Secret Style Suite at BlogHer 2011
A few weeks ago I was at Blogher 2011. This was my third time at Blogher but this was a little different. This year I applied for a makeover in the Secret Style Suite...
Finishing Invisalign Treatment
Finishing Invisalign
It has been over a year since I first joined the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board and started Invisalign. About two months ago, I finished my last of trays and am proud to say that I am officially an Invisalign graduate. As adults it's a well-known fact that we can't bury the awkward and embarrassing memories we have of our teenage years, try as we might. The photographs on our parents mantles or stuffed away in an overflowing photo album won't let us forget our blemishes, gawky appearances and questionable fashion sense.
One thing that stands out in my memory as a teenager more clearly than anything else are my own insecurities when it came to my appearance, namely my smile. Unfortunately for me I wasn't blessed with flawless teeth like some of my friends; I have a few imperfections that I always disliked through my growing up years and I never got braces. This is a common problem for children, teenagers and adults alike but especially something that teenagers agonize over.
About Invisalign
Designed by Align Technology, Invisalign are clear aligners designed to do the job of regular metal braces without all of the clunky gear. Created in 1999, Invisalign made their way onto the Orthodontic scene officially in 2001 and had manufactured over 1 million aligners. By combining digital treatment planning and mass-customization, with shape-engineering based on biomechanical principles, Align Technology has revolutionized the Orthodontic industry with their “invisible” aligners.
Invisalign (a discreet clear aligner option) is the innovative way to straighten your teeth without all the hassle of traditional braces, which makes it especially perfect for teenagers who are considering getting braces. If you have a teenager who needs braces and who are weighing their options, I've compiled a list of reasons why the Invisalign System is a great option to take into consideration, especially if you’re looking for the top alternatives to traditional braces:
- Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign is free of metal brackets, wires and the discomfort associated with installation.
- Freedom. With traditional metal braces you're weighed down with the rules and regulations that come with maintaining your braces. There are no food restrictions or multiple step processes to cleaning your aligners.
- Straightens your teeth while being virtually invisible without the awkward and sometimes embarrassing metal mouth that could lead to self-consciousness and teasing by peers.
- Office visits only between every 4 to 6 weeks so you're not constantly in and out of the dentist office for adjustments.
- No mouth sores, discomfort or other related injuries that often occur with metal braces. Thanks to the soft plastic material it's made of, your aligners will never cause you pain.
- Treats a wide variety of dental cases such as crowding, gaps, spacing, crossbite, overbite and underbite.
How Invisalign Works
Invisalign works by creating a series of custom-made aligners that are made exclusively for your mouth and your specific dental needs. Each aligner is made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you slide in over your teeth. Over time the custom-made aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place based on exact movements your dentist or Orthodontist intends them to.
The end of Invisalign Treatment
This has been an amazing year and my teeth have never looked better. I am so thrilled with the way my teeth turned out and they even did a great job of aligning my teeth so I no longer have an overbite. My teeth are perfectly straight. I cannot recommend Invisalign enough and I had an amazing orthodontist.
Even though I have finished the treatment, I will always have to wear the retainer trays at night (just like a braces retainer) but that is a small price to pay for perfect teeth, right? The retainer is very similar to an Invisalign tray but is a little thicker. I have an appointment in a week to make certain that the fit is correct (it is) but it is officially the end of my treatment.
Before Invisalign
After Invisalign
Previous Invisalign Posts
Improving My Smile & My Confidence with Invisalign
16 Facts You NEED To Know About Your Smile
The Perfect Gifts for those in Invisalign
My plans once I finish Invisalign – See Great Before & After Photos
The Week I Made a Mistake with Invisalign
The Invisalign Impact – Passing the Halfway Mark
Celebrating #3MillionSmiles with Invisalign | Post a Pic to Donate $1 to Operation Smile
Get Social with Invisalign
Take a free smile assessment | Find an Invisalign doctor near you
Invisalign Wikipedia | Invisalign Facebook | Invisalign Twitter
I am a member of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board. I am receiving complimentary Invisalign treatment as part of this program. All opinions are my own. Invisalign Mom Advisory Board Disclosure Statement.
If my kids ever need braces, this is the way I am going. I had the old metal ones and all I have to say is OUCH!
My teeth have shifted over the years, even after having braces as a teen. I’ve been considering trying Invisalign.
I love Invisalign. I can think of a lot of kids who would have had much easier times in school if this had been around when I was growing up.
I was lucky enough not to have braces I am hoping my son won’t either, but if he does then I will probably do the invisaline.
Your teeth turned out beautiful. My husband considered this treatment years ago, but never followed through. Back then it was quite a bit more expensive as well.
I’d love to have this for myself and one of my grand children. He has two teeth that aren’t perfectly straight as do I.
I had such bad teeth, I had to have braces as a teen. Invisalign is such a great alternative for people today! My sister in law loved using Invisalign.
It’s crazy how well this works. It’s so nice that there is a reasonable option for adults to have their teeth straightened.
This is a much comfortable thing to wear compared to the metal ones. Will try to look up if this is offered here at my location too!
I had braces after college – that I paid for myself with my first real job. I still to this day wear my retainer!
This is a great alternative for the traditional brace. I hope I can get one myself.
I think this would be a great hair dye to use, seems more efficient and longer lasting color.
This is a cool giveaway! I am still wearing my braces (conventional) and still one more year to go
I wish we had this when my sister had braces. There were days that she can’t eat and suffered in pain.
I finished my Invisalign treatment this year too!! It was seriously the best thing I have ever done for myself! Your smile looks great!
That is nice to see that it worked! Thankfully I have straight teeth but I don’t know if my kids will take the route of their dad with some crooked teeth. This is great to remember.
I would have loved Invisalign when i was a teenager. I had the big metal braces complete with head gear. Your smile looks great.
MY daughter’s friend is getting braces for the first time. She is terrified, I will have to tell her about this incase she hasn’t heard. Sounds like a great alternative!
I needed braces as a kid but it wasn’t in the budget. I also didn’t want them at all. Looking back I wish this was around. I would have helped save money for this. Invisible is amazing and I’ve heard so many great things about invisalign.
Congrats on finishing your Invisalign treatment. Invisalign are great for anyone who needs braces. These are great for the teenage years for sure.
I tried this before and it does work. I just wish it isn’t so [pricey.
I have a friend who did Invisalign and she loved it. This is a great giveaway!
I’ve heard so many great things about Invisalign! I would love to use it some day for myself and our kids!
There are so many more benefits to using Invisalign rather than traditional braces. I bet users really appreciate how it’s less noticeable.
This looks amazing! I honestly didn’t even know about the process, thanks for the info!
If your teen needs braces, he or she may just have a reason to smile.
Invisalign Teen is designed to help teenagers maintain their self-esteem and self-confidence and accommodate their active lifestyles while they address their orthodontic needs.
During Invisalign Teen treatment, teenagers can keep up their active lifestyle, play sports and smile during social activities. Traditional braces often carry a stigma of being unattractive and noticeable, leaving teens feeling self-conscious and afraid to smile.
I’ve heard a bit about Invisalign, and people seem to really like this method to straighten their teeth! I had braces, and I agree that the wires were sometimes really irritable! Perhaps I can have my kids try the Invisalign if they want!
Sounds like it was a real success. My wife loves her invisalign and they are really discreet. I have thought about it for myself for a long time. Maybe I will try them this summer.
invisalign having more benefits over a traditional metal braces. its more an user friendly then metal braces and user feel more comfortable.