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.

I get to....

GO BACK ON INVISALIGN TREATMENT. That's right, I have to go back on retainers for probably 5 trays my orthodontist guessed, so that's at least 3 months. I never thought I would have to do this again, but my teeth moved so I have to. I'm not upset, just shocked. I had to get molds done again (my very least favorite part). I gagged at least 4 times and almost threw up on the hygienist, but they are all done and sent away to invisalign. I may have to get attachments again. I'm a little nervous for the pain, but mostly I just want my teeth back to looking good. Then when I'm all done, I will have to wear an invisalign retainer at night instead of my other one because it didn't work. Overall, I was very impressed with my orthodontist and their ability to help me out. Plus he said it wouldn't cost me anything. Which is amazing, since I already spent a lot on these teeth!

UPDATE & movement?!

So it has been quite some time since I wrote. I got used to my night retainers, but they didn't seem to really keep my teeth in place. They were sort of loose and basically just had a bar in the front. They weren't tight fitting like the invisalign retainers that had a spot for every tooth. There were a couple nights I didn't wear them (because I was sick and really didn't want to throw up or hack with retainers in) and I noticed a couple weeks ago certain teeth were moving back! I was so angry! One tooth on the bottom is now unaligned with the rest and the top problem tooth seems to be moving back in the direction it came from. I guess the retainers weren't tight enough or maybe I should have worn them more than just at night? No clue what happened.

So naturally I called my orthodontist, even though it has been probably 6 months?, and they unfortunately couldn't get me in for 3 weeks because he was going out of the country. So I will be going back to hear what they have to say. I am nervous because 1) I'm afraid they can't do anything or I'll have to pay a lot OR 2) If I do have to get new retainers, it is almost guaranteed to hurt. And having to go through new molds (ICK!) But I'd rather have nice teeth than worry about a little pain. I'm thinking original invisalign retainers should be the best solution. But I also don't know because they weren't enough to originally correct my bite. I guess I will not know until I get there. But I just wanted to provide an update. I can try to get pictures to show the movement, but we'll see.

OH NO!

So I have just been bad. I have just been wearing the new bottom one and the old top one still. Last Thursday I came home completely tired and forgot to put my retainers in before I fell asleep. I woke up and my teeth felt fine so for the next 4 days I wore NO retainers to bed. Then Monday my teeth were so sore. I couldn't figure out why. I was randomly watching youtube videos about teeth whitening and it dawned on me why my teeth hurt...they were moving BACK! I jumped up and ran to the bathroom. I put my bottom retainer in and it fit great. The top one, which was the invisalign one, didn't fit at all! It hurt to snap in, which clearly showed in 5 short days my teeth had moved enough to not be in place. I was freaking out. SO I forced myself to wear my new top one to bed. It was so gross because the saliva problem, but I just forced myself to do it. It was hard! I tried to keep my tongue from moving to the top, and after about 15 times slurping up my spit (gross I know) and 3 times taking the retainer out to dry it, I fell asleep. When I woke up my mouth was still saliva-y, but it stayed in all night. And my teeth feel so good this morning. My bite feels great. I don't know if I totally ruined my progress, but I will be forcing myself to wear those retainers from now on and night.

I read it takes you mouth muscles or whatever 9 months to realize their new position. I'm hoping to wear these for awhile and correct my bite for good. (Also hoping the saliva problem will go away when my mouth gets used to them) Then I really hope I can get new molds and get invisalign retainers for night because they are so much more pleasant to deal with, but we'll see. My orthodontist hasn't called to check in since 2 months ago when I was there last. So it's all up to me I guess.