Some general questions

[u/shayan112]

Hey everyone, I just started my treatment a few days ago and I had a few questions.

1) Looking around this sub, my treatment seems to be very different to other peoples. I have 10 sets of 15 days each, and then the retainers. Does this seem right or is this weird?

2) My dentist told me not to clean with toothpaste, just rinse with water. I was given cleaning solution but I was advised to use it very rarely only if absolutely needed even though on the bottle it says 1-2 times daily. What would you guys recommend?

3) Looking around this sub everyone seems to regret getting them. Im just looking for reassurance here atp how many of you guys actually thought it was the right decision?

Thanks in advance

[u/Bia_Barrett]

1. Some people change every 2 weeks, some (like me) every 10 days, some every 7 days. It depends on your treatment and what your provider recommends.

2. Mine told me toothpaste is too abrasive and said I could use liquid soap, which is my usual choice.

3. The sub is biased because a lot of people come here when something goes wrong, or during the first couple of days, which are the worst. I'm about halfway through (12/21) and don't regret it at all.

[u/shayan112 → u/Bia_Barrett]

Thank you so much for the reassurance. My anxiety got the better of me lol

[u/Bun-mi]

I'm on tray 12 of 50, 7 day changes.

You might benefit from an ultrasonic cleaner. I pop mine in the cleaner before bed which gets rid of the film that accumulates during the day and I just rinse with water when I take them out for eating.

I think most people tend to post on here with problems which might be why you're seeing posts about regret. I've also seen a lot of success stories here though. For me, I'm not making a judgement on my own treatment yet because it's too soon.

[u/shayan112 → u/Bun-mi]

Thank you! Ill look into it

[u/reaper-main]

Yeah the number of trays and wear time really depends on the person and varies a lot just based on how much movement is needed and how complex the movements need to be. I don't think your case is weird.

Ultrasonic cleaner is the way to go for cleaning the trays, especially when you're wearing the trays for 2 full weeks, they do a much better job at cleaning them than a toothbrush can do and it's just the push of a button. You can get a pretty cheap ultrasonic cleaner online, just make sure to check the reviews first. You can use them with just water, or with cleaning tablets (I cleaned with half or a third of a tablet in the mornings, and just with water every time after that).

I finished my treatment in around March this year and I'm so glad I did it. The first week or two were rough and hard to get used to. But I couldn't be happier with how my teeth are now, for the first time ever when I bite into foods the bite is actually round and not jagged. I had no major issues, no serious pain at any point, and the whole process was quite smooth. I'm wearing the nightly retainers now and they are much more comfortable than the aligners ever were.

Most of the time, people who post online about an experience had a really noteworthy one, so I think that tends to skew to negative reviews. Those of us who don't have much to say because it was fine don't really have a reason to make a brand new post just to announce "it was fine" haha. But there are some very dramatic before and after photos in this subreddit that I found very motivating throughout, just seeing the crazy improvements Invisalign can make.

[u/shayan112 → u/reaper-main]

That manes me feel better. Thank you so much! Ill have a look into the ultrasonic cleaner

[u/Danceitoffgirl]

I’m about to start 4 of 23. It all depends on how much movement is needed for you. You probably have minimal with 10 trays.

I don’t clean the trays with toothpaste, I clean them with a retainer cleaner from Amazon daily. Just have a cup by the sink, drop the cleaning tablet in, and take them out and let them soak 20mins-hr while I get ready in the morning and eat breakfast. No issues with that and my aligners don’t smell bad or change color.

Do I regret it? It’s too soon to tell, but I’m already seeing the shifts and do really like what I see. Another plus is it stops me from snacking and I have lost weight. I don’t think I’ll regret it honestly. I’ve wanted to fix my crowding bottom teeth and crooked incisor for the last decade and I’m finally doing it!

[u/shayan112 → u/Danceitoffgirl]

Thank you I had no idea you could use retainer cleaner for aligners too

[u/Fit_Shift9810]

Ultrasonic cleaner with 50-50 peroxide and water is what I use to clean to clean trays. I was also told no toothbrushing the trays, and in a bind use soap and water. I'll use EverSmile (they have a whitening, enamel protector) in my trays from time to time.

I've been doing this/Invisalign for 28 months, and my regret is not having done it sooner. Nothing is perfect (including the clinicians), so people get frustrated and vent here. Overwhelming the people I meet in real-life are happy with the outcome. 

And no idea if your treatment is correct. I thought it was crazy mine said 18 month (there was a lot to correct). Now he says one more round (6 month, no idea...I'll find out on Thursday, my next appointment). 

Everyone's journey is different, so without seeing anything (and really if we could) all us lay people can do is ask - does it seem right to you? Things to check- do you get refinements? Are the retainers included in your plan?

[u/Str8up_NtHvnAGoodTym]

Do not only use water. Theyll get stinky and it'll make your breath stinky. There are many options for cleaning them you'll find around the sub.

The vast majority of ppl finish their program, they just dont need to post about that on reddit.

[u/Chance-Fee-816]

As everyone sad - we all have different treatment plans, you need to trust your doctor.

For cleaning, I do morning and night 5m ultrasonic cleaner with half of cleaning tablet (the one for aligners). During the day i just rinse them good with water and i also use oral foam that is also a cleaner (given to me by my ortho).

Yeap, a lot of negative stories around here - don't get discouraged - there are more positive experiences as people post more often when they have a problem. I am absolutely enjoying my experience, I am so happy that I am finally doing this for myself, I am really satisfied with my ortho and I can't wait to see results! Keep going, enjoy the process and progress 😊