Invisalign attachments were not exactly what I thought they’d be. First, I didn’t realize how long it would take. My appointment lasted an hour. That is probably because I had quite a few attachments to put on my teeth. With an overbite, asymmetrical bite, space between my front teeth, etc. it takes quite a bit to straighten that out. I also didn’t realize the attachments had to be “filed” down and smoothed. The tool they used looked and sounded like a drill. Some of my gums have receded due to my “age” and when the clinical assistant got close to the gum line, I could feel it! But she was very aware of this and did her best to reduce any pain that I might have felt. She never actually touched the tooth but I could feel it in the nerve a tad. I just kept reminding myself of the beautiful smile I would have at the end of the treatment. Another aspect of Invisalign attachments that I hadn’t anticipated was eating with attachments. Food definitely gets caught around the attachments which makes me definitely want to brush my teeth after I eat. I’ve been quite vigilant about brushing my teeth before I put the aligners back in but now, even more so.
I was really excited about this Invisalign attachment appointment because I knew the attachments would take the teeth straightening to a whole new level. At age 42, I’ve waited quite a while to get my teeth straightened so I’m on the edge of my seat waiting to see a change in my smile. With this blog, I want to be honest about my experience both positive and negative. I want readers to realize the “no pain, no gain” aspect of Invisalign. It is definitely better than metal brackets that you can’t take out and that food really gets stuck in. I love the aspect of being able to take the aligners out. If I’m at a party or work function that involves eating, I just take them out and put them back in when I leave. I actually like wearing them over taking them out because they fill in the space between my front teeth and already make my smile look a lot better.
I was with two friends today and they offered me a snack to eat. I turned it down because my aligners were in and I didn’t want to take them out, eat, brush my teeth, and put them back in just for Cheezits (less snacking, another benefit.) So I told them I was wearing the aligners and I didn’t want to take them out. They were shocked. They had no idea I was wearing them, even with attachments! And they had never heard of Invisalign! I got to educate them on this amazing teeth straightening treatment! They couldn’t believe you could take them out and that you couldn’t see them. That was very encouraging to me.
I don’t go back for another 7 weeks. Next week I change my aligners for the first time. I’ll let you know how that goes. In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions. I’d be happy to answer them!
-Melissa
Currently blogging myself. I haven’t put up any video or pictures yes. I really appreciate your video! I am anxiously awaiting my aligners now.
Thanks for the updates!
Thanks for the comment! How has the Invisalign process been going for you?
Do they rotate your attachments?
I got my Invisalign yesterday. The first two sets are just clear with no attachments, then in a month I get them! I’m scared as they look “invisible now” but with the bumps it’s a lot more obvious. I think they are adding 8.
The attachments simply help secure the aligners. They make Invisalign much more effective. If you get REALLY close, you can see them. But keep in mind they are MUCH less noticeable than braces!!! Keeping the end result in mind, it’s well worth it! (And the attachments are not rotated – just removed at the end. And some can be left off if too notieable!)
I just got my attachments in today and I can tell they do look invisible noe…. but do they get stained by coffee or or other drinks? do they start to yellow over time?
I know this is kind of old but I wanted to share my experience thus far.
34 y/o male currently using invisalign and just got my attachments and carriers put on Friday. My top teeth need to move out towards my cheeks and my lower teeth need to move in away from my cheeks and my lower teeth need to come forward towards the front of my mouth so my bite will be correct. I have a total of eight attachments (they call them buttons) and the two carriers. Four buttons are on the outside of my lower teeth and the other four are on the inside of my upper teeth. The carriers are attached right behind my canines. I have to wear a total of six rubberbands for the next six months, ugh. From my experience thus far: it sucks lol! The aligners did not effect my speech at all (At least the bottom hasn’t. I won’t start my top aligners until the carriers & attachments come off) but these buttons and rubberbands have for sure. It is very difficult to enunciate “sh’s” and “ch’s” and I now have a mild lisp sometimes when talking. The buttons on the inside of my upper teeth absolutely kill my tongue…sometimes to the point where I simply do not want to talk. Eating is now a chore which stinks because I eat small meals every 2-3 hours or so. But even though this part of the treatment is a royal pain it is much better than regular metal braces and honestly I wouldn’t go back and change my decision to do this because it will all be worth it in the end. And fyi prices are different everywhere but here in Lynchburg, VA the invisalign was only $500 more than the metal braces and it is totally worth it. My cost for treatment is $5,450.