I just finished 2+ years with Invisalign. Did it work? Yes. Did I hate it? YES!
When my daughter was getting braces, I figured it was a good time to fix my own teeth as well. I was working remote, so nobody would really see it anyway. I would also be at the orthodontist every minute for the next two years, so why not fix my own teeth while fixing hers. It was going to be very expensive, but you know.
I did have braces as a kid, and like all of us, never wore the retainer or paid much attention to the shifting. Cut to 30 years later and it really drove me nuts. I figure if I’m paying $300 per month for her braces, what’s $200 more per month for Invisalign. (Yes, these are monthly payments over years, and insurance barely pays a cent, as you all know!)
The thing about Invisalign is that it seems so harmless! What’s the big deal, you wear these clear aligners that come in and out like a breeze. Easy peasy, right? WRONG. They sell you a story with Invisalign, and it all starts with “you’ll only need it for a year”. That’s BULLSH*T. Nobody needs them for only a year. It’s ALWAYS (I’ve spoken with many people at this point) 2-3 years. And there’s no additional cost, so it’s not like they’re trying to get more money from you, it’s the fact that NONE of us would agree to anything that lasts 2-3 years!
With the promise of a year and needing a few brackets (some people call them buttons or attachments, they’re the clear things that get glued to your teeth), you think it won’t be that bad. But the few brackets— in my case— were 17. SEVENTEEN brackets glued to my teeth! You can’t hide them! You can’t eat! Forget a sandwich or anything you have to bite into. Basically, try Invisalign before Ozempic. Invisalign is the way to eat less/lose weight.
Caring for them is also annoying, since you have to constantly brush and sanitize them. And your mouth in the morning…wow..it’s foul. Also— you don’t just magically click the Invisalign (they call them trays) in and out of your mouth. You need an actual HOOK to remove them. A HOOK! Everywhere you go, you need to carry your aligner case and a HOOK!
Well if misery loves company, I’m certainly not alone in my absolute hatred of Invisalign. There are tons of social posts about moms feeling the same thing. The question is why didn’t I read these first? And would I have listened?!?
Here are some good Reddit threads telling the truth about Invisalign:
Does anybody else absolutely hate Invisalign?
I’ve been doing this for 3.5 years and I’m so done.
Not what I expected. I feel duped!
One guy even wrote an I hate Invisalign song!
So does Invisalign work for moms?
YES. It does work, and it’s less embarrassing than wearing braces.
Do women’s teeth shift as they get older?
Yes! YAY! Another great thing to discover about aging! According to the American Association of Orthodontics, yes, women’s teeth do shift with age, a process accelerated by menopause-related declines in estrogen, which lower bone density and weaken the jawbone supporting the teeth. Other factors include gum recession, tooth wear, and the natural, gradual movement of the jaw, often causing crowding in the lower front teeth. (Well-that explains it!)
How much does Invisalign cost?
For me, I think the cost was around $4k. The average is $4-6k.
How long do you need to wear Invisalign?
The truth? It’s for the rest of your life. You need to wear the aligners every night to sleep because if you don’t they move back! I’ve heard it happens quickly! So you need a nighttime retainer, which is about $200 per year/each time you want a new one. And don’t worry, they get you on a subscription so you don’t ever forget.
Bottom line on Invisalign for moms:
It’s gross, it’s smelly, and you’ll never sleep or breathe the same again. But sh*t, your teeth will look good.
Next up…teeth whitening products for when the Invisalign comes off, because you can’t use any whiteners while the freakin buttons are glued to your teeth.
