Invisalign – Post #3

Follow Jody's Invisalign journey as she shares her progress, challenges, and exciting improvements after reaching nearly the halfway point of treatment.

Expectations vs Reality

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One unexpected thought I had before starting Invisalign was that I might lose weight. Since the aligners need to be worn for about 22 hours each day and require brushing and flossing after eating, I assumed I would eat less. However, that wasn't the case. I've never really been much of a snacker, and I quickly realized that you can still consume plenty of calories within the short periods when the aligners are removed.

One habit that has changed, though, is chewing gum. Instead of gum, I now use my Invisalign Chewies to help seat the aligners properly.

Daily Routine

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At the beginning of treatment, I brushed and flossed after almost everything I ate. Over time, I've settled into a routine of brushing thoroughly in the morning and before bed. Whenever I remove my aligners for meals or drinks like coffee, I make sure to rinse my mouth well with water before putting them back in. Dental picks have also become a very useful part of my daily routine.

Progress So Far

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I'm currently wearing aligner number 8 out of a total of 17, so I'm almost halfway through my Invisalign journey. I'm running about one set behind schedule because I chose not to wear my aligners during a trip to Las Vegas. I was worried about losing or damaging them, so I simply continued wearing my previous set for an additional two weeks.

Even though the recent aligners haven't felt as loose by the end of each two-week period, I've had no difficulty moving on to the next set. Most of the tooth movement seems to happen during the first few days after switching aligners.

"Weight loss still comes down to calories in and calories out — apparently you can eat plenty of calories in just two hours a day!"

Seeing the Difference

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The most noticeable improvements have been in my bottom teeth, although I can definitely see changes in the top as well. My smile used to have more of a V-shaped appearance, but now it's gradually becoming a much more balanced and natural U-shape.

Every new set of aligners brings me one step closer to my final smile, and I'm genuinely excited to see the finished results.

Invisalign is a journey that requires consistency and patience, but the results become more noticeable with every aligner. If you're considering Invisalign, our team at Central Dental would be happy to answer your questions and help you determine if it's the right treatment for you.