Quick update

Not much to say really. Am going to go through with the last 3 overcorrection trays of 9 tray set (refinements round 2) and then will reassess if I need to go to refinements round 3. Argggh... will post pictures once I get to tray 9. Just switched to tray 8 on Monday.

Refinements round 2!

Well, I knew it had been a long time since I updated but I didn't realize that I haven't posted since August!! Oh my - since then the snow has fallen twice where I live, halloween has past and we've even instigated a garden light war in our neighborhood.

And my teeth... well when it comes to my teeth I suppose there's two ways to look at it. On the negative side, I had to go through a second round of refinements after getting through my uber round of 20U/13L refinements. On the more positive side, there are only 6 trays (+ 3 overcorrection trays) and I have really little attachments (see if you can spot them) this time around.

I just saw Dr. A yesterday and things seem to be on track so far according to him (I'm a bit concerned about my uppers) and I as given my 4 through 6 trays. Pictures below and my next update to come in 6 weeks!

wheee.... refinements round 2!

Well the good news is that I had kind of been hoping at the beginning of this set of refinements that I'd be able to get my attachments off before an upcoming wedding where I'll be a bridesmaid and I now have my attachments off. I have exactly two weeks to whiten before then too! The not so good news is that Dr. A and I decided that I am probably going to go for another round refinements. I kind of guessed this would be happen given the length of time the appointment was scheduled for but still a bit disappointed that my treatment is going to take a while longer before it's finished.

It's like playing Monopoly - except every time I get close to getting back to GO, collecting my $200 and moving on retainers, I keep getting sent back to jail for an involuntary break from treatment and then it's back to crawling slowly toward the GO again. I'll get there some day, even if it takes all 3 sets of refinements...

Here are pics of every fourth tray of this set of refinements:

End of first set of trays

Refinement tray 4

Refinement tray 8

Refinement tray 12

Refinement tray 16

Refinement tray 20

Attachments off!

refinement tray 18U/12L update with pictures

Sorry for the lack of updates. I've been really busy these past couple of weekends between hosting and attending bridal showers, helping with a friend's wedding, and starting a new job. This is supervain but I'm really glad that my teeth are so much straighter now and I feel pretty comfortable (despite all the attachments) smiling widely whenever I meet someone for the first time. First impressions are important and I think mine is much warmer now thanks to invisalign.

I'm at bit behind on posting as I'm on upper tray 20 right now (out of 23 trays - last 3 trays are over correction) and will be seeing Dr. A in about a week and a half but I have feeling that I'm going in for new molds since I've been booked for a full hour rather my usual 15 minutes in the chair. I kind of wish this was all over with but at the same time I'm not quite happy with my teeth right now and will probably go for second refinements if that's what Dr. A suggests at the end of our next appointment.

Pictures (sorry my front teeth look a bit gross around the front attachments, they seem to stain more easily):

Refinement tray 16U/11L update with pictures

Since I've gotten my new front attachments, my teeth have felt really sore with every tray change. It kind of reminds me of my first series of trays. Hopefully, this will result in some big changes! I'm not sure what's going to happen after this current series

I had a chat with Dr. A about retainers as well. He usually puts in a bonded retainer on the lowers and an essix retainer on top because apparently having essix top and bottom takes some getting used t0 (too bulky?). Given that my regular dentist is strongly recommending removable retainers. I'm going to look into my insurance coverage to see if it will cover Vivera for the first year and then maybe I can just get the essix retainers once I'm into night time wear only. Anyhow, I think he's going to take a close look and determine if I need to go for another round of refinements after tray 20.

Pictures:

Kids do say the darndest things

So I was in between flights at the Seattle airport, brushing my teeth in the bathroom and generally minding my own business when a little boy (6 or 7) came up to me.

boy: what are doing?

me: brushing my teeth

boy: why are you brushing them?

me: to keep them clean

boy: but in a public bathroom?

me: that's because i'm not at home

boy: oh ok

Well that seemed to be sufficient explanation for him but it makes me wonder how many adults wonder but just don't ask...

Refinement tray 14U/11L update with pictures

I'm still here but I have to confess I'm getting lazier and lazier with my updates. In case you're wondering, I'm now changing up my lower trays (in my last 3 overcorrection trays) more slowly than my top ones to avoid wearing the last on for months on end. I've gotten a lot more questions about my invisalign (after close 1.5 years of wearing them!) since I got my new attachments. Mostly people are just curious or considering getting them themselves.

I've been a rather bad girl with my trays... Especially this past weekend since I was at an engagement party and a wedding. I managed to nurse a glass of wine, squeeze in a few courses without rushing and discretely brushed my teeth at the wedding and put my trays back in a few hours later without any trouble. What a far cry from the beginning of my treatment when I was hopelessly neurotic and on edge!

I've noticed since I've gotten my new attachments that my teeth are a lot more sore after each tray change and there seems to be some more visible changes in my teeth. For the most part things are pretty uneventful. Sometimes I feel like I want things to be over with and slow down at the same time (so that they can just as I want them before I finish this round). Most of the time, they're part of my everyday routine and I don't pay that much attention to them anymore.

Some photos: