Choosing Invisalign can be a big decision with many things to consider. In this brief interview with a real Saskatoon Invisalign patient, you’ll read about her experience of wearing Invisalign as she answers some of the most commonly asked questions we get from patients considering Invisalign. We hope this will appease some curiosity and help inform your own decision to start an Invisalign treatment. 

1. How did you first hear about Invisalign?

Patient: My dentist mentioned it to correct my bite. My teeth were really close together making it hard to floss and my bite connected on my front teeth rather than my back teeth. I wasn’t unhappy with how my teeth looked but I knew they could look better and that aligning my bite would allow me to preserve my smile into old age. 

2. What made you decide to choose this option over other teeth straightening treatments?

Patient: I would not have considered braces because I think of braces as something for teens and I am 40. Also braces seem really painful and they seem to take years. I liked the idea of just having these transparent liners that aren’t that noticeable and that can be taken out for special events.

3. How long did you wear your aligners, and how many sets of trays did your treatment include? 

Patient: I’m still wearing my aligners. My original treatment plan was 15 trays and we weren’t quite where we wanted to be after those, so I’m on an additional set of 10 trays now and hope they will be the last ones. Having to wear 10 more trays is a bit annoying when I thought it was only going to be 14 trays in total but I’ve come this far and I want to get it done right.

4. Were there any challenges about your Invisalign treatment, and how did you stay motivated to continue wearing the aligners throughout the process?

Patient: I love to drink tea all morning, sometimes for 4 or more consecutive hours and since I needed to wear my aligner trays for a minimum of 22 hrs per day, I had to drink my tea a lot faster. This lifestyle change was a challenge for the first couple of weeks. It was also challenging to get in the habit of flossing twice daily as is required when wearing Invisalign, but staying motivated wasn’t hard because I spent a lot of money on the treatment and I wanted to get the most out of it.

5. How did the aligners feel when you first started wearing them, and did you experience any discomfort during the treatment process?

Patient: At first it was painful and annoying to take the trays out. The first few days I was a bit worried about what kind of commitment I had made but by the end of the week I noticed how my teeth shifted quickly and it all became easier. Depending on the tray certain teeth can be sensitive. 

6. In your opinion, what are the main benefits of Invisalign compared to other teeth straightening options?

Patient: It’s less painful and less obvious. It seems to take less time than braces do.

7. Did you encounter any issues with the aligners fitting properly or staying in place, and if so, how did you address these issues?

Patient: No, everything seemed to work fine. The first week or two I worried that I wasn’t going to be able to take them off but I learned the best technique quickly. 

8. How did you find the overall cost of Invisalign, and did you feel that it was a worthwhile investment?

I thought about Invisalign for 10 years before I felt I was ready to make the financial investment, and I feel confident that this investment will mean less work on my teeth as I get older.

9. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their Invisalign treatment, in terms of preparing for the process and managing expectations?

I would just say it’s great, they’ll hardly notice it and really soon it will be over. The lisp might be strong at first but it will get better. I would also say it’s not very painful and the discomfort during the first week or two is totally manageable.

10. Finally, how has your experience with Invisalign impacted your overall dental health?

It’s easier to keep my teeth clean because they are no longer crowded so closely together. Flossing is much quicker than it was before, so it feels like less of a chore and I do it more often, which I know is great for my gum health as well as my teeth. Now that my teeth have shifted, I can see how much my bite was misaligned before the treatment. I know that when a bite is misaligned, teeth hit each other where they shouldn’t so the enamel wears away quickly, making teeth vulnerable to decay and not likely to last as long.

Your Invisalign Dentist is waiting for you at NEESH Dental
If you are considering Invisalign, you may also want to check our Invisalign FAQs. Or, schedule an Invisalign consultation here.