I never thought I’d be getting orthodontic treatment in my late 50s, but here I am—one and a half years later, with straighter teeth, no gaps, and a grin from ear to ear!
If you’re considering adult orthodontics, specifically Invisalign, hopefully my experience can help give you some insight into what it’s like, and if its worth the time, energy and money, especially for us older patients.
Why I Chose Invisalign at 57
For most of my life, I had gaps in my teeth. When I looked at my smile straight on, my teeth weren’t terrible, but from the side my lower teeth had wide spaces and I always felt self-conscious. If a photograph was ever taken of me from the side, I would be horrified because the spaces seemed so much more pronounced. Also, I was starting to notice my front teeth turning slightly and I feared it would only get worse.
THE BEFORE SHOTS (Painful to look at!)
To be honest, I just figured it was something I had to live with. But then I had a chance encounter with an old friend who I hadn’t seen in years, and she had just completed Invisalign treatment. Her smile looked fantastic. Suddenly, Invisalign aligners seemed like a potential good idea for me. I started thinking about life with a confident smile, which got me researching, in search of the best option for me.
I knew had healthy teeth and therefore wanted to keep my natural teeth, so veneers were out of the question. I also knew that traditional braces were a hard no; I was a grownup after all. I had client meetings, a social life, and the idea of a mouth full of metal was just not for me.
What Are Invisalign
Invisalign aligners are clear teeth “trays” that feel like plastic but are made from a type of resin. They are used for orthodontic treatment, namely, to straighten teeth and close gaps. The trays snap onto your teeth using clear brackets, also called buttons (shown below) that are glued to your teeth and serve as anchors.
THE BUTTONS/BRACKETS
Yes, up close you can see the brackets, but further back they are almost invisible. And they are nothing close to the traditional brackets, made of metal and wires. Invisalign aligners easily snap on and off your teeth, and you remove them for eating, brushing and flossing.
The ability to remove the aligners makes Invisalign a popular option for adult orthodontic patients because you can remove them for important meetings, events or whenever its necessary. My research told me that Invisalign worked well for adults of all ages, which was good news. I knew my dental health and gum health were both strong, so I felt confident going into my first consultation.
The Invisalign Process
Step 1: Consultation and Treatment Plan
My journey started with a consultation with my orthodontist. They took digital scans of my teeth and created a customized treatment plan that would gradually shift my crooked teeth into place, closing the gaps little by little over the course of about 18 months. It was fun to see the digital preview of my future teeth on the computer screen, shifting from their original positions into a gorgeous gapless smile!
THE 3D SCANNER
I was told that I had to be vigilant and wear the aligners 24/7 except when I was eating or brushing/flossing. I was also told that I had to brush and floss religiously to protect against gum disease and bacteria being trapped under the aligners.
Step 2: Getting My First Set of Aligners
About two weeks later, my aligners arrived. You receive a number of sets of aligners and change each week. The plastic brackets were glued onto my teeth (not a pleasant experience, but not horrible either) and the aligners snapped in like a Lego piece. Unlike traditional metal braces, there are no wires. The Invisalign aligners simply snap on and off. At first, they felt a little tight, but that was a sign they were working.
Step 3: Wearing the Aligners Consistently
For Invisalign to work effectively, you really do need to wear the aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day. I’ll admit—it was an adjustment! At first, I kept forgetting to put them back in after eating, but I quickly got into the habit. Every week, I switched to a new set of aligners, each one moving my teeth closer to their final position. Unlike traditional braces, which require frequent orthodontist visits for tightening, my check-ups were every six to eight weeks to monitor my progress.
Invisalign Pros: What I Loved
Now that I’ve finished my Invisalign treatment, I can confidently say I made the right choice. Here are some of the biggest Invisalign pros:
1. Nearly Invisible: The clear aligners were discreet, and most people didn’t even notice I was wearing them. This was a huge plus, especially for special occasions.
2. Comfortable to Wear: Invisalign means no metal brackets or wires cutting into my cheeks, which I hear can be very painful. While there was some pressure with each new set of aligners, it was nothing compared to traditional braces.
3. Easy to Remove: Being able to take them out for meals and important work meetings gave me great flexibility. There were no foods that were off limits, except for strongly colored foods (for example, turmeric) because it would stain the brackets.
4. Better Oral Hygiene: Since the aligners are removable, I could easily keep up my dental care, brushing and flossing as usual. In fact, I found myself brushing and flossing several times throughout the day due to my paranoia over bacteria, periodontal disease and tooth decay. This helped me maintain excellent oral hygiene throughout treatment.
5. Great for Older Patients: I was concerned that adult orthodontics might not work as well for someone my age, but my teeth responded very well.
Cons of Invisalign: The Challenges
While I loved my experience, there are some cons of Invisalign that you should consider before starting.
1. Discipline is Required: Since Invisalign aligners are removable, the success of the treatment depends on wearing them consistently. If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t get the best results.
2. Slight Lisp at First: I had a small lisp for the first week, but it went away quickly as I got used to talking with the aligners in.
3. Slight But Constant Annoyance: For me, feeling the constant presence of the brackets that were glued to my teeth (although small, they feel huge when you run your tongue over them) or the aligners on my teeth was a lot. My orthodontist told me that over time I would get used to them and forget they were there – I can report that this never happened, lol.
4. Frequent Brushing Needed: Since you have to remove the aligners for meals, snacks or even drinks, you need to brush your teeth more often to avoid trapping food and bacteria inside the aligners. Be prepared to have a toothbrush and floss constantly in your purse or pocket.
5. Cost of Invisalign Treatment: Invisalign is typically more expensive than traditional braces. I didn’t have dental insurance so had to pay the full cost, but I was able to pay in monthly installments.
The Final Results: A Beautiful Smile
After about 18 months, I had the brackets removed and the final permanent wires installed. It is necessary to have wires attached to the backs of both your top and bottom front teeth or they will shift back to their original positions, faster than you can imagine.
THE AFTER SHOT!
Also, a retainer is made for you so that you can sleep in every night. Again, you must sleep with your retainer to keep everything in place or things will shift rather quickly.
Now that I am done, I am pleased to report that I couldn’t be happier with my new straight teeth! My gaps are gone, my lower teeth are aligned, and I feel more confident than ever.
For anyone considering Invisalign at an older age, I say go for it! Adult patients can absolutely benefit from orthodontic care, and it’s never too late to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. If you’re self-conscious about your teeth and hesitant about traditional braces, Invisalign might be the perfect solution for you.
Would I do it all over again?
Absolutely! In a heartbeat.
