Realizations

I have come across a few realizations that explain some of the situations I previously wrote about. 1) the reason the top felt twisted or stretched on the right side is because the mold has an entire back tooth on the right side and on the left side the mold only shows half a tooth. So it's not going all the way back on the left, only the right. So it's not even. It hits pretty much the same place in the back, but it gets caught coming off the right side. 2) When I'm not paying attention, I have a bad habit of pressing my teeth down together. Not grinding, just clenching them I guess. I don't know why I do it, it's not a conscious thing, but I always catch myself doing it. It definitely doesn't feel good to do to teeth that are already sore. I need to figure out how to stop this habit! I especially seem to do it when I'm concentrating or something painful is happening, like the shot I had to get in my arm earlier this week! So the bottom teeth are still a little sore, especially because of all the teeth clenching, but they're doing pretty good. I'm in my habit and have gone through lots of gum, so I think it's all on track. I changed retainers next week so we'll see then.

Update so far

I think it's pretty safe to say I went through days of some of the worst pain I remember having with retainers. I heard it takes some pain to get your teeth used to moving again, but I don't remember it being this bad. My gums and tongue got cut by the plastic on the retainers and my teeth were really hurting. Brushing my teeth hurt incredibly bad. I took many breaks with my retainers out and found excuses to snack just so I could have them out for awhile. (Not a good idea to keep that up!)

After a few days (and lots of ibuprofen and aspirin), it faded into a sore feeling. Now my top teeth feel fine. Although it looks like the upper right side of the retainers bent or twisted a little, which has never happened before. It seems as if they're not hard enough, if that makes sense. The retainers aren't supposed to be malleable, but firm enough to force your teeth to move. I'm not sure what's up with that, but I'll have it checked out if it continues to worry me. I once again found myself almost liking the feeling of my teeth being held into position. The retainers hold your teeth and make them feel like they are where they're supposed to be.

However, the bottoms are still sore and uncomfortable. Tomorrow will be one week on this set, so it's moving along. I honestly wouldn't mind wearing them near as much if it wasn't for the pain. I definitely don't like that. I was asking myself why I did this again, as it was purely cosmetic. But it does make me feel better to have a smile I'm proud of. And the pain will be just a memory once it's all over. So I still think it's worth it. Ask me when it's time to change my retainers again...

The whole taking them out to eat/drink thing definitely took time to get used to. I still am getting used to it again. Having to say no when people offer you food because it's awkward to take your retainers out in front of people and frankly too much of a hassle for one bite of food. I keep gum stocked in my purse so I'm able to eat when I'm not at home, so it's not that bad. Once you get in the routine, it's a lot easier. I've done this before, so I'm familiar with the drill. That's pretty much all that has happened this update. Until next time, teeth out! (like peace out..nah didn't catch on)

It's a done deal

That's right. I am not sporting retainers again. And boy do they HURT. I've only been wearing them literally 30 minutes and it does not feel pleasant. But I know I'll get used to them. I took ibuprofen right when I got to my car, so it's bound to kick in eventually. I had to get LOTS of attachments. More than last time. I have 6 just on the bottom teeth. 2 teeth even have 2 attachments each. What?! They're tiny though. When they were putting the attachments on I guess they use clear goo and they can't really see it so they were trying to get all the excess off, but I kept making them check specific spots because it felt weird to bite down. DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY SOMETHING! Take it from me, better to say something and sound paranoid than go home with an uncomfortable mouth. They won't be open to help you at 11 pm when you can't fall asleep cause you're in pain.

I am having the problem again where the plastic is digging into my gums. Actual text I just sent to my dad: "Can you let me know when you get home? I may need some sandpaper to get through the night. I got my Invisalign back on today". So yes, that will be happening. Besides the pain, I'm doing fine with the whole process. And I'm guessing the pain will only last a couple days max so I'm good. Here we go. Round 2.

Invisalign Eve

On the eve of my second round of Invisalign treatments, I'm nervous, but ready to get it done and over with. I decided to take some updated pictures of the movement to share and so I can better keep track of my future changes. I'm just dreading pain and eating tomorrow (and the self-consciousness that comes with attachments), but hopefully I'm just overreacting! And that's very likely with me.

Here is just an overview of how my smile looks right now. Not horrible, but it was better when I first got done with treatment the first time. The bottom seems to be worse off than the top. Not that I'm complaining, but it's very visible my middle tooth line is a lot more even than it used to be. So that is an indictation of the movement, because when I was done with treatment, that line wasn't that even. It's not a big deal I guess whether it's aligned perfectly like this:

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or a little off like this:

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But the change in position definitely shows a post-treatment shift.

Here's a better look at the bottom. As you can see, there's one tooth on the middle bottom 4 that has moved out of line behind the others. And now that I'm looking at it, the one next to it looks crammed and sideways. The top appears to be fairly good to me.

Anyway just wanted to post some pictures before tomorrow. I will surely update soon to post what happened.

Here we go....AGAIN

So I just got THE call. My new invisalign retainers are in (and I will be needing attachments..ugh). I made an appointment for Wednesday, and suddenly all the memories of pain, hassle, and commitment are coming back to me. I am NERVOUS! I've done this before, but I'm thinking back to the first time I got them on and the pain that lasted for a couple days was so severe, I don't want to deal with that again. I do want my teeth to be as good as they were before they started shifting, but I'm just worried. He guessed it would be about 5 trays I think, so around 3 months. I've had them off for probably 9 months, so it's going to be weird getting used to them again. I will definitely be reading my own blog for some advice. I already stocked up on gum. And I have some clear mouthwash left from last time. I'll keep you updated. I know it will be worth it, but it's just going to be getting back in the routine and hopefully not having to worry about pain.