Invisalign - DAY 145

I thought I was going to do a better job of keeping up a daily journal regarding my Invisalign. To all 4 of my followers, I apoligize. On the bright side, my acting has really kept me busy (shooting the web series, theater rehearsals, auditions for short films), but this blog isn't about my acting career...

So, I am about to start on Tray #11 and things have been going smoothly. Before jumping into Tray #10 I took a photo of the changes at the halfway mark. I will post those into this blog later as it is not on my current computer's harddrive. Just as my ClinChek showed, Trays 6-10 moved my upper front teeth and now it is time to start moving the bottom.

One thing I am bummed about is I lost the same 'button' that previous fell off. I was eating dry cereal this morning (Raisin Bran, in case you were wondering) and I started to chew on something crunchy. Now, Raisin Bran in crunchy so I thought it might be an extra crunchy flake. But in the back of my mind I knew this sensation and somthing told me that the button was on its way through my digestive system. I hate when I am right.

I go in for an exam and to pick up Trays 11-13 this coming Tuesday. Dr. Azani did say that if this particular button fell off again, he would not replace it since it was only an anchor and didn't really help to move any teeth. I am not sure if I am going to try to convince him to add it back on. I have a couple of days to figure out what to do.

Over the last 3 Weeks:
Pain Level - 4 (although, Tray #10 was really tight for a couple of days)
Dedication Level - 5 (I seem to be sans aligners for about 5 hours a day)
Irritation Level - 2 (things are going really good since I am visually seeing a change)

Invisalign - DAY 124

Wow, I have not been keeping up with this as well as I wanted to. Unfortunately, I have been in rehearsals for a musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and finishing up shooting "Why I Hate Bitsy Malone" for the web, so I have been spending all of my free time either in the car, at work on on the set/in rehearsals. But, I figured with a huge milestone coming up, it might be good to jump back on this.

This Monday is going to be huge. No, not because everyone will be talking about how "Lost" ended. Actually, that IS going to be huge and probably a conversation many will be having, but that is not as big as...

MONDAY IS MY HALFWAY MARK WITH INVISALIGN!!!!

I truly thought this day would never get here when I started and now I realize that it has not felt that long. I am sure if I was a teenager, the time would have crawled by, but since I am at that age where my life is passing before my eyes, the time has just flown.

I looked at my ClinCheck today to see how much change has really occur ed and most of the "big" movement has yet to happen, but it is on the horizon. Weeks 10 thru 19 really start pushing and pulling the teeth around. Not that I haven't had some discomfort with the movement so far.

This week, when Tray #9 went in, I really felt it. Especially with my front top right and my front bottom right teeth. For about two days, my gums felt like it does when you have a bruise and you push on it. It doesn't hurt but it has that achey feel to it, which sometimes feels good, you know?

My wife, who has been doing this with me, lost both of her buttons on her front teeth this week. One came off last Saturday and was replaced two days later, where she proceeded to lose the other button the next day. After contacting our Orthodontist, they recommended to come in before starting Tray #10. All in all, out of the 23 buttons between us, we have only lost 3 in the last 124 days...not a bad record.

In the past two and half weeks I have had bad days and good days, nothing really big to mention in a blog. All in all, for my halfway mark, this has been a pretty painless experience that I would recommend to anyone.

Last 2 1/2 Weeks Combined:
Pain Level: 4
Dedication Level: 7
Irritation Level: 2

Invisalign - DAY 106

Wow, has it really been almost 20 days since I have blogged? Tray #7 came and went with no interesting issues or problems? What the...????


I think the only thing that is 'news worthy' is my wife and I went to see Dr. Azani last Monday for our 6-week check up. I was telling him how I was still frustrated after 15 weeks I still didn't see any change in my teeth. He informed me that everything was going great and "if the new trays are fitting, they were doing their job."

Then he pulled up a photo on the computer with a shot of my bottom teeth from the first day and handed me a mirror so I could see my bottom teeth now and compare. I could see that they had moved a little. At least, the one tooth was not so far behind the other. YAY!!!

Also, our friend who started Invisalign before found out that day that she would have 8 more aligners to finish the refinements needed. I have always known that when Dr. Azani told us that we had 19 trays that it would be longer than that.

One thing I noticed this morning was that my bottom aligners would always 'pop' off my bottom front teeth because of the way the teeth were positioned. Now, they are sliding off. I think it is because they are not so 'jacked up' anymore and are more aligned then before. It is a good thing. Changes are a'coming!!!!

Pain Level - 3 (more of a headache from the new aligners)
Dedication Level - 8
Irritation Level - 2

Invisalign - DAY 87

So, one more week has passed and things are not going as smoothly as I thought they were going to go. It seems that filmmaking and Invisalign do not play well in the sandbox.

I just came off of two days on a new web series, "Why I Hate Bitsy Malone", and did really well on the first day. I had some dialogue but it was all shot within a couple of hours. I took the trays out when I knew we were starting my shots, and put them back in when we were wrapped with my section.

Then came day two.

Right when I got to the set at 10 AM, I took out my aligners...don't ask me why but out they came. Then we started shooting about an hour later (I wish I had that hour back to put my trays back in). The good thing about day two: there was a lot of dialogue...the bad thing about day two: there was a lot of dialogue.

*Ding* Lunch time!!!! I looked at my iPhone and it was 2:30 PM. Holy crap, my aligners were out for 4.5 hours and now I had to keep them out to eat lunch?!?!?!?

I engulfed the Subway Turkey Sub and Bar-B-Q Ruffles, brushed my teeth, and put my aligners back in, but they called everyone back to the set a half hour later. I knew I still had dialogue so out they came again. Damn it!!!

We finished shooting by 6 PM and celebrated the Executive Producer's, the Assistant Director, and the DP's birthdays so cake was brought out and, once again, engulfed as quickly as possible. However, I had to stick around to do some voice-over work. Surely, I couldn't put my aligners back in now.

By 7 PM, I was in my car, forcing my aligners back into my mouth. With a total time of 8+ hours with them out, I could feel the tightness of my unfaithfulness to this process waging war on my teeth.

I have some serious time to make up for this. Not sure how, but I gotta, I just gotta!!!

Pain Level - 2
Dedication Level - 2
Irriation Level - 5

Invisalign - DAY 80

Alright, I am now 80 days into my treatment and I don't know if I am slacking or my life is becoming "anti-Invisalign friendly".

As you might have guessed from my previous blogs, I am an actor out here in Los Angeles. I am just looking to add an adjective to that profession...you know, like "Working" or "Successful" or "Are you that" (not really an adjective, but I'll take it). Recently, my free time has been anything but free, and I'm really enjoying it.

Yesterday, I had an audition for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in Simi Valley at 8:15 PM. I knew I would have my aligners out for the whole audition so hopefully I would have a great day and only have them out for about 2 hours until that time. And, I was doing so well until the trip home from work.

Before jumping in the car, I was EXTREMELY hungry and decided to take out my aligners for the ride home so I could eat some apple slices and Lipton Green Iced Tea. After the hour trip home, my wife was hungry. Knowing that we had to eat soon so we could get to the audition, I decided to keep my trays out as we walked the dog to Taco Bell for our Fresco Chicken Soft Tacos (you should try them, they are really good).

So, after getting home, walking the dog to Taco Bell and back, and eating dinner, another 1.5 hours had slipped through my fingers. I popped the aligners in, knowing that this was not a good day for my teeth at all.

A half hour later, the aligners were out again. I stayed at the audition from 7:15 to 9:00 PM thinking that my teeth were going to hate me once I put the aligners back in. It is amazing how much your bite changes when you don't have the trays in like you should. Thirty minute drive home and a quick snack and it was 9:55 PM. Yep, that's right. Including the 2 hours that the aligners were out for work, this day saw me without them in for over 8 HOURS!!!

We are supposed to have them on for 20-22 hours a day and I had them out for one-third of my Tuesday. Seriously, what gives?!?!?

Good News: both my wife and I had great auditions and were both called back; Bad News: call backs are for 5 hours over the weekend. Here we go, again.

I am also a little worried about tonight as I have a rehearsal for the new web series we start shooting on Monday. Although it would be easier to rehearse with them out, I need to make up lost time so they are going to probably have to stay in. So far, with breakfast and lunch, my aligners have only been out for an hour and fifteen minutes.

If you are thinking of starting Invisalign, I think this is where I 'hit the wall'. If others who have done Invisalign read this, let me know when you feel you started to feel your dedication drop. Tray #6 seems to be it for me, I just need to catch my second wind to the finish line.

Pain Level - 4 (my left front tooth still hurts after putting in the new tray two days ago, but I knew this tooth was going to start moving around this time)

Dedication Level - 0 (seriously, did you read my blog?)
Irritation Level - 5 (just with myself, not the process)

Invisalign - DAY 78

Well, it is the start of Tray #6. As usual, the aligners went in with a 'snap' and the uncomfortableness was there all over again.

It is so wild to take them out and know which teeth the aligners are affecting. You don't really feel which ones are being moved when the aligners are in, but once you take them out...Oh, boy, do you know.

The next two weeks will be moving the front left tooth, or so the discomfort in my mouth tells me.

And, again, where the molars currently reside are 'moving to a better location'. It's like they are moving from the Ozark swamp land to Beverly Hills. I just hope Jed, Granny, Elly Mae and Jethro enjoy the trip and don't give me as much of a headache as they did the Drysdales.

Wow, now that is an obsure reference.

Also, my brother was in town and noticed the difference in my wife's smile but not mine. However, he did notice my bald spot and gave me the pros of Rogaine and Avacor. It's nice to know that I will have a nice smile that will be overshadowed by my hair loss.

I have to say, the first 11 weeks of Invisalign have not been all that bad. I would still recommend this to anyone and everyone who is looking to have their smile corrected. Sure, the frustration is there that they are not moving as quickly as I would like, but I watched the ClinCheck the other day and it made me realize what the end product will be. Soon I will be there, or as the Black Eyed Peas sing:

"Imma be, Imma be, Imma be, Imma be...
Imma be takin them pics, lookin' all fly and s***"


Pain Level - 7 (again, more of a discomfort)
Dedication Level - 3 (had them out too long for the family visit for Easter...whoops)
Irritation Level - 2

Invisalign - DAY 75

I think I am having sympathy pains for my fellow inmate here at Invisalign Correctional Institute. I woke up with a headache that is not going away. Of course, it could also be that I ran out of Flonase the other day and haven't renewed my prescription, so my body could be crashing from the lack of steriods. All I know is I am a mess.

So, my friend has been doing Invisalign for 7 months and her Ortho told her that her last day would be yesterday, April Fool's Day. I told her it would be a cruel joke if the Ortho was just kidding around and she had to continue after he last visit. Well, it turns out her Ortho extended her "stay" and she won't be up for parole for a little while longer.

Through text, I was curious about her "last day" experience and I thought I would share it with my 3 followers (by the way, thanks for following):

11:25AM
Friend - It's today!!! It's today!!!

Me - ...Are you happy with your outcome?

F - I just got here. I'm not sure yet until I get these buttons off. I'll text you when it's final.

12:15AM
F - Buttons are gone but she wants Invisalign to do a refinement. So back to impression stage and mold again. Then new buttons. Phase II

M - For how much longer?

F - Not sure until the new trays are made. Bright side is no buttons, no trays. Nothing until they arrive.

1:12AM
F - Just leaving the Orthodontist's. Almost 2 hrs.
M - Wow, that was a long appt. How many buttons did you have and did they come of easily? All of these questions...sorry.
F - I had 8 buttons and it took forever. They have to be gentle as not to touch the tooth.
M - Great, I have 10 buttons...I think I am in for a long last day with the Ortho.
F - I htink the new mold took long, too. Then as I was walking out she said...continue weating your last tray. Bummer!

It looks as if October won't be the end for me and my wife. Although, the last time we went to see our Ortho, he told us that 70% of Invisalign patients need to continue past their last tray. Almost everyone needs to do some refinements. I am hoping that Christmas is our new deadline. It would be a great present.

Pain Level - 4 (but not my teeth, just the headache)
Dedication Level - 5 (it was my birthday week so they were out a lot for cake)
Irritation Level - 2

Invisalign - DAY 65

I have finally made it to Tray #5. What can I say?

Oh, yeah, how about...

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW!!!!!

After seeing Dr. Azani for my 6-week appointment to look over my teeth and get my next 3 trays, he assured me that everything was going right on schedule. He asked if I would like to put my new trays in and I opted to wait until I got home.

Once I got home, I had dinner then put #5 in. Well, 'put' is not the right word...maybe shove. My bottom tray went in and, although it was tight, it did snap into place. My top tray clicked into the back attachment, so I knew it was lined up correctly, but it did not want to fit onto the other teeth easily.

As I pushed and bit down on the aligner, it finally went over my teeth but it was pretty snug. I could feel my heartbeat in my right front tooth. Somehow, I think this tray is going to move this tooth a lot these next two weeks. My back teeth are getting a wider bite, and it really feels like a lot of pressure is being put back there.

I took my aligners out after two hours and I could feel the movement that was trying to happen in my teeth. There is still some tingling in my front right tooth, but I am sure that will be gone in a couple of days. So, I guess all I can say is...

OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW!!!!!

Pain Level - 8
Dedication Level - 8
Irritation Level - 4

Helpful Hint: I have read on other blogs that you should not really put your new trays in until you have brushed them out or rinsed them over cold water. You can see there is some film over the aligners and people have complained about sore throats and attribute it to this. Best thing to do is not put in the new aligners at the DDS office and just wait until you can clean them yourself.

Invisalign - DAY 64

I thought this day would never come. Today is the day we have our first followup with our Orthodontist and get the next three trays (5 thru 7).

I am kind of worried because on the weekends I am getting into the habit of taking my aligners out when I wake up and having them out for a while.

After taking 10 minutes to roll out of bed, I throw the aligners in the CVS Generic Polident solution, take a shower, spray the Flonase, get my contacts in, apply the underarm deodorant in my pits and product in my hair (hopefully, I don't mess those two up), SonicCare my teeth and take off for Starbucks, leaving my aligners in the solution to soak some more, even though they only need five minutes. Trust me, coming from my mouth, 5 minutes is not going to cut it.

By the time I get back home, Frappaccino fully inhaled, that's when I put the aligners back in, 2 hours after taking them out. I mean, why put them in before leaving the bathroom only to take them out 30 minutes later to have breakfast? Yeah, I know; it's 30 extra minutes, but what a pain.

Also, yesterday my wife and I had lunch with a couple of her ILM friends out at Octopus, a great sushi restaurant in Burbank. Since we were eating, out came the aligners. After eating and talking and eating and talking, three hours had passed and I still had to head home and brush before putting them back in. FIVE HOURS and I hadn't even had dinner yet?!?!?!

To top it off, with all the talking at lunch my attachment on my canine tooth started rubbing the inside of my cheek and now I have one of those tiny sores that looks like a pimple but feels like a cattle brand.

I think the Ortho purposely makes the attachments "pointy" so you will keep your aligners in and not tear your mouth apart. Well, Dr. Azani, lesson learned, my friend...lesson learned.

Until breakfast on Saturday.

Pain Level - 0
Dedication Level - 4
Irritation Level - 5 (just for the small cattle brand)

Invisalign - DAY 59

Things are back on track. We had a 'situation' with our dog when we got home last night so we had to take him to the vet immediately after walking in the front door.

He is fine now, but it did allow me to keep my aligners in for an additional 3 hours after work and then only take them out for 30 minutes for dinner before putting them back in for the night. Usually I take them out while my wife is cooking (or on the drive to the restaurant) and they are out for a while. So, while I am glad my dog is going to make a full recovery, I have to thank him for the additional time with my trays. Nothing but love for you, Max.

I thought I would take this time to explain what I am actually trying to accomplish with my teeth. I am not sure if I have explained exactly what the reason was behind getting Invisalign. I have my brother to thank, because he is two years older and his teeth are pretty messed up. Nothing but love for you, Chris.

Most people have their bottom teeth move throughout their lifetime. And, depending on how your bottom front teeth line up and the pressure put on them, they could stay straight, buckle into a 'V' formation, or 'tombstone' (one tooth gets pushed behind the other). Since my brother is older, I figure I am a couple of years behind what is happening with his teeth. His teeth are tombstoning, if not already tombstoned. This is the reason.

My bottom teeth, over the last year, have started to mis-align and one of them is beginning to slip behind the other one. I wanted to do something before I couldn't see it anymore. Also, the movement of the bottom teeth was causing my upper front teeth to get out of alignment. This was the last thing I needed...a snaggle-tooth with tombstoning.

Being an actor and watching how HD is really not an actor's friend (as well as not wanting to compete with Steve Buscemi for every role), I decided to get my bottom teeth straightened before they tombstoned on me. Nothing but love for you, Steve.

I have also talked with friends who have had a Lingual Arch added to their lower teeth to keep them from moving once they were straight. And, even though they all swear by this appliance, I think if I am diligent with wearing my retainer to bed every night, I would like to avoid the addition of any future apparatus on my teeth.

I still have yet to see any changes visually, but my bite has changed, that is for sure. Before this process, I was clipping the inside of my jaw with my mis-aligned bottom teeth and I have not done that since starting this process (even when they are not in). I think it will be nice to be able to finally 'see' the changes, but I am a patient man...at least for now.

Pain Level - 0
Dedication Level - 9 (I owe you a doggy massage, Max)
Irritation Level - 1

Invisalign - DAY 58

So this has been an interesting couple of days.

On Saturday, my wife and I went in for our annual 6-month check up with our dentist. For some weird reason, we love to postpone important stuff. I swear if my wife ever gets pregnant, out child will be 3 1/2 before she gives birth.

Stress levels were high that day since this was going to be our first visit back to our General dentist since starting Invisalign and having the attachments put on our teeth. Although my wife was really worried, I was only mildly so. However, I already had one come off, I didn't need to go through that again.

We arrived at 11 AM. My wife went in first. As I sat in the lobby playing Bejeweled Blitz on my iPhone (I moved up to second with a score of 300,950...booyah), I thought for sure I would see her turn the corner with tears in her eyes, but as she rounded it, no tears were to be found.

She told me the hygienist said she had been one of the easiest cleanings she had all day. Of course, of you brush your teeth 8 times a day, I would be surprised if the hygienist found any enamel, let alone plaque. I went in afterward and had one of my easiest cleanings to date, too. So, after making our appointments for six months later, we couldn't wait for our next cleaning in 2012.

That said, my dedication to this process has been waning a little, and I am blaming it Daylight Savings. Since we have moved the time forward one hour, I have to say that my aligners are finding it harder to locate the inside of my mouth.

I think my brain has turned to mush with the one-less-hour-of-sleep. I will take out my aligners to eat a snack and then "Bam", 2 hours has passed by and it is time for dinner. After dinner, I put them back in and realize I didn't have any desert so "Boom", out they come again, after only being back on my teeth for 30 minutes, for a trip to Menchies for some delicious Fro Yo. One hour later, belly filled, I come home, sit on the couch and hit the DVR when "Kaplooey", I realize my trays are not in. Holy "Time-Change-Fiasco", Batman.

I have come to realize that I don't take responsiblity for anything. Sometimes life is easier that way.

PS - If you are interested in the orthodontist office I am going to, they do have their own blog over here on Blogger; check it out.


Pain Level - 0 (seriously, it is non-existent)
Dedication Level - 2 (over the last couple of days)
Irritation Level - 2 (just with myself, but since the 'cleaning' day went well...I'm not that upset)

Invisalign - DAY 53

Dr. Azani's practice is so AWESOME!!! Thank you, Snow Orthodontics!!!!

This week I was given a Patient Login so I could set up appointments and the like (such as...where to...). After I logged in, I saw a tab that read "Videos". I was not sure what this entailed: was I being filmed while I was there? I don't want a video of me crying like a baby on the web.

After clicking on it, I was pleasantly surprised. Earlier, Dr. Azani had sent me a link to a video (called ClinCheck) that showed the progression of my 19 weeks with Invisalign. However, I couldn't share that video with family and friends. Bummer.

Now, with this "Video" tab, all of you are in luck. You can witness in slow motion (but faster than 19 weeks) what my teeth are doing and why I am getting headaches. These videos raised my spirits and they're so much better than getting frustrated over my own photos showing me nothing.

Before you click on the link below, a couple of things:

1. Once you click on the link, it is going to start the film on the left side of your screen. The number you see in the bottom right of this "movie" is the Tray number that will move the teeth into that position (after it gets to 20 and stops, click replay. It resets to the beginning and you can see how much they truly moved).

2. You will notice from the "Front View", my left front tooth starts out lower than my right front tooth, and immediately the trays start to push that tooth up to make it even with the other. That is probably why my tooth was tingling when I would tap it previously.

3. This link opens on the "Front View", but there is so much more to see. There is also a "Lower Jaw" and "Upper Jaw" view. Just click on the text above the movie for which one you want to view.

4. You can see on the "Lower Jaw" that my bottom front teeth do not really start moving back in place until about Tray #10. Up until that time, it shows the widening of the back of the jaw and the turning and twisting of my canine teeth. Pretty cool.

5. The "Upper Jaw" starts twisting my canine teeth immediately (along with the previously mentioned pushing up of the left front tooth) and then with Tray #6 thru Tray #11, my front teeth are moved forward to be aligned once again. The last couple of trays just keep widening my jaw and turning my canines so they are flush with the other teeth.

Again, pretty interesting. I am told that this is not an exact science so by the end of the 19 Trays there may have to be some Re-alignment Trays to fine tune what the previous trays could not, or did not, accomplish. Still, I am pretty stoked and can not wait to see the actual results.

Here is the link - Enjoy!!!!

https://login.sesamecommunications.com/gsnow/my-smile.html?uid=2441959


Pain Level - 3
Dedication Level - 8
Irritation Level - 1 (just having a good day, that's all)

Invisalign - DAY 52

OUCH!!!! OW!!!! SON OF A....!!!!

WHY, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY?!?!?!? WHY?!?!?!?

I am having some major issues with taking out these aligners now. I am only guessing that I have had longer nails when switching into the new trays every two weeks.

Clipping my nails yesterday morning (after going into Tray #4), I thought I would be alright. After all, I haven't had any problems in the past, why would this tray be any different? However, I have really dug under my thumb nails trying to get these aligners out this week. It also doesn't help that I was peeling an orange and the citrus really burned getting into the nail bed.

(Note to self: stop eating oranges and buy some bananas...maybe grapes.)

This is where I can see that crochet needle becoming very handy. But, since I currently don't own one, I have been digging under my nail each time I need to take the aligners out, re-injuring the nail bed with no hope of it healing any time soon.

So, there is this great 'Catch-22': 1) keep your nails longer, they break, or 2) keep your nails shorter and dig under them. Or option 3, just leave the plastic buggers in and take my chances with cavities...yeah, that sounds less painful right now.

Bring on that drill.

Pain Level - 5 (for my nails, not my teeth)
Dedication Level - 7 (back on track after yesterday)
Irritation Level - 9 (when a drill in your tooth sounds like a party, something is DEFINITELY wrong)

Invisalign - Day 51

Okay, I am starting to think I should listen to my own Helpful Hints. In yesterday's blog, I mentioned to put your aligners in at night and it should help to take some Advil, too.

I have been fighting a massive splitting headache all day. Now, I am not sure if it is from the new aligners, the lack of caffiene or food, or the extreme focus I had last night at the table read. Either way, it is a pain.

And, I notice that I am constantly 'chewing' on my aligners for the first couple of days after I put the new ones in. I don't know why I do this; I have never grinded (or is it ground) my teeth. I think with the constant biting on the plastic, it could be causing this ache. I don't know...it could be anything...just make it go away.

I also think this is going to be a bad day since I have already had my aligners out for 2 hours and still have to eat dinner and do the stage reading tonight, which I won't have them in for. That is probably another 4 hours right there. I guess one day every now and then where I slip is not so bad, right?

Right?

Damn.

Pain Level - 7
Dedication Level - 2 (I am projecting for the day ahead)
Irritation Level - 7

Invisalign - DAY 50 - Start of Tray #4

So, I was sitting there watching the Oscars last night when I thought I would torture myself some more by putting in my new aligners. It couldn't be more painful than watching the awards show drag on and on and on and on and...

Thank goodness for Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. If the show would have been hosted by David Letterman again, I don't know if the pain in my skull would have ever subsided.

Yep, that's right. Tray #4 was going in. But before I put in the new one's, I took some photos of my teeth to compare them to Day 1. After putting them side by side, I have to say I have not noticed any additional movement. I can tell they have been moving, but they must have only shifted millimeters because my teeth look like they are almost in the exact same spot.

I have heard that most people do not visually notice any movement in their teeth until halfway through the process. However, I look at my wife's teeth and I can notice hers are moving. It is frustrating.

I told Dr. Azani what I was doing, taking daily photos, and he told me that I would get this way. I knew it was going to be slow-going, but how can I see a change in my wife's teeth and not mine?!?!?! ARGHHHHH!!!

I was going to post new photos but if you go back to my photos of Tray #1, you can get an idea of what my teeth look like at the end of Tray #3.

Alright, bring on the dancers for the "Best Original Score"...I am not in enough pain yet!!!

Pain Level - 3
Dedication Level - 9
Irritation Level - 9

Helpful Hint: If you find that you are prone to headaches after putting in your new aligners, it is suggested you put them in before you go to bed, and take a couple of Advil to boot. By the morning, you should be fine with no pain at all.

Invisalign - DAY 46

Wow, I can't believe it has been 10 days since I have written anything about the invisible aligning of my teeth. So much has happened, you would not believe...

Uh, there was the...

Um...well, I did...

OH...the thing with the thing...you know...with whats-his-name...come on...

Okay, in all seriousness, it has been pretty chaotic over here. Let me tell you, the best thing that could happen to you while you are doing Invisalign is to get jury duty. Yes, you laugh, but there is no time to truly get away and eat or drink so they stay in for most of the day.

I had jury duty this past Thursday and Friday (luckily, I didn't get selected for the criminal case that I was pulled for). The worst part was trying to find a place to take out my aligners. I try not to take them out in front of anyone as it can get pretty 'slobbery' and no one needs to see me slobbering all over myself.

Side note: did you ever notice that there is never any healthy food around a courthouse? Just my observation. The 'weight-gain' rule for vacation applies to jury duty, too. I am just saying.

So, my front tooth was hurting a couple of days after the new tray was in. I think it is because the upper aligner is starting to move that particular tooth back into place. I don't visually see any difference with the placement of the tooth, but I was feeling a dull pain for about a day. You know, one of those 'if-I-tap-on-my-tooth-it-feels-like-it-might-have-a-cavity' kind of dull pain. Gone now, though.

I have to tell you, my dedication has slipped a little. There was one day this week where my aligners were out for about 6 hours. Not good. I had them out for a half hour for breakfast, about 45 minutes for lunch, then I needed to snack before my meeting with my agent at 2 PM so I took them out around 1:30. I decided to keep them out while I had my meeting, too.

My meeting went until 3:00 so I figured I would brush my teeth when I got home; no reason to put my trays back in, right? I brushed my teeth and decide to drink a soda. So now it's 4:30 and my wife calls me and tells me she is hungry. Since I never put my trays back in after the delicious beverage, why put my trays back in just to take them out again? Makes total sense. We eat and get back home around 5:30 PM.

Needless to say, not a good day. I had them out for 4 hours...in one shot. It is amazing how the time just gets away from you sometimes.

I think I made up for it last night. "Compulsions", the phenominal web series, was screening last night at Tavern on Brand. I decided to only drink water and keep my aligners in all night. I have been taking my aligners out for 'industry' functions recently and, as you have read, I have not been doing that well on those occasions. Hopefully the hours I didn't take them out for the screening fixed any backward movement from the previous bad day.

Also, I noticed it has been a while since I have posted any photos. I took some when I switched over to Tray 3 but never posted them. I will be taking new photos this coming Monday (the start of Tray 4) just so you can see the progress. Hopefully, it will be visible.

Pain Level - 5
Dedication Level - 5
Irritation Level - 4

Invisalign - DAY 36 - Start of Tray #3

Finally, today was the day. Today Dr. Azani was going to add the attachment that I ingested two weeks ago. This one was going to stay on, I just felt it.

I sat in the chair and was eased back while the technician prepped my tooth. Yanni or Kenny G was coming through the office sound system to let me know that everything was just fine. The appliance was placed, the ultraviolet heat was applied and that's when the technician let me know the wonderful news..."I don't think this is going to stay on either". WHAT?!?!?

As she went and got the doctor, I crossed my fingers hoping he would sit down, look at the placement and have better news. He sat down, looked at the placement and said "If it comes off again, no worries."

I found out that the attachments all have different functions, just like the Olympic Curling teams. Some attachments are there to turn the tooth, the way the 'sweepers' brush the ice to 'curl' the 'stone'. Some are there to push the tooth forward, the way the Skip 'weights' the rock down the 'curling sheet'. Some are there to just hold the appliance in place, sort of the way John Shuster has been holding the USA Olympic Curling Team in last place, unable to pull a win in the first 3 games to get benched for the forth. And, with a 2-5 record, they are pretty much out of the semi-finals. But, I digress.

My attachment that keeps coming out is one that is there to keep the tray in place...my John Shuster, if you will. With all of the difficulty it has caused, I am kind of hoping the attachment gets benched soon.

I also am now up to Tray 3. The start of this tray has been interesting. This might be weird, but I can feel the movement of my teeth in my nasal cavity. Sure, everything up in there is connected, but it is just weird to feel this. I have hopes that maybe my Invisalign will fix my deviated septum, though I think this is just wishful thinking.

Pain Level - 4 (more of an ache, but I feel headaches coming on, too)
Dedication Level - 9
Irritation Level - 4 (just hoping this attachment stays on this time)

Invisalign - DAY 33

I can't believe it has only been 33 days...9% of a year...12% of the way through this process. I thought, being past 40 years old, that this would just fly by. I mean, the rest of my life is passing quickly though the hour glass, why isn't this?

The waiting from tray to tray seems to be an eternity. I feel like I have been in Tray #2 for at least a month. Waiting...waiting...waiting...

Now I know how Evan Lysacek felt after skating his Long Program in Figure Skating and into the Gold Medal position, just waiting for everyone else to skate, not knowing if he did enough to win. In the end, the waiting was well worth it as Evgeni Plushenko didn't have the goods this time. Of course, Lysacek only had to wait about 45 minutes, not 9 months.

But I'm sure it must have felt like 50 minutes. An hour, tops.

Only 240 days left...hopefully Dr. Azani won't extend the length of any future trays like he did with Tray #1...the way Nobunari Oda of Japan had to prolong his program because his skate laces came undone.

Trust me, the last thing Dr. Azani would want to see is me come 'undone'. Are you reading this, doc...I'm just saying...

Pain Level - 1 (I find it weird that the pain so random from day to day)
Dedication Level - 9
Irritation Level - 4

Invisalign - DAY 32

I was brushing my teeth today (the first time, not the eighth) and I am still noticing some 'pain' on my two back bottom teeth. Not a pain that Japanese Halfpipe Snowboarder Kazuhiro Kokubo felt when, after a solid run that could have put him above the eventual Gold Medal winner Shawn White, he did a faceplant on his last trick, the double cork. No, that physical and emotional pain is not what I am talking about.

It feels as if my teeth are a little loose but not to the touch. When my toothbrush pushes against them, they have that ache that runs through the nerves. I am going to see Dr. Azani in 4 days to get the attachment that fell off placed back on my molar. While he is back there, maybe he can take a look at the other teeth to make sure nothing strange is going on.

Also, my congrats go out to Lindsey Vonn (Gold) and Julia Mancuso (Silver) in the Alpine Downhill, Shawn White and Scott Lago (Bronze) in the Snowboard Halfpipe, and Shani Davis (Gold) and Chad Hedrick (Bronze) in Men's Speedskating (1000m) the for all of their medal wins today. It was a good day for the USA!!!

Pain Level - 4
Dedication Level - 9
Irritation Level - 4

Invisalign - DAY 31

I can see how people start to get lazy with putting their aligners in for 20-22 hours a day. It is weird to keep these plastic trays in your mouth when you feel they are doing absolutely nothing.

Sure, for the first couple of days your teeth hurt and you know the aligners are doing something (that reminds me of Carl...inside joke, I tell you later). But now, I just feel like I have these contraptions in my mouth that give me something to chew on all day. It is akin to chewing plastic gum with no flavor...and you can't even blow bubbles. Come on, now!!!

I have heard the teeth move the most for the first couple of days with the new aligners. Although I am only guessing here, since I am not an Orthodontist, I think it is the same concept as weighlifting (don't worry, I know I have to reference the WINTER Olympics...I'll get there) where you work a muscle hard at first then rest it, only to work it hard again. Any Orthodontists reading this can chime in. I don't have a problem being told I am completely wrong.

Look, I only want to do this once. I will keep my tasteless aligners in for the 20 to 22 hours (that sounds cool, "20 to 22 hours"). I don't want to put all of this time in, get to the end and know that I did a "Method Grab" like Lindsey Jacobellis at the Torino Olympics in 2006 and screw this up. I do not want to take the chance of coming back hoping for a different result only to have "contact with the gate" and not get closer to the Gold Medal my second time out (see, I told you I would get there).

BTW, Carl is a programmer that would write code and, whether the data was correct or not, as long as it "did something" he was happy. Carl was a very happy man.

Pain Level - 0
Dedication Level - 9
Irritation Level - 6 (they should flavor to the aligners - it would be great to be chewing on chocolate 22 hours of the day)

Invisalign - DAY 30

I don't know if my teeth are getting whiter or my liver has failed. I am hoping for the prior.

You are told when you get Invisalign that you can not eat with them in. Also, you are only allowed to drink water. You can have soda, tea, coffee, beer...whatever you want...but you will have to take your aligners out while you do, and you will have to brush your teeth when you are finished.

Because of this, I have been brushing my teeth, on average, about 8 times a day:

1. After my shower in the morning
2. After my morning coffee
3. After lunch
4. After a mid day snack (or frappaccino)
5. After my snack in the car on the way home (Wisps)
6. After dinner
7. After Fo-Yo (Menchie's)
8. After my late night snack before bed

I am not sure, but I don't think excessive brushing leads to your liver shutting down, so I am assuming that my teeth are becoming whiter from the gobs of Crest Whitening Toothpaste I slather inside my mouth.

I put my face up against the television the other day and noticed from my reflection that they are whiter than the slush that Seth Wescott had to snowboard through to win his Gold Medal in Snowboard Cross.

I better not lose my enamal or end up with blue teeth, 'cause then I am going to pissed, like the Russian Pairs Figure Skaters who failed to stand on the podium after dominating that sport for the last 12 years. Yeah, I would be that pissed, and the last thing you want is a pissed Russian to deal with.

Pain Level - 0
Dedication Level - 9.5
Irritation Level - 5 (constantly removing and inserting my aligners)

Invisalign - DAY 28

So, I started to notice that my gum line started to hurt on the bottom in the back on both sides of my jaw. I thought this was kind of weird. I only found out what the problem was when I went to take my trays out for an afternoon snack.

I stuck my thumbs in the back to pop the trays off and it was exactly where the pain was coming from. I don't remember scratching these areas with either of my fingernails. I think it is because this is the same area I have used since beginning of this process.

Since the attachments could be in precarious locations, you will find an area on the aligners where it is the easiest to remove them from your teeth. Sort of the way USA Gold Medalist Hannah Kearney used the same line in the Women's Moguls that she knew would get her the best result in the Vancouver Olympics.

However, sometimes that line doesn't work and you have difficulties like Canada's Kristi Richards, who felt the pain and crashed before finishing. A different line might have helped her out and allowed her to get to the end.

Yes, I am going to have to look for other ways to get these aligners out, but maybe return to the one that worked the best at a later date.

Pain Level - 4
Dedication Level - 8 (had to take them out longer today for a Callback)
Irritation Level - 4 (and on Valentine's Day to boot)

Invisalign - DAY 26

In honor of the first day of the 2010 Olympic games in Vancouver Cananda, and every blog until the closing ceremony, I will try to pay homage to the games while still staying true to reason for this blog.

Today, there are many people getting ready for a journey of a lifetime. One that, they hope, will change their lives for the better (pretty good so far, huh?). Some will fail, yes. But it is a true 'fail'? They put the work in, the dedication, and had the drive to see this to the end.

My goal throughout this process is not to have the best outcome, but to do my best to make sure that, any outcome, I have given my best and the end result will make me proud...proud to know that I have given it my all and that is all I can give.

Alright, today was a little lapse. I was playing on the Internet, got distracted and forgot to put my aligners back in after lunch. Whoops. Okay, so it was only an extra hour, but I can make that up easily. I think of today as my Cross Country Skiing competition...I was doing great until that bunny jumped in front of me and I just had to pet it for a while...but time is a-wasting and now I have to get back on the trail and finish this race.

I don't know about you, but I think these next couple of entries are going to be fun...or maybe just for me.

Pain Level - 2 (slight headache and jaw ache)
Dedication Level - 9 (in Silver right now, but hoping for a Gold by the end of the day)
Irritation Level - 0

Helpful Hint: make sure you have a backup of everything you are using to clean your aligners. A small bathroom case could hold everything you need. FYI - Polident kills 99.9% of germs, which comes in handy for those days when your aligners shoot out of your mouth quickly in the public restroom.

Invisalign - DAY 24

So, I have been back on track with the 'time allotted' regarding the aligners off my teeth. YAY, me.

Since putting in Tray #2, I have noticed that my two front teeth on top are sore, but only when I take my trays off to eat. I guess this means they are working. Can I get another yay?

YAY!!

Also, since putting in the new aligners, the left side of my tongue is a little sore. I have looked at it and it doesn't have any scratches on it. I am not sure if maybe the edges of the new aligners are 'irritating' the side of my tongue. It is only sore when they are in, so I think this is the issue. It is not bothersome enough to tell the dentist.

A close friend starts their 13th Tray of 13 this week. I am jealous for two reasons:

1. She is on her last tray
2. She only had 13 trays

We love ya, Marybeth, but this just is not fair.

Pain Level - 1
Dedication Level - 10 (Yay, again)
Irritation Level - 4 (for the scraping of my tongue)

Invisalign - DAY 22 - Start of Tray #2

I have been a bad boy.

I recently took a trip to Ohio to visit my Grandmother on her 92nd birthday. No, that is not why I am a bad boy. The reason I am a bad boy is that I fell out of my routine with Invisalign.

Thinking about how much time I was visiting family and eating and talking and visiting and talking and eating and eating and eating, I started to add up the time I was without my aligners and it is not good. It is amazing how I am using this blog as a reminder to myself to keep my aligners in. I should have taken my wife's laptop with me so I could have blogged while away and not been in this predicament.

Thinking back about the three days I was either traveling in a plane or on the dirty slush-covered roads, or within the snow-blanketed homes of my family partaking in Donatos Pizza and Donuts and Coca Cola and Cookies and Birthday Cake and French Fries and Hamburgers, I was probably without my aligners on day one for about 6 hours, day two for about 7 hours, and day three for another 6 hours.

Sorry, honey, if you are reading this. My bad. But, we were told there would be days like this.

That said, my wife and I just started on Tray #2 last night. I don't want to say I was in pain, but the fit was definitely tighter than when I put on Tray #1 with the attachments. These aligners were pretty snug, but I think I got used to them within the half hour...or so I thought.

This morning, I awoke and removed the aligners for their daily bath in CVS Brand Polident. Once out, my front bottom teeth had a dull ache to them. So did all of my canine teeth. I did have my new aligners in for about 10 hours overnight, but maybe I should have taken them out during the evening hours at least once to give my teeth a rest from this self-induced torture.

I am now suffering with a very bad headache, probably from the new movement of the teeth into their future positions. I am hoping my teeth find their new location soon as I am running out of Advil.

I have been diligent with my aligners today and, hopefully, will continue to be as diligent as I was before my relapse. I feel like an alcoholic who fell off the wagon, although I'm not sure that is a good analagy since I am not an alcoholic. I am possibly feeling the same guilt, at least I would guess. Maybe I should look for a sponsor.

Pain Level - 7 (for both the dull ache in my teeth and my head)
Dedication Level - 1 (for the lapse)
Irritation Level - 4 (the headache, I'm sure, is the reason everything is irritating me)

Here are my teeth at the end of Tray #1:

Invisalign - DAY 17

Well, good news, I guess. I called the DDS today regarding my attachment and it's decision to become a pizza topping. I asked Dr. Azani if there was anything to worry about and he informed me that there wasn't. It was an attachment that was on a molar in the back that is not moving my teeth that much, I assume.

He told me to go to my second tray, but before I start my third tray (in three weeks) to stop on by and he will add it again. Happy days. I just hope they can make it stay this time.

I am getting to be a pro at taking out my aligners now. It used to be too much of a hassle, now it's alright. I do notice that I want to leave them in more, though. It is because the attachments are not soft. They have a course feel to them and some come to a point that rub the inside of your cheek pretty fierce (I never thought I would use that word in a sentence).

I am taking a small vacation so I will see how dedicated I become out of the normalcy of everyday life. Wish me luck.

Pain Level - 3 (occational head and tooth ache)
Dedication Level - 10 (for now)
Irritation Level - 5 (the tiny sores on my cheeks from the attachments)

Invisalign - DAY 16

So, I think we have figured out how to get these aligners off our teeth with the attachments (I was calling them buttons, but I guess that is not what the industry calls them). If you are having issues taking them off and you don't want to use an crochet needle, it is pretty simple:

1. Pull the top front of the aligner off of any molars that do not have any attachements on them. Do this only on one side of your mouth.
2. Push on the back side of the aligner with your thumb as you pull down on the front of the aligner with your fingernail.
3. Go around and do this for every area that has an attachment. Do not try to take your aligner off from both sides at the same time.

Obviously, practice makes perfect, but both my wife and I have mastered this in just two days. I just don't want anyone to get as frustrated as I did and start to get discouraged about doing Invisalign.

One bad thing; I was eating pizza tonight with my wife and thought I hit a burnt piece of crust as it was very crunchy. After finishing, I ran my tounge across my attachments and realized one was missing. It was the same one that the Ortho had a difficult time putting on initially. I am truly bummed that it has only been two days and I am already having difficulties with the attachments attaching.

I will be calling the office tomorrow, and hopefully they will be able to add it back on soon.

Pain Level - 3 (certain teeth have a dull pain)
Dedication Level - 10
Irritation Level - 8.5 (losing the attachment bummed me out)

Invisalign - DAY 15

Today was the day...this was supposed to be the day where we moved from Tray One to Tray Two. Unfortunately, that was not to be.

We went to our appointment to get our "buttons" put on our teeth. These are dots that protrude from certain predetermined teeth. The teeth that are chosen are selected by the Orthodontist and Invisalign that will maximize the movement of the teeth into the correct position. I had 10 buttons, my wife had 12. I asked the technician who was applying them if that was average and she said that is about right.

I was truly worried that with 10 buttons in obvious areas on my teeth I would be limited to acting roles, at least for a while. I mean, how many Shakespeare characters had Invialign buttons on their teeth. The technician said she was done and said I could rinse over by the sink. When I got to the sink, I looked in the mirror and smiled...and I couldn't see them. I was completely surprised. I rinsed and went back to the dentist's chair.

I guess one of the buttons did not adhere to my tooth so she had to try again...and again...and again. The tech decided it would be best to ask the Orthodontist to try and make it stay. Finally, all 10 were on. The Ortho informed us that we would need to stay in Tray One for one more week. We were bummed but we plan on doing what the doctor says. We left the office and were on our way.

The buttons add a weird sensation in your mouth, like you have food stuck on your teeth that doesn't go away. My wife and I decided that if it felt like we had food on our teeth, why not take advantage of it and have lunch. After lunch, we brushed out teeth and in went our trays that we had been using for the last 2 weeks. One more week, that is all. Then we could move to Tray Two.

Dinner time came and we knew it was time to take out trays out. We were told they would be difficult, but that is an understatement. I took my bottom aligner out fine, which is funny since that is the one with 6 buttons on it. When it came to taking off my top aligner, that was a chore. I think I cracked two fingernails when it hit me how much I was in trouble. 10 minutes later, I found a section of the aligner that doesn't snug that tight to my teeth and angled it just right to finally get it off. Whew!!!

I have read that people had problems at first and I did not believe them. Now, I am worried about going to Tray Two. Hopefully the aligners will start to stretch and this will get easier. I know that, right now, if I wanted to eat anything I would have second thoughts. Is it really worth it to take out the aligners? No, not at all. This might be a long week.

Here are photos where you can see 5-6 of the buttons they added to my teeth:



Pain Level - 4
Dedication Level - 10+ (I just don't want to take my aligners out anymore)
Irritation Level - 0.5 ( I am stoked that my teeth are moving...YAY!!)

Helpful Hint: When you go to your Orthodontist, ask to see your ClinCheck. This is a short 5-10 second film that shows the progression from what your teeth currently look like to what the final product 'should' look like. It might not be exact, but it is a great motivator to keep your aligners in for the alloted time.

Invisalign - DAY 11

My wife asked me last night if I was experiencing any weird 'taste' in the back of my throat since starting Invisalign. She had read on the Internet that this was a symptom some people did experience. I thought about it and realized I had not. However, it made me think about something else. Since starting, I have had, what feels like, an abundance of phlegm.

I have been clearing my throat for the last week and was wondering if I was catching something. I've been pretty healthy for the last couple of months, but it is Wintertime and the H1N1 virus is hiding in every handshake. And, I 'vitaminize' on a daily basis; CoQ10, One-A-Day for Men, D3, Milk Thistle, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Fish Oil, Acidophilus (I am so old)...so maybe I wasn't sick.

This morning I woke up with morning breath (boy, do I sound attractive), but it seemed a little different this time. I took out my aligners and the 'flavor' was not going away. There is was...not that Invisalign 'aesthetic' but that hypochondriac response of mine. Now I am noticing it constantly. Damn my psychosis!

The savoriness of my aligners aside, I am still experiencing achy-ness in regards to my back molars. It is not my wisdom teeth (yes, I still have them) but the molars just in front of them. And, they only hurt with my aligners in. I am not sure if this is going to cause me trouble for months to come. I will bring it up to the Orthodontist and let you know what he says.

I have looked in the mirror at these teeth and noticed they seem to be turning and moving closer to my cheeks, so maybe they are just sensitive because of the shifting that is happening. Of course, I could be wrong and they haven't moved at all. Damn my bad vision!!

I have acting class tonight so I am not sure about keeping my aligners in. So far, they have been out for about 2 hours, so I think I might be a little over today. And, I was doing so well. Damn my propensity for fickleness and perfidy!!!

Someone get this thesaurus away from me.

Pain Level - 4.5

Dedication Level - 8 (I am assume class will be rough)

Irritation Level - 3 (except for the pain, not much to irritate me)

Total Time Aligners Out - 5 Hours (guess-timate)

Invisalign - DAY 10

I wonder if my back teeth are starting to hurt for the following reasons:

1. I am grinding my teeth, which I notice I have been since adding plastic into the equation

2. I am starting to get cavities, which I feel would be an impossiblity since I am brushing my teeth over 5 times a day

3. My back teeth are the one's that they are starting to move with the Invisalign so the rest of the teeth will have someplace to move later

I am hoping that it is #3. Please, for the love of everything holy, be #3!!!

I am playing with my aligners a lot. I find it fun that they are moving easily around my teeth now. I will pop them halfway up my teeth so there is some pressure and them snap them back into place. Wee, what fun. It's the little things, folks. I might as well enjoy now since my 'buttons' go on in 5 days.

I have an audition today for an ESPN Promo so I will probably take them out for that. Soon, I don't think that will be an option. I am sure I will still make it under the 4-hours-out time limit.

Pain Level - 3
Dedication Level - 10
Irritation Level - 2.5

Invisalign - DAY 8

Well, I am one day behind but that is only because I was on the set late last night and had to get up for work 4 hours later. I took my own advice and rationed my 'time' and was able to only have my aligners out for 2 hours on the set, making it around 4 hours total with them out. YAY, me.

As I write this, my eyes are heavy with the thoughts of sleep, so I will just put jot down the levels today and catch you on the back end of tomorrow. Nighty night.

Day 7
Pain Level - 2.5 (for that spot on my cheek I keep biting)

Dedication Level - 10

Irritation Level - 2.5 (again, for that spot on my cheek I keep biting)

Total Time with Aligners Out - 4 Hours

Day 8
Pain Level - 2.5
Dedication Level - 10
Irritation Level - 5 (for chapped lips, cheek sore and overall tiredness)

Total Time with Aligners Out - 2 Hours (so far)

Invisalign - DAY 6

I knew today was going to be a rough day for me. I was going to be on the set and there was not going to be a lot of time where I could have my aligners in my mouth. I spent the whole day trying to cut 'time' corners so I could make it under 4 hours with them out.

It didn't help that they were out for 1.5 hours for breakfast at Bob's Big Boy. Don't get me wrong, the "Big Two" was delicious and well worth the missing aligners, as was the Starbuck's Frappaccino (yes, that's right, you can keep your Starbuck's stocks...for now). Lunch would be better, I know it. Dedication was there.

Since we decided that this was our bad day, Domino's pizza was in our future for lunch. We could order it for delivery (and extra 30 minutes with my aligners in) and not worry about time until they arrived. That was using the noggin, right?

45 minutes later they were back in. What the...?!?!? I was not saving any time what-so-ever. Here is a little hint for future reference, don't eat pizza in front of the television. I don't know what I watched, but damn that show...damn it straight to Hades!!!

I knew they were going to have Subway subs on the set at 11 PM so I decided to nosh on some Triskets (Cracked Pepper - highly advised to be in your kitchen pantry) so 15 additional minutes put me at 2.5 hours. I don't know if the headache I was getting was from lack of healthy substance in my system or my single-handed self-destruction of loyalty regarding the Orthodontist's rules for Invisalign.

Long story short, on the set they were out for about 3 hours. Not a good day at all for Invisalign. Great day for acting, though. I guess that is a good trade-off, right?

Pain Level - 3

Dedication Level - 5 (not a good day)

Irritation Level - 7 (more towards myself than towards Invisalign)

Total Time with Aligners Out - 5.5 Hours

Invisalign - DAY 5

I am finding it hard to jump online more than once a day so I am going to change the format of this blog. I find it easier to sit down at the end of the day, gather my thoughts and vomit them all over the Internet at once. I guess you can call this my exorcism...ignore the corn.

I hate to keep talking about the difficulty I have with my morning coffee, but it is truly becoming a pain. I have realized that I hate the taste of coffee. And, when you have to chug it to get your morning dose of caffiene, it is not a good way to start the day, I don't care how much Folgers tries to sell me on that (do they still make Folgers?). It looks as if my morning coffee is going "bye bye", at least for now. For those of you who have stock in Starbucks, I would sell them off real soon.

It seems like my aligners are real easy to put in and take out now. I am not sure if my teeth have finished moving with these aligners but they just pop right in and out (the aligners, not my teeth). There is a little discomfort around where the teeth need to move the most, but not as bad as it was 5 days ago.

And, I can not believe how much water I am drinking and yet my lips are getting so chapped. I have tubes of chapstick all over the apartment, in every cubby hole in the car, in every jacket pocket. Note to self: purchase stock in Chapstick.

Aligners Out of Mouth:
Breakfast - 45 Mins
Lunch - 45 Mins
Snack/Trip Home - 30 Mins
Dinner - 1 Hour 30 Mins

Total Time - 3 Hours 30 Mins

Pain Level - 0 (headaches seem to be gone)
Dedication Level - 10 (yay, me)
Irritation Level - 1.5

Invisalign - DAY 4

7:58 AM

I have this constant, dull headache in the mornings that just won't go away. I hope this does not become a constant occurrence for the next 9 months.

I had a butt-load of work once I came in so my breakfast sat on my desk for a while before I could get to it. I also had to wait for my coffee to cool down. I had my aligners out for a half hour before I took one sip of caffeine or one bite of morning substance. Note to self: don't be in such a hurry to take the plastic out of your mouth. Better yet, put an ice cube in your coffee so you can drink it immediately.


Aligners Out of Mouth - 1 Hour


10:17 AM

I am not getting used to the saliva factor. Seriously, where did all of it come from?

I believe my bite is being corrected in the back before all my front teeth are shifted. I am not sure about this, but it feels like my back teeth have been pulled out (towards my cheeks). It just feels like my bite is somewhat off back there. Of course, I am only guessing.

Aligners Out of Mouth - 45 Mins


11:03 PM

I had acting class tonight and was surprised at how many people did not notice the aligners (or, if they did, they didn't mention it).

I am catching myself looking at other's teeth and seeing if either 1. they are wearing Invisalign or 2. they need to have some work done on their teeth. I don't think I have ever looked at some one's mouth while they are talking and now I am doing it all the time. Don't worry, you will do it, too.

Had dinner before class so...


Aligners Out of Mouth - 45 Mins

Pain Level - 1
Dedication Level - 10
Irritation Level - 1 (for the morning headache)

Total Time with Aligners Out of Mouth - 2.5 Hours

Invisalign - DAY 3

7:45 AM

I awoke with a splitting headache. I am not one to get headaches, so I am sure it is because of my moving teeth. Taking out my aligners, I have noticed a change in my bite. Teeth are touching that haven't touched in a long time. However, I am not seeing any changes in the mirror. It is very strange.

I've had to chug my coffee the last two days and believe it is burning a hole in my stomach, and that hole is draining straight into my bladder. I am just not used to eating and drinking my breakfast so quick. Maybe I should just pour it straight into the urinal.

My wife did some research last night and on most of the Ortho office websites that offer Invisalign, they say the aligners need to stay in between 20-22 hours a day. I think I am going to strive for 20 hours, since I started off not doing so well. Also, I am going to start saying "aligners" instead of "trays" since that sounds so cafeterian. So, that said...

Aligners Out of Mouth - 45 Mins.


12:03 PM

Pride took over today. I had to give a presentation at work today and was not sure how I would sound so I took out my aligners. I am beating myself up because the meeting went longer than I thought and cut into my "free time" of "teeth breathing". What was I thinking?!?!?! I am just glad it went straight into my lunch.

Aligners Out of Mouth - 1 hour 30 Mins.


2:29 PM

I am not one to grind my teeth, but I am finding it difficult not to. Grind might not be the right word...bite incessantly might be a better term. Unfortunately, every time I "bite", my teeth begin to ache which causes me to get a headache. I hate how the human body works.

Also, I have noticed that my upper lip protrudes ever-so-slightly, even though the aligners are made of thin plastic. I think it is because of the "bulbs" in them where the appliances are going to go. I am sure it is not noticeable to anyone else. I realize I am noticing the small things, but I am sure this is normal at first.

Had to snack so...

Aligners Out of Mouth - 15 Mins.


9:16 PM

I have to say if you are a woman and thinking about Invisalign, I hope you don't like your nails. We have a friend who warned us that fingernails were going to take a beating and she wasn't lying. I have been using my nails to get my aligners off my teeth and have breaks in my nails that go past where any nail should break. And we still don't have the appliances on our teeth yet that will hold the aligners on TIGHTER. I am so screwed.


Also, I notice how sensitive my teeth are getting after only three days. My bottom front teeth are the worst, of course they have moved the most so they are probably the ones getting the most workout. I can not believe it has only been three days and I already sound like I need a binky.

I realized that you have no idea what my teeth look like so here are photos I took on Day 1, and I will shoot and post additional photos as I go through my aligners...Enjoy.

Actually, that is kind of creepy. Sorry. Took the aligners out for dinner and a snack so...

Aligners Out of Mouth - 1 hour

Pain Level - 2

Dedication Level - 10 (since switching to 20 hours a day)

Irritation Level - 2.5 (and rising)

Total Time with Aligners Out of Mouth - 3 Hours

Helpful Hint: In regards to taking off the aligners with your nails, we were told by our Orthodontist's assistant that if you had any issues you could always use a crochet hook to get them off.