What it has been like to Wear Invisalign

One of the exciting things that happened for me, a 44 year old mom of 3, in 2014 was to get Invisalign. I am part of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board and received complementary Invisalign treatment. My Invisalign treatment started in May.  I got my ‘braces’ about the same time as my 13 y/o son got his phase I traditional braces off.  

Mother’s Day 2014 celebrating at a Ranger’s game with my mother-in-law.

Because I had braces as a teenager, I was expecting Invisalign to be uncomfortable and a big adjustment. What I found was surprisingly delightful.  My first set of trays were easily inserted and just felt snug.  I wore them all day/night except when eating (or when I forgot) for about 10 days and started all over again with the second tray. The second tray set were even less noticeable.  And the third even less. It was shocking how my life changed very little.  If I perceived removing the trays might be an issue at a business lunch or dinner out, I just removed them before I left home.  If I missed my 22 hours a day on a day or two, I just wore them an additional day before switching trays.  

Mountain biking in Winter Park with my older two boys and my dad, summer 2014.

In the fall, I got my attachments.  Attachments are little bumps that the orthodontist put on 4 of my teeth to help the Invisalign trays “grab” the tooth allowing rotation correction.  They are clear and I don’t even notice them in the mirror when my trays are out. The first tray or two after the attachments were the most uncomfortable.  They felt tighter than the changes I had experienced before, but so much easier than those traditional braces tightening memories!  Each transition with those first 2 post-attachment trays took 1-3 days to normalize. Since then it has really been uneventful.  I continue to move through the tray sets every 10-14 days.  One thing I really adore about Invisalign is that I visit my orthodontist infrequently (not that I don’t love him).  When I go in, I am giving a handful of tray sets to work through until the next visit.  

Exploring San Francisco with blogging partner & dear friend, Rachel – October 2014.

The best thing about my Invisalign treatment is how it is moving my teeth.  I was sitting at a friend’s house the other day and she looked at me and said, “your teeth are really looking good!” THAT is why I adore my Invisalign and the ease of treatment is just a bonus! Thanks so much Invisalign for being a Kids Activities Blog sponsor and letting me be part of this adventure!  All opinions expressed are my own.