****This is a sponsored post**
Hello Loves!
I am so excited to share with you all my Invisalign journey. I was super excited that in early 2019 I got a message about collaborating with a great local Orthodontics office, called Premier Orthodontics. They have six locations all over the Valley here. I spoke with the owner Dr. Dustin Coles and we talked about my smile goals! Eventually, I was contacted that I was chosen for this collaboration and I could not contain my excitement! And now I can’t wait to take you along with me so let’s go!
Here is my before photo so you can see where I started.
This was right before going into the office for the very first time. I was a bit nervous but also super excited.
This is “my” office located in central Phoenix off Peoria Ave. Super easy to find and parking is never a problem.
They had some goodies waiting for me! I was so surprised by this detail.
After arriving I sat down with Jahaira, the treatment coordinator, who walked me through the process before meeting the doctor which was really a nice step.
I then was led out to the area so I could get my panoramic x-rays done so they could asses my teeth placement as they were in March 2019. Then I sat in a chair and they used a computerized wand to create a three dimensional mock up of my teeth, which was the coolest thing ever!!
The after the modulation was created, Dr. Sharma came over to explain all the images to me and talk about my treatment plan.
This consult time with Dr. Sharma was so great! She shows you exactly what your future progress with be, answers any questions or concerns and gives you a general idea of how long your Invisalign journey would be. This visit is where they order your trays and then set up your follow-up to return to the clinic for your first tray fitting.
Update: Second visit: June 2019
My next visit at Premier Ortho was right on schedule. The office called a few days prior to my appointment to confirm that my trays were ready. I got to the office that afternoon and to say I was excited was an understatement!
When I arrived they sat me in one of the dental chairs and then reviewed my box of trays with me. (my first box contains 15 weekly change out trays). They explained that once a weekly I would change to the next set of trays (the upper and lower set come in a sealed plastic envelope). Then came the surprise part haha! I obviously did not understand the part about the “attachments” correctly. Basically, small almost triangle shaped attachments are glued onto each tooth that needs to be moved or adjusted in a certain direction. I ended up with over 20 different spots on my teeth with attachments.
Later when I placed the first set of trays in my mouth I understood why! The attachments create almost a pressure like tight grip to help the plastic trays “MOVE” your teeth. Whoa! Ok so check out the videos below for my funny surprised reaction and trying to get used to talking with the trays in my mouth.
Update: August 19, 2019
I am on my last set of trays from this first box and have a follow-up later this week. So a few thoughts so far about my journey. First, of all “Owww” haha. Yeah I guess I didn’t expect to be as sore as I have been with some trays certain weeks. Now to be honest it is not all the time. So say for instance it usually lasts on days 1-3 at most with a new set of trays. Also not all tray sets are that tight. If it is too much try OTC Ibuprofen–I think I only took some one time.
Second, I devised a cute little carry case with all my essentials. A foldable, portable tooth brush that I picked up at Target. Then the travel sized tooth paste and some dental floss. I will not put the trays back in after eating until my teeth are brushed and ready again. I also did order a few things from Amazon, such as a tool to remove my trays (one too many times of chipping my nail polish and I was DONE). I also ordered some of the Chewies as spares to have around to get my trays to fit good and tight. Then I got some special sugar free mints that you can suck on while your trays are in place. I always used to have gum to chew during my long commute, but with my alingers in that can’t happen right now. These mints were the perfect solution for this. And finally, I got these dissolvable crystals to clean the trays better in between trays exchanges. Now you DO NOT NEED to buy anything extra. I like to usually jump into something new and go a bit overboard lol.
Lastly, my teeth…well how do they look. I have noticed in the last several weeks a huge improvement already. My appointment is this Wednesday and I cannot wait for Dr. Sharma to check it out for herself. I will also let you know that during this while process you are not supposed to whiten your teeth. This was another surprise to me! I drink red wine and tea all the time. I did ask why and the answer makes sense and is very simple..if you use whitening gel it will whiten your tooth/teeth but where each attachment is sitting will remain covered. Otherwise, you will have two colored polka dot looking teeth! No way! So best advice be patient.
Update: August 21, 2019–Third visit to Premier Ortho
This was a quick visit. They did another set of xrays (panoramic kind) and they used the computerized wand to recreate my smile as of today. All this will be sent to Invisalign to make my next set of aligners. As of right now I am down to my last two–the one I am currently using and one more. I won’t be back for 4 more weeks so I need to make these two sets last lol. Basically, I am to only wear them at night like retainers so the teeth don’t move back until my weekly aligners are ready for my next fitting! Nest appointment is mid September 2019. Sorry no real videos or pics from today’s visit. Next time!
Update: September 18, 2019
Things are moving along well. I am really seeing shifting of my front teeth, but I FEEL shifting in my molars. So as a Marisol Tip to you is get lots of dental floss picks. As you get used to eating with your teeth shifting…well lets say it doesn’t look cute to have food stuck in places. I also will be need more trays soon so those have been ordered. My next appointment will be in about 4 weeks when the new trays arrive.
Update October 2019
This was a quick recheck and tray pick up for me today. Dr. Sharma and I were working at replacing a few attachments that had fallen off. I got to see my latest scans and wow I’m so surprised with the progress so far. I have such high hopes for this all! Check out the latest pics from the visit and my after visit summary down below.
BEFORE
AFTER ( I used a scrolling text on the story oops I shouldn’t do that huh?!)
Update November 2019
Quick visit today and more scans to see my progress. Check out the videos below for the latest visit summary. This was the next morning and I am currently in tray 7 of these new trays!
Marisol Tip#2 WEAR YOUR TRAYS ALL THE TIME!! Haha no for real. Your teeth are really shifting at this point and you can really feel the difference with by this time. So don’t delay the progress and forget your trays in “your face”!
UPDATE DECEMBER 2019
This appointment was a quick recheck with Dr. Sharma again. I am on tray 12 of this set of trays out of 27 at this point. Also I’m wearing them almost one week long here. MARISOL TIP #3–Get yourself some INVISALIGN CLEANING CRYSTALS
This is not a sponsored link just my sharing my find with you all. Here is my Instagram stories from the next morning summary after this visit.
Update Jan/Feb 2020: I continued with the trays through the holidays. I went home for Christmas to Kansas City and of course took all my trays with me for this period.
Update March 2020: This visit I got to see Dr. Coles and I got some exciting surprising news. See the latest stories down below and the video of my progress so far. At this point I am on tray 23 of 27 in this current box.
Ok so this was my last visit for quite awhile. As everyone on the planet knows March 2020 the world changed as we know it. Premier Ortho sent my some refining trays and other things through the mail but at this point we had no idea how long we would be out of the office.
Update September 2020:
Well due to the length of time we we away from the process, a few things changed. Dr. Sharma was no longer with the practice but I started seeing Dr. Kothari (love her too!). They got new scans and and well it was decided to take me back a few months which was just fine with me as long I was able to progress and track again.
So from this visit I got BAGS of boxes of trays lol. I was to change my trays daily at this point. Now sometimes they still prettys tight so I was told it was ok to extend the use for 1-3 days out depending how I felt with the tightness and soreness. I was to continue this for quite awhile.
Update November 2020: This visit was at a different location due to my work schedule. I happen to live pretty close to 3 different locations. This was at their Union Hills new office.
So today I got some updated attachments on my teeth to help along the tracking of my teeth. You can see the new ones that were placed.
Update April 2022
I have been working with Dr. Neves for several months now. It has been so awesome meeting all the different providers at Premier Ortho and seeing how nice everyone of them has been. I was excited to see that I was almost done at this point. Plans were made to order my final retainer for home maintenance. This visit was also the removal of the funny little “knobs” called “attachments” that have been on my teeth. This visit they were removed and final photos were taken!!
And well that was my Invisalign Journey! It was so amazing to be chosen for this. I know I feel very lucky to have gotten this opportunity. A very big THANK YOU to PREMIER ORTHO and all the doctors and staff. Here is a final photo of my smile.
Update 2023
After some time of cleaning my final retainer. I have been using baking soda and white vinegar, but the reatiner remained cloudy. I didn’t want to get harsh chemicals to soak something that i will be putting into my mouth. I happen to be scrolling on Instagram and saw an ad for a ZIMA DENTAL POD. i reached out to the company and they were kind enough to offer me a discount so I could buy one. The Dental pod uses high-frequency 42,000 hz ultrasonic waves to vibrate the solution and produce millions of nano-scale bubbles. These bubbles rapidly expand and collapse, releasing a large amount of energy, continuously scouring and smashing the grime, bacteria and plaque while being non abrasive to your dental appliance.
Use my code MARISOL02957 for 10% off. My device came out sparkling clear like brand new! So worth it.