Update of my Richmond Hill Invisalign treatment!

I am now on aligner #9. I'm reaching the point where I have become used to the aligners, and it actually feels weird when I'm not wearing them. Everytime I switch into a new aligner, I notice my teeth are sore (because they're moving). To me, this soreness is comforting because it means there is movement happening. The soreness fades a few days after, and it doesn't come back until the new aligner goes in. I've already noticed some shifting in my lower centrals and canines. My lower centrals used to be over-crowded and my canines were rotated. Not only are they straightening out, but there's a nice space in between to help them move easier. It was very difficult to floss inbetween them, but now it's a breeze. My canines are also sore for a few days after I switch into new aligners, because they were really rotated.. My arch width will continue to expand betwen my canines, premolars, and molars. There's more movement to be done, but what a great start. It's really exciting to be able to see visible changes. Below are my progress photos, enjoy!

My upper occlusal

My lower occlusal

Until next time...check out my co-worker's blog for Toronto Invisalign! She's almost done her treatment! :)

Getting Used to Invisalign Attachments!

I'm now on aligner #6 of my Richmond Hill Invisalign treatment.. I have had my attachments on for just over a month. I have had to adjust what I eat to ensure my attachments stay intact. Avoiding hard, or crunchy foods help to prevent chipping or breaking any attachments. Keeping up with good oral hygiene has been easy. I have been brushing my teeth extra carefully because of my attachments. Using a whitening toothpaste is always helpful to prevent any staining to your attachments. I do drink a lot of tea, so this is especially important for me. It is also important not to clean your aligners with toothpaste. Toothpaste contains abrasive agents which can scratch the aligners and create pockets for bacteria to grow. Using water and a clean toothbrush is the best way to clean them. You can also the sonic cleaner that comes in your Invisalign care package. The sonic cleaner gently vibrates, which loosens any particles stuck to your aligners. When they might need an extra clean, you can put them in a cup with half water and half mouthwash. Only leave them in for a few minutes, the mouthwash is very powerful and should never be used at full strength on your aligner. Keep in mind when you are sick, you should be cleaning your aligners more frequently.

Below is a video of my treatment plan. This is a simulation, so it will not be 100% accurate. It just gives you an idea of what to expect. 

The countdown has begun. Approximately 11 months until I finish my treatment. I'm so excited, and I can't wait to start noticing changes!

First month of Invisalign in Richmond Hill!

Waiting for my Richmond Hill Invisalign after the scan, is the hardest part. My aligners have arrived, and I couldn’t be more excited! It took a few days to get used to them, and now I don’t even notice I’m wearing them. The greatest part is, no one else can tell I’m wearing them! The first few aligners gave me very little discomfort. I didn’t have a lisp when I initially put them in, and still don’t. It is important to keep the aligners clean, so they get a scrub down after they are taken out and before they go back in. They can never be too clean.

A simulation of my 12 attachments.

The next step is attachments, which are little bumps that get bonded to a particular tooth in order to rotate or shift the tooth in a specific direction. Above is a simulation of my attachments. They are clear, and not noticeable. I will be having about 12 attachments bonded to my teeth. The attachments are crutial for optimal shifting, so a lot of care is taken when bonding them to the teeth. It is important to regularly check your attachments to ensure everything is intact. A broken attachment that is ignored will delay treatment time. They are shown in red so they are more visible, but they are actually clear! Below are pictures of the hygienist preparing my attachments.

After the attachments are bonded, the aligners fit firmer. And the movement really begins! The evening I had my attachments put on, my teeth were a bit tender. But using the chewies really help to ease any discomfort. Chewies are little squishy tubes that are given to you in your Invisalign care package at the beginning of treatment. They increase blood flow, and soothe any pain you experience. My attachments will be on for the majority of my treatment. 

The Start of My Richmond Hill Invisalign Treatment with Dr. Jason Tam

Welcome to my blog! My name is Kristen and I am part of the reception team at MCO Orthodontics. We work with hundreds of Richmond Hill Invisalign patients every year from all over.  I had braces in my pre-teens and over the years my teeth have shifted (especially after my lingual retainer fell out). Becoming more and more noticeable, the shift in the alignment of my teeth started to bother me. Dr. Tam has given me the opportunity to experience Invisalign! I'm excited to say that I am no longer anxious about my teeth. I am counting down the days until my smile is complete again. After watching Dr. Tam transform so many smiles, it's now my turn! A second time around.  =)

Dr. Tam's plaque from Invisalign for oustanding case (2012).

Dr. Tam was asked to speak on behalf of Align Technology (the makers of Invisalign), and teaches general dentists and other Orthodontists about Invisalign. So he truly is an expert at what he does. And I know I'm in good hands.

To help track my progress, below are my initial photos taken before treatment!

November 2013

Because I've already had the traditional metal braces and don't want people to see metal on my teeth at this stage of my life, I've chosen to go ahead with Invisalign. For those of you who don't know what Invisalign is, I'll briefly explain. They are custom aligners made from a 3-D scan of your teeth. Each aligner will slightly and gradually shift my teeth based on the treatment plan that Dr. Tam has created. The length of treatment time depends on each individual case and whether you are a candidate will depend on what your teeth look like to start, and the experience of the doctor.

Here I am having my digital scan taken with the iOC scanner.  No impressions needed!

I've now started my treatment with an Invisalign scan. Dr. Tam will plan my treatment and I'm excited to start with my initial aligners in about 4-6 weeks. Can't wait!