My Invisalign Treatment
Fourteen months into this journey I have decided to reflect on past blogs – where did I start, how has it been, where am I now? I remember looking in the mirror when all this began envisioning how my teeth might change and how my smile would improve. Dr. Gallagher and Dr. Kuhn – my Invisalign dentists laid out a scenario and we began.
Initially I was pleased at how much the aligners did not bother me. I began with a positive and hopeful attitude. During the past fourteen months there has not been pain, just some discomfort and uncomfortable sensation. I really believed that my teeth would move in perfect symmetry towards a perfect smile; that Invisalign treatment would make those asymmetric, shadowed front teeth of mine so much better.
Teeth Straightening
There has been significant improvement, but I feel like I am still fighting with my front teeth (central incisors). BOTH of them have moved, BOTH of them are straighter, better shaped, and better aligned in my mouth but they are still not working perfectly together. As individuals they are pretty nice, but now they are a bit different from one another – one has a straight bottom, one has a round bottom. One appears to have a flat surface and the other is more rounded. I thought that they were crooked, inverted even, but more or less the same? Symmetrical? Dr Gallagher tells me to be patient and promised that upon completion of this ‘refinement phase’ I will be pleased.
So, that is where I am. I just took another selfie for my TEETH ALBUM on my phone, and I truly cannot believe the change. I tremendously nick-pick, especially when it comes to myself. My teeth have CHANGED, and my smile is great.
That is where I am. I have no regrets at all about doing this and I wish I had done it a long time ago. I think of how I laughed covering my mouth so no one would see my teeth – I see people doing that now and I want to say, ‘CALL GALLAGHER AND KUHN DENTAL GROUP!’
Invisalign vs. Braces
I have written about the positive aspects of Invisalign and how much the technology changes to keep up with the needs of patients. Children are now using Invisalign to address palatal expansion of appropriate eruption of secondary teeth. If children receive Invisalign treatment they may decrease the need for traditional wire and bracket braces – WOW!
Older patients (60+) are embracing Invisalign treatment so they can keep the teeth they have, and minimize breakage, tooth loss, pain, and future expense – WOW!
Gallagher & Kuhn Maryland Dental
My adventure started out very simply, I wanted a nice smile, and I wanted to look better in selfies (how superficial of me). As I researched Invisalign and consulted with Dr. Gallagher and Dr. Kuhn I learned all of the benefits to my oral care, especially my FUTURE oral care. I have learned so much and believe that there should be no hesitation if patients are able to go on their own Invisalign journey.
Louise C.
