My Invisalign Journey

A New Smile in Progress.

I’ve always had an overbite, but instead of wearing braces like all my friends in school, I embraced it and made my “Bugs Bunny” teeth part of my identity. However, in the last few years, I started to notice that my teeth had shifted and my overbite was becoming more pronounced. It also started to affect my speech slightly. So, I decided to finally correct my teeth.

Embarking on the path to a more confident smile is an exciting and enlightening experience. Choosing Invisalign, a modern and discreet orthodontic treatment, has offered me a chance to align my teeth while maintaining comfort and aesthetics. Here’s a glimpse into the start of my Invisalign journey (and in case you’re wondering, this is not a sponsored post).

About Orchard Scotts Dental: Pioneers in Invisalign

My journey began at Orchard Scotts Dental where I’ve been going to get my teeth cleaned for the last few years—they are also a leading dental clinic renowned for its expertise in Invisalign. As one of the first clinics in Singapore to introduce this innovative treatment, they have earned a reputation for excellence in creating customised, effective solutions for patients.

The clinic is helmed by a team of highly skilled professionals, including Dr Ronnie Yap, a pioneer in Invisalign with years of experience in treating diverse and complex cases. Orchard Scotts Dental is committed to staying at the forefront of dental technology, making them a trusted choice for those seeking world-class orthodontic care.

Understanding Invisalign

For those unfamiliar, Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic solution that uses custom-made, clear aligners to gently adjust the position of your teeth. Unlike traditional braces, these aligners are nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for adults and teenagers alike. With its advanced technology, Invisalign has transformed countless smiles worldwide.

My journey began with a comprehensive assessment at the clinic. Dr Ronnie Yap, a highly experienced Invisalign provider, led the way. Known for his expertise and extensive experience in treating complex dental cases, Dr Yap is an authority in this field. His reassuring approach immediately put me at ease.

The process started with detailed photographs and X-rays of my teeth. These images offered a thorough insight into my dental structure and became the foundation for planning my treatment. I also filled out a health questionnaire, which thankfully confirmed no major issues apart from occasional migraines—likely unrelated to dental concerns.

Setting Goals and Expectations

During the consultation, I shared my goals: enhancing the aesthetics of my smile and addressing minor speech concerns. Dr Yap carefully analysed my teeth and jaw structure, identifying areas to focus on:

– My narrow jaw needs widening to create a balanced alignment.

– My front teeth require inward adjustment, while the lower teeth need straightening and spreading out to resolve overcrowding.

– Due to this overcrowding, slight sandpapering (or interproximal reduction) of the lower teeth may be needed.

Interestingly, Dr Yap also pointed out that I have a reverse smile curvature and an off-centre line—details I had never noticed before. These subtle irregularities can impact the harmony of a smile, and correcting them is part of the plan.

We discussed how Invisalign treatments differ between teenagers and adults. As teenagers’ bones are softer and more malleable, teeth adjustments are quicker and more extensive. For adults like myself, the process is slightly more challenging and time-intensive due to mature bone structures.

Embracing Realistic Outcomes

 One thing I appreciate about Dr Yap’s approach is his honesty. While he aims to correct as much as possible, I made it clear that I’m comfortable with the way I look and am not seeking perfection. My goal is to enhance my smile while maintaining authenticity.

Dr Yap also touched on how oral health ties into overall well-being. He explained that I’m fortunate not to suffer from issues like poor sleep or chronic headaches, which can sometimes result from dental misalignments. This aligns with what I’ve read in Breathe, a fascinating book that highlights how nasal breathing is essential for health, while mouth breathing can lead to various issues, including dental misalignments. My healthy lifestyle has undoubtedly contributed to avoiding these problems.

What’s Next?

After our in-depth consultation, we proceeded with scans of my teeth. These 3D scans, along with additional X-rays and photos, will be used to create a personalised treatment plan. In my next visit, I’ll get to see the 3D simulation of my future smile and discuss the specifics of my Invisalign journey.

The road ahead promises to be both challenging and rewarding. I’m excited to see how Invisalign will not only transform my smile but also offer me a deeper understanding of my oral health. Follow me as I share updates on my progress and insights along the way.

The First 10 Days

I picked up my first set of aligners today and my kit comprised of one pair of upper and lower aligners, two chewies, toothbrush and toothpaste, an instruction booklet and a DentalMonitoring kit which allows me to scan my teeth at home. After watching the instructional videos, I was shown how to place and remove my aligners as well as use the DentalMonitoring kit to scan my teeth.

 

DentalMonitoring is completely transforming how people experience orthodontic treatment. Instead of frequent trips to the clinic, I can simply take photos of my teeth from the comfort of home and send them to my orthodontist through the app. The flexibility to stay on top of my treatment remotely has been a real game-changer.

One outstanding feature is the app’s time-lapse tool which will let me see my smile transforming in real-time, and keep me motivated and excited about my progress. Plus, knowing that my orthodontist is monitoring everything remotely gives me peace of mind. They’ll only call me in for an appointment when it’s genuinely necessary, which saves me so much time.

Having the aligners in my mouth took some getting used to as it called for frequent visits to the toilet to remove and place them in; it also gave me a slight lisp which is rather amusing. However, all these are small inconveniences if I can achieve straighter teeth and a better smile at the end of my treatment. Stay tuned for my next update.

After 10 Days

I have been wearing my first aligners and was fastidious with them. The initial struggle to remove and insert them dissipated quickly with practice and I was starting to get the hang of it. The next stage of my teeth straightening journey is to place attachments (or “buttons”) on my teeth as well as elastics (or “rubber bands”).

Attachments are small, tooth-coloured bumps that are bonded to the teeth. They help to grip your teeth and guide them into place. Each attachment is custom-made and meant to help with complex tooth movements. The elastics are small, flexible bands and add extra pressure to correct bite issues like my overbite. They will be fastened to the attachments and to be removed with the aligners when I’m eating.

As with all procedures at Orchard Scotts Dental, adding the attachments was fairly comfortable, only requiring me to stretch my mouth open with a mouth piece. However, they felt strange on my teeth and I have to get used to these new protrusions. I also struggled to remove the aligners as they are extra tight now. Luckily, the clinic has hooks which will help me (after I broke a nail doing it).

 At that point, I couldn’t help but question if it was a right decision to do this as it was troublesome but seeing my second scan and noticing that my teeth had shifted only after 10 days, was all the motivation I needed to carry on my treatment.

Costs: Price on application

Orchard Scotts Dental

541 Orchard Road

#07-01/02 Liat Towers
Singapore 238881