I planned on writing a seven day journal entry for the first week, however, I decided I would update you about the last seven weeks in a blog style rather than a journal entry.
If you read my blog 'My Vogue experience; part one of many' you would know that in February I flew down to Melbourne to see the best in the biz (Dr Dee) at Vogue Dental Studios.
Week seven with Invisalign's... Let me tell you... The day after I got my Invisalign's (actually the second I left Dr Dee), I found it extremely difficult to take my Invisalign's in and out. We actually timed (and did a video) to see how long it would take me to learn how to take the aligners out... It took just over six minutes! That feeling I can't describe. I thought in that moment, 'Sh*t! when does this get easier? Will I ever be able to eat again?!' It honestly felt like it was never going to get easier. Dr Dee told me that within a matter of days I would get use to taking them out and putting them in. He was right (as always). Within the first few days I could get them in and out in the blink of an eye.
Day one to four was hard... I'm not going to lie. My teeth and jaws were (still are) moving... My mouth was so sore from the cuts and ulcers, constantly taking them in and out to eat, the feeling of my teeth getting brittle and the fear of breaking my teeth every time I take them out or put them in and bite into something (don't worry, you will not break your teeth, it is all completely normal). On top of that, my gums were sore from the top of the aligners cutting/rubbing into my gums (which is also normal), you can just file them down with a metal (clean) nail file.
By day eight I got the hang of it all. I wasn't as sore. My cuts were healing, my ulcers were gone... Day ten came around and it was time to move onto aligners number two! So, I change my aligners every ten days (your orthodontist will advise you with what's best to suit you). It is so easy to change them now, it takes me a split second. However... It still hurts. It's the motion you go through... Day one; new aligner, sore and tight while teeth are moving, OH and a sexy lisp. Day two to three; getting use to the pain, slowly getting better. Day four onwards; feeling so much better, lisp has semi gone and hardly any pain from the movement... Then, BAM! Finished Day ten and... Back at the start of the circle again!
Now, I know I asked for this, and I know it could be worse... I am not complaining... I am simply sharing my journey/experience with Invisalign's as open and as honest as possible! I know it's all worth it in the long run. I really can't fault the experience at all, Dr Dee and the team at Vogue Dental Studios are great, and they're always prompt with responding to messages etc. if you have any concern.
I am actually noticing changes already, even those who said they didn't think I needed Invisalign's can notice how much straighter my teeth are already. I still can't fathom the fact that these plastic retainers have so much control of your teeth! I haven't told Dr Dee this yet, he will probably laugh at me (he always does - I'm hilarious) BUT, I actually noticed that the reason I have a lisp the first few days after changing aligners is due to the aligner having a gap between the end of my tooth and the aligner itself.
(see really attractive picture with amazing angles below).
My teeth actually grow into the aligner, hence why by day five, my lisp has semi gone and the aligners fit a lot more comfortably. Saying it out loud actually makes me have a DUUUUH moment... *insert face palm emoji here*.
I am now on day 5 of my number six aligner... I have to be honest... Day two I actually hardly wore it at all (sorry Dr Dee) that's a slap on the wrist. I have up to number eleven which should take me up to June/July. So, in the next few weeks I'll be looking to book in with Dr Dee and make a special trip down to Melbourne to have a check up an pick up more aligners to continue my journey. Dr Dee said eight to twelve months with Invisalign's, for me (depending how things are going), if I keep having 'rest' days, things will take a lot longer!
That's pretty much my update on my journey with Invisalign's. I get asked questions quite a bit about my Invisalign's... So maybe the next blog update I will do a Q&A? Or I might even include the questions in my video diary with Dr Dee and the team at Vogue. Either way, any questions, please DM me on Instagram, or email me at enquiries@dkrnjaic.com.
For now, I sign off with a video that has some more attractive angles, the original goes for over seven minutes and all it was, was me struggling to remove my Invisalign's and Dr Dee laughing at me timing me. I was kind enough to post a shorter and poorly edited version.
I hope gives you a giggle or two...
Keep smiling!
Love,
D x