Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Trays 13 & 14

Hi folks! Hope you have all been well in the final days of summer. Autumn is just around the corner!

It's been a while since I updated and that's mostly because I took an extended vacation at the end of August (as I mentioned in my previous post). My husband and I spent about 10 days traveling the interior of Alaska, mostly in a rental RV so life was very different for a while! This also meant that I had to wear tray 12 for 3 weeks instead of 2. Initially, I was super bummed out about it, but because we were always running around and road tripping, it actually worked out pretty well. I was a lot more lenient with the wear time of my aligners but because I wore them an extra week, it didn't prevent too much movement of my teeth. I also didn't have sore teeth on vacation so that felt nice! 

Side note: Alaska is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. It's so VAST and expansive. It feels like magic radiates from the ground. I have been in a weird depressed funk since we returned home a couple weeks ago. I never felt such a strong pull to go back to a place I've vacationed, even Hawaii! And I live in Santa Barbara, which a lot of people consider "paradise." Isn't it interesting how people always think the grass is greener on the other side? (Though, let's admit, Alaska is A LOT greener than California right now - #droughtlife!) 

I received tray 13 the day after I got back from vacation and had minimal IPR done. The tray was snug but not as tight as the one before. My teeth were still sore for about 4-5 days. I forgot to take a picture for that since I had my trays put in during the day (oops!). Last night, I put in tray 14 and I'm definitely feeling that motion today. Better whip out that ibuprofen!

My molars are still not touching in the back and it's become super frustrating. Chewing is actually harder because there are certain things that I can't grind down like I used to. Things like shredded carrots, green beans, and other skinny items aren't thick enough to be ground up but are too solid to swallow. So I'm a lot more picky about what I eat and as of late, it hasn't been a whole lot of healthy stuff. Generally, junk food is easier for me to chew so that's what I've been going with. Not super proud of it but what are you gonna do? Not eat?! [GASP]

As I've mentioned before, the yellowing is OUT OF CONTROL. But I can't be bothered to brush after lunch or when I eat out. Sometimes I barely have time to swish my mouth with water. So let's just pray the whitening treatment following my last tray will bring me a miracle! [insert praying emoji hands here]

Also, I'm able to feel the backside of my upper snaggly tooth almost entirely with my tongue. This provides a weird sensation because I'm not used to it. At first caress, I thought I had something stuck in my teeth so I was picking at it for a while before realizing "Hey, dumb dumb, that's your own tooth!" My teeth are looking exceptionally straight and my overbite is coming in stronger little by little. Check out pictures below!

September 20th, 2016

The photo below is deceiving because it looks like my molars are in fact touching, but they aren't! The space between them is small, but the angle that I took this picture is from above so you can't really see the space left in between. My guess is that the space is roughly 2-3cm. 

As always, thanks for reading. See you next time!

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Trays 11 & 12

My life has seriously been turned upside down. So much is going on personally and professionally - please excuse my delay in updates about tray 11!

I went in for my check up yesterday and to pick up my next series of trays. I needed a lot of IPR. At least 7 spaces in between my front bottom teeth were filed and 2 spaces on my top teeth. I don't remember my first IPR being that bad. It was painful at one point because the contacts have gotten so tight. My right lower front tooth is now quite smaller than the left one and that sort of bothers me. I wish they were worn down a little more evenly. 

After my IPR, it was time to put in tray 12. My top tray when in smoothly but my bottom tray caused my teeth to IMMEDIATELY radiate in pain. It has been BY FAR the most painful tray I have had (yes, even worse than the first tray). My dentist warned me that this one would be tough and because my next tray needs IPR as well, she didn't send me home with other trays. Because I will be on vacation in 2 weeks, I have to wear this tray for 3 weeks before getting tray 13. I'm bummed about that, but I think it'll be okay. Hopefully it'll give my mouth a chance to heal and I can be a little more lenient with leaving my trays out for longer periods while vacationing. There's a bright side after all...

If there's one weird thing I've noticed is that my molars don't touch when I close my mouth all the way with my aligners out. I try to make them touch but they don't. Not sure if that's from muscle memory (i.e. jaw muscle anticipating the trays) or if it's because of the way my teeth are placed. Just feels super weird. 

Posting pictures below of my last update and yesterday's update. Because I had IPR, I started wearing my new trays right away instead of at bedtime like I normally do so that's the reasoning for the lighting difference (daytime vs. nighttime). 

August 3rd, 2016

Look at that overlap!!! 

August 17th, 2016

 After IPR - now you can see more gaps in my lowers. Also see how the teeth are different sizes (one much smaller in the front) I mentioned above? But at least that lower snaggly tooth is pulling forward!

 Top snaggly tooth has been noticeably tamed these past few weeks!

 UGH - this yellowing/staining is getting OUT OF CONTROL. I don't even drink that many colored beverages!!! *sobs*

...okay I am being dramatic. But seriously, this is embarrassing. 

As always, thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Honey Lea 

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Tray 10

Lots of crazy stuff happening the past couple weeks. Only posting photos because that's all I have time for and I don't want to get behind in my posts. Tray 11 goes in on August 3rd! 

July 20th, 2016

If you look closely at the photo below, you can see what appears to be a black crack on my lower incisor. This is actually staining buildup around the glue that binds the attachment to my tooth. I have them on both bottom incisors and it is driving me CRAZY!

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Tray 9

Hi everyone - I am here checking in once again on my invisalign trays. I am now 1 week into Tray 9 which is very exciting. Only one more tray and I hit double digits! I believe I am now closer to finishing my treatment then to starting my treatment. I feel SO impatient - I just want it to be over now!

I saw my dentist last week and she told me a couple pieces of VERY good news: 1) I have 17 trays (not 20, like I originally thought). This is because she pads in an extra 3 trays in case I need any revisions, which brings me to my next point 2) My dentist said that it is very likely that I will not need ANY revisions! She said that I am progressing exactly how I should. I haven't had to wear trays for extra time and my teeth are moving well. She also gave me my next 3 trays! GO ME!

One thing that is really bothering me, however, is the staining and yellowing of my teeth. It is getting out of control! The rings are become much more prominent and I have just now noticed that the inside of my teeth have a thin, dark line along the gum portion of the tooth in the exact same shape as my trays. I mentioned this to my dentist and she said that part of my treatment plan is to receive professional whitening once I get my attachments off. I literally cannot WAIT for that to happen. I'd post a picture, but I am far too embarrassed of the situation. *cringe*

Thinking about it now, I wonder if the staining is due to the fact that I don't brush my teeth each time after I eat? I only floss and mouthwash, though sometimes I run out of mouthwash and just have to use water. Perhaps that's contributing to my staining?

Anyway, I am noticing lots of improvement this week in the movement of my teeth. These trays fit me pretty well right off the bat and didn't cause too much aching. A couple teeth on the bottom were sore because they are moving to the side. The gap I had is now closing up and isn't as obvious. I think they are making room for that lower snaggly tooth to be brought forward. The only thing that kicks me right in the OCD part of my brain is that the mid-line of my top and bottom teeth are not going to be centered above one another. It wasn't truly centered before but now it'll be much more dramatic. My natural smile doesn't show my bottom teeth so I'm not SUPER disappointed, just a little annoyed. 

Okay, enough blabbing - updated pictures are below.

July 6th, 2016

Look at that over-jet!

Moving that snaggly tooth forward!

Staining. :( 

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Tray 8

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay here - I am posting about a week later than I wanted to but life got in the way! I switched to tray 8 a week ago and, thank heavens, this tray wasn't nearly as bad as the tray before! A little pressure, as per usual, but no pain! I'm also seeing HUGE differences in my teeth, especially when comparing to my 'before' photo. It's amazing! By half way (tray 10) they should look pretty much straight with only minor adjustments thereafter. That means I am only 2 trays away from that! YAY!

This is also the longest I have gone between trays without seeing my dentist. She usually gives me 2 trays each visit and this time I got 3. I think that means she's confident in my self-discipline? It's nice not to have to visit as often though. My next appointment with her is in a week and I'll be getting tray 9 and hopefully tray 10 (double digits!). 

One not so good thing I have noticed is that I am getting pretty severe staining along the bottom of my teeth. I have golden 'C' shaped rings along the gum-portion of the tooth. This follows the pattern of my invisalign trays. NOT HAPPY. My teeth have definitely gotten more yellow over the course of this treatment and I think part of the reason is that I am not allowed to use whitening toothpaste. This is because they don't want to leave a stencil where your attachments are, so I have to wait to do all my whitening after I get my attachments off. I think I get them off around tray 17, so I have to wait about 4 1/2 more months. :( I'll post a photo below so you can see what I am talking about. I only drink 1 mug of coffee in the morning and sometime ice tea with lunch. I'm really cutting back on my colored beverages so not sure why my staining is so bad. I am really bummed out by it!

No other news to report. I'll post updated photos below along with a comparison with my 'before' teeth. I am looking forward to a nice 3-day weekend celebrating this beautiful country I live in! What are your plans?

June 22, 2016

Look at that overjet coming in!!!

You can really see movement of that bottom snaggly tooth!

Upper front teeth moving more outward.

 The 'C' shaped stains along the gum portion of my teeth - UGHHHHH!!!!

Here's the comparison from Pre-Invisalign and after finishing tray 7 (of 20). Looking pretty good!

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Honey Lea 

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Tray 7

Hey there! Here we are again with another tray update for you. I'm on day 2 of tray 7, which has been by far the most painful tray since my first. I've got sores on my tongue AGAIN and my front teeth (top AND bottom) hurt so bad that I can't focus. The discomfort hasn't been so bad the last few trays but this one has me feeling little nuggets of regret just to escape the pain!

However, I have noticed a difference already! My lower snaggly tooth is really being pulled forward with this tray and you can already see it. My upper snaggly tooth is being brought down and I can see a little change, though I do feel it more than I see it on that tooth. Still got a sliver of a gap between my 1 upper front teeth. But I am noticing more of an overjet which is pretty exciting!

Generally, I've been getting lazier and lazier about the 22 hours/day rule. I am hitting closer to 20 hours a day as I've been eating more frequently and not being as diligent about putting my trays in after meals. This is probably why my teeth hurt so bad this tray - it's my own damn fault! 

June 8th, 2016

Look at those bottom teeth lining up! 

 Upper teeth getting pulled more forward.

Until next time!

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Tray 6

Hi everyone! Honey here with my next update. Last night, I switched over to tray 6 and I am really noticing changes this time around. My upper teeth are definitely overlapping my lower teeth way more then they ever have and it feels AMAZING when I bite down without my aligners! Also, my lower snaggly tooth is lining up so much! I really see the difference and my dentist has noticed it as well! Overall - things are still status quo. I'm still using my electric toothbrush for the first few days when I put in a new tray and it helps the teeth "wiggle" into place a little better. My teeth are pretty sore today though. Really feeling it in my upper snaggly tooth. 

Not much else to report on. Pictures below.

May 25th, 2016

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Update - Tray 5

Hello everyone! It's hard to believe that I am already 25% of the way through my treatment! How crazy is that? 

I popped in tray 5 last night. It wasn't as tight as tray 4 but I'm still feeling a lot of pressure. I'm not relying on as much ibuprofen so that's exciting. I haven't noticed any noticeable changes since I posted about my gap. Yet again, everything is pretty status quo.

I am noticing that it's getting harder for me to stick to the 22 hours/day rule. I am definitely getting lazier with the maintenance as well. Just overall feeling really annoyed when I can't eat things people offer to me because I JUST flossed or brushed my teeth. In a way, it's been nice as I am trying to eat better and get healthier. On the other hand, I've been doing some rigorous workouts and trying to build muscle so I can't keep up with the eating 6-meals a day crap. I think I am going to try a post-workout whey protein powder shake to try and get some protein and calories in me fast and easy. That's also better to work around with the aligners. 

Here's some photos I took last night before popping in the new trays. I will say that the new trays have some weird impressions on the upper teeth to pull the front ones forward and they have been MURDERING the inside of my lip (tray 4 had these as well). My whole mouth area is just getting beat up by these trays - cheeks, lips, tongue, ugh! So if you notice dry/sore spots on there, that's why. Oh and can we talk about how much lip product these aligners collect? IT'S INSANE. 

May 11th, 2016

(Tiny gap forming in between 2 front teeth)

Noticeable overlap of the top teeth, FINALLY!

As always, thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Hygiene Update

I spent a much needed 4 days in the California desert attending the Stagecoach country music festival over this weekend. It was awesome and we had such a blast - however, I have many things to share for Invisalign users!

Let me just start by saying that festival food (and snacking in general) SUCKS when you have Invisalign. I have to be very strategic on when I eat and then floss and swish and ughhhhhhh. Now imagine doing that at a festival with stinky portable bathrooms, no running water, and fatty foods. It was the worst. I stopped fussing as much as I usually do just because it was too hard finding water that I didn't have to pay $10 for. One of my snacks was a pretzel with mustard and now my trays are YELLOW. Like, really yellow! 

I also didn't bring my denture cleanser with me because I thought it wasn't a necessary packing item. For the first time since I've had my aligners, I can say that I see that "foul odor" everyone talks about and it makes me realize just how important my denture cleanser really is. I brushed my aligners twice a day and rinsed them whenever I could and the odor was STILL really bad! Not to mention the discoloration! 

So overall, I can safely say the denture cleanser isn't just nice - it's a necessity!

Also, in other news, I have my first gap! I have always had the TIGHTEST contacts on my teeth, so to see a gap is really awesome. As weird and goofy as that sounds, its a visual reminder that my teeth are moving and I am getting closer and closer the end of my treatment! Photo below...

May 3rd, 2016

Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Tray 4 Update (Invisalign)

Hey there! I'm back with an update - I've switched to tray 4! I'm only on day 1 but I've already seen such a difference!

I went in for my monthly check up yesterday and my dentist noticed that my teeth haven't been moving as much (tray 4 fit very tight). I've definitely started to become more lazy in my "22 hours a day" adoption. Over the past 2-3 weeks I've received a lot of criticism for being an "Invisalign Nazi" (meaning that I need to tone it down and not be so strict about my routine). Well look where that got me now! *sigh*

I waited to put tray 4 in again until just before bedtime last night. I already felt the tightness and pressure just 15 minutes in. I REALLY feel it in my upper front teeth and the aligners have little bumps on my 2 front teeth that weren't on the other trays. I think my upper teeth are going to start being pulled to the front (outside of my mouth). I can barely close my mouth all the way with the aligners in. Starting my bucktoothed part of my journey....

Anyway, I am stocking up on ibuprofen today and going to try and be better about this darn 22 hours a day rule - especially for the first 48-72 hours of a new tray. My dentist also told me to use my electric toothbrush on my aligners at night before bed to help them "vibrate" into place. I tried it last night and it was a super weird an uncomfortable feeling. She said it is the cheap version of  "Acceledent." Wish me luck (before and afters are below)!

April 27th, 2016

Last Update

Pre-Invisalign

 

Here's the Deal: Tray 3 Update (Invisalign)

Hi everyone! Just checking in for a quick update. Last night, I switched to tray 3 of my Invisalign treatment. It's definitely tight and I'm really feeling the pressure in my lower front teeth and canines. I can see a difference too! Small and probably only to me, but I really see and feel it in my front bottom teeth. Those 2 are almost totally straight!

Not much else to report on. Everything is status quo. Posting photos below (excuse the chapped/patchy lip - Invisalign causes the worse chapped lips!). Will check in again later - thanks for reading! 

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Just before Tray 3 (April 13th, 2016)

Normal smile vs. open smile (still have a gap in my lower front teeth!)

Side angle - I need to start including this more. You can really see my edge-to-edge problem here. My upper front teeth are SO vertical!

Last update (for comparison)

Pre-Invisalign (for comparison)

Here's the Deal: Tray 2 Update (Invisalign)

Hi friends!

I'm about 5 days into my second tray and I've noticed some changes that I'd like to share (pictures included below for reference). 

I realized that I wasn't taking an "open bite" picture and so my lower "snaggly" tooth is hidden and you can't really see the progress, so I am throwing one in today. You can really see how jagged my upper front teeth are when I do that. They've been chipped and thinned from my lowers, particularly so in the past 5 years. Additionally, the teeth on the other side have widened and straightened out ever so slightly and now you can see little gaps in between my teeth (dark spots between my gums and teeth on the lowers)! This is super weird because my contacts have always been really tight (flossing was always such a workout!). I don't know if this is from the IPR, my teeth moving, or my constant flossing. Aesthetically, I don't like the way it looks, but I feel like it's a visual reminder that my teeth continue to move - so yay!

I have yet to notice changes with my upper teeth. The aligners feel tight and restricting on my front teeth but otherwise no changes. Really looking forward to my next set of trays already! 

Tray 2 (April 4th, 2016)

Pre-Invisalign

Tray 1

xoxo,

Honey Lea

Here's the Deal: Invisalign Tray 2

Annnnnnnnd I'm officially on tray 2! Yesterday I had my 2 week check up with my doctor (which went well) and she gave me trays 2 & 3. She had to do a little more IPR (teeth shaving to make space) in the same space she did as last time (on my lower front teeth) but other than that, she said things looked good!

I read online that's it's better to start a new tray right before you go to bed for a couple reasons: 1) if you couple it with ibuprofen, you sleep through a lot of the discomfort and 2) it gives you 8 (hopefully) full hours of consistent wear. The first 48 hours of a new tray are critical for you to hold to the 22 hours/day rule, so it also helps align with that theory. 

I woke up today feeling mostly good. One of my lower teeth is a little sore, but really not that bad. The biggest thing I noticed was that the edges of the trays are a little sharp - very much like when I got my first tray. I may try to file them down like I did before depending on how annoying it gets later today. Also, I am still sticking with the same hygiene routine as I mentioned in my last post and it's going well. I never noticed a foul odor with tray 1 as other people have told me would happen, though when I take my aligners out for dinner there's definitely an "off" odor. It isn't very offensive (to me at least) but it goes away when I brush the aligners at night. I also think that denture cleanser really does the trick for morning breath!

So far, I don't really notice much of a difference in my teeth other than my bite. My outer most lower front tooth hits my upper tooth EVERY TIME I chew and that's not just annoying, but painful. So I have to be careful when I eat and not bite down all the way. Not sure if this is from my tooth moving or if my bite has changed? I can definitely bite down further with the trays in (as seen below).

Tray 2

(March 31st, 2016)

Tray 1

(March 16th, 2016)

Will be back for another update when there's another item to report on! 

xoxo,

Honey Lea