keep wondering how I will cope with not snacking all day (cos of the hassle of having to brush/floss after every meal)..... I keep chickening out wondering if I should just leave my teeth alone...... wondering if it is going to be worth all the money and hassle? But I keep reminding myself that my bottom teeth will get worse over time and that if I don't do anything about it now then I WILL regret it and my teeth WILL get harder to clean as they keep moving out of line, and of course, I DO want an attractive smile and have my ugly gap between my two front teeth closed once and for all!
P.S - I will put pics up maybe in my next blog once my treatment plan is made up. Hopefully I will be able to get the professional pics I had done at the dentist!

Going to be getting Invisalign!

Sunday 11th April 2010

Haven't updated in ages!!

Well, since my last blog I have had my moulds, photo's & x-rays done and had another consultation with my orthondontist with possible treatment plans.
He gave me the choice of Speed braces or Invisalign. I had no idea I would be a good candidate for Invisalign and the cost is only an extra $950! So Invisalign it is!
For those of you who don't know what Invisalign is, they are clear plastic retainers that you change every 2 weeks. Pro's - they are invisible, you take them out to eat & drink therefore meaning there are no restrictions on what you can eat, you can brush/floss your teeth as usual, shorter treatment time than traditional braces and much more comfortable.
I have another appointment this week to do moulds again for invisalign and to pay the deposit ($3K - ouch!).
I have been thoroughly researching everything I can on Invisalign, especially other peoples blogs. I'm excited about straightening my teeth but I am also very nervous! But the good thing is I won't have a mouth full of metal!!!