Carinn x Invisalign: Wearing my Aligners!

Omg! I can't believe it actually happened.. After months (maybe years) of waiting to wear braces, I've finally started wearing my aligners OFFICIALLY!

As mentioned in my previous post, I received a call from Q&M Dental Surgery Molek that my aligners were ready and I could make an appointment with them the next day to get them fitted. It was so random but heck, was I prepared. I was so excited that I couldn't stop talking about it the whole day to my bf. He volunteered to accompany me to the clinic the next day to snap some photos for me as well (+10points).

Dr Matthew showing me my aligners. They actually have tiny numbers on them to remind you which pair is which, and how to differentiate the upper form lower aligners.

I see my name! This is my Orthodontic Appliance Kit. I have 40 pairs of aligners altogether to wear throughout the whole Invisalign process (the first box contains aligners 1 - 23). The box states that my kit includes my attachments, IPC, precision cuts, overcorrection and attachment templates.

The aligners all come in these resealable plastic bags for easy storage. I was quite surprised because they seemed quite casually packed, so flat as well. On the packet, it states the order of aligners I'm supposed to wear. Dr Matthew instructed that I wear the upper aligners for a week interval, while the bottom ones will be at 2 weeks interval.

Tadaa! This is how they look like! My first pair of custom-made aligners just for my teeth. They are smaller than I expected. People who have worn braces before would think these pieces of plastic resemble retainers.

The first pair is cut about the same shape and size as my regular teeth and as the weeks go by, my teeth will gradually shift and I'd have to put on the next pair. This is why ClinCheck is so important; to predict how the teeth will move so that the aligners can be prepared in advance. Dr Matthew advises that I keep the previous pairs of aligners properly back into their resealable bags in case my teeth does not move according to planned (or if I'm negligent and forgot to wear my aligners), at least I have a "backup plan".

This smaller box is my Patient Starter Kit. Inside contains 2 aligners containers. I guess one is for spare purposes. I'm supposed to store my aligners in here, but the storage is so much bigger than my tiny aligners! Dr Matthew also reminded me to always bring along with me in my bag so I do not misplace my aligners. According to him, 95% of his patients actually wrapped their aligners in tissue paper and accidentally threw them away 0.0

Dr Matthew putting on the aligners for me to demonstrate how they fit. It felt so weird to have a plastic thing 'hugging' my teeth for the first time! Both the top and bottom aligners are supposed to fit snugly, with no pain at all. I wasn't used to it at first and even talking felt funny.

Then, it was my turn to try on my aligners for myself. It was difficult at first. Dr Matthew's analogy, "It feels like wearing contact lens for the first time. You'll struggle but after awhile, you'll get used to it that you won't even need a mirror to put it on!" It really felt uncomfortable at first but it's bearable as there's no pain! For me, the lower aligners were harder to put on.

I must warn you, there are more unglam photos ahead.....

"Dude.. Are you getting this?" XD

That's not a marshmallow btw XD The white pellet is called a Chewie. They are cotton bits that help the aligners fit better. I'm supposed to chew on it with each tooth (like a hamster haha) to "push" the aligners in place so that no signs of the plastic can be seen.

Time to try and remove them again. Don't laugh, but the bottom aligners were quite hard to remove :(

Done! The before and after photos of wearing my first set of aligners. Basically, there is not much difference, except that my teeth looks shinier and slightly whiter (bonus!)

You can't even see the aligners from afar and I am so impressed! 

By the way, I found this on YouTube a few days ago and it's so relevant to my Invisalign fitting process! Check out Xiaxue's teeth straightening experience, pretty similar to mine (if you're lazy to read).

Video source

My first Invisalign selfie! Can you spot any difference? XD 

Confession: I've been wearing it for more than a day now, and I can already feel a difference! In the meantime, I am having so much fun tricking people :p I did not tell anyone (unless you're on my Snapchat @carerynn) because I wanted to test their reaction when I tell them I actually have braces on. My parents, siblings, aunts and cousins could not tell I was wearing aligners at all during dinner yesterday! I even went karaoke with my girls and they couldn't tell either, even though my pronunciation was kinda weird XD And the best part is, today at the office, NOBODY could tell that I'm wearing aligners AT ALL. So much fun seeing their reactions :p

Will update you guys soon, after I wear them for awhile more! In the meantime, I'm anticipating my straight teeth patiently :D

Quote my name 'CARINN10' to get 10% OFF Invisalign services by Dr Matthew Hong at Q&M Dental Surgery, Taman Molek, from now until 31st December 2015!

Disclaimer: [Sponsored] I have received complimentary Invisalign treatment from Align Technology, Inc & Q&M Dental Surgery JB (Molek) after winning a contest organised by Invisalign & Nuffnang. In exchange for that, I have agreed to promote and write about my Invisalign story. The review is written based on my honest views and personal experiences on the treatment.

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