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