My friend was asking why only now that I want to straighten my teeth at the age of 40, since our teeth will be brittle or gone as we aged. Because only now I found affordable aligners and that it didn't required any teeth extraction. I'm so afraid of teeth extraction. No way!
I have gone for Invisalign consultation many years back at Orchard area and I got to know of the clinic through those influencers. It was just so expensive. Can go up to $10k. That time I was thinking of taking up 0% instalment using DBS credit card and I even went to get my then-boyfriend now husband to sign up for the card and sup me (hehehe... he didn't mind so thank you). But I eventually gave up the idea. Still way too expensive even by using instalments.
A short rant posts previously, probably you can read them here: Invisalign Pre-Consultation and Update - Invisalign and you will understand why only after 8 years then I proceed with the aligners. Back then I don't earn much too.
How did I get to know Smile Direct Club? When I was watching Youtube video and their ad just popped in (those annoying 5 secs ads before you can skip). They won me over with the price and also no tooth extraction. Since one of the clinics is just at Raffles Place, I booked myself an appointment during my lunch hour to begin this journey.
Once the appointment was confirmed, I went for a last minute scaling and polishing of my teeth over the weekend so that I won't look like a dirty fellow with a stain on my front teeth (damn it!). Must be very prepared for that. The self-conscious in me.
After all the introduction, Q&A and briefings, teeth scanning was next. I have already set my mind to proceed so immediately signed up for it.
So my aligners were made based on 3D scan below. My upper set of front teeth looked straight but the reality wasn't after looking at the scan result.
When finished, I am given a free whitening kit. I tried it at home and it was fun. Just need to plug into my phone, wear it for 5 minutes and done. Gel provided. I feel myself drooling all over the first time I used. So crazy.
Documented my crowded set of lower front teeth for a before and after results. I really pray for a miracle on my teeth. I want my confidence smile back!
Finally it arrived on 23 Aug 2021 in the late afternoon. And I know the shit gets real now. FIX THE TEETH STELLA! Bring the confidence back. Inside the box contains my supply of aligners for 4 months, a container for the aligners, whitening gel, lip balm, remover and mints. Plus instructions on how to care for the aligners, the dos and don'ts.
Put on my 1st set at night (as suggested). A little difficult to put for the lower set of teeth but manage to put in without breaking it. There wasn't any uncomfortable feeling but just felt that I couldn't speak comfortably and tight.
They will send a link via SMS where you can see your parcel's whereabout and also for you to register the date when you start 1st set of aligners. Once you register, a calendar will pop out to tell you when is the next switch of your aligners. And indicator of how many sets you are left with.
The front teeth (both upper and lower set) hurt a little while brushing and couldn't bite without feeling pain. I realized that on the 2nd day when I took out my aligners to brush my teeth. But after a few days, the pain subsided and the aligners didn't feel that tight and easy to put on and take out. I will get used to this process.
5th Set of Aligners
I felt a crack with my tongue on the lower set of aligners. Didn't know until my tongue felt like a cut or something. Sad but I still wore them with extra care because I scared I would spoilt it or cut my tongue. Not gonna waste any sets because we are talking about money spent yo.
6th Set of Aligners
I started to get lazy from my 6th set of aligners. Usually I would be time conscious (because you must wear 22 hours a day) and also brush my teeth before wearing back every meal. Now I would rinse my mouth clean and wore back, especially when I'm outside. Till date, I realized my toothpaste usage kind of fast.
27-28 Oct 2021
I started to experience pain especially on my upper set of front teeth when I drank cold plain water (again). I'm like every other days I drank that too and only until now it hurts. Why? Just water from the dispenser. Is it because I brushed too much teeth or what? The pain was really unbearable though for awhile like 10-15 seconds.
People brain freeze, I teeth freeze. Whattt?!??!!
AFTER 2 MONTHS AND 10 DAYS
Please tell me if you see a difference. Hard to tell, right? Seems to be adjusting a little. Mister said so too. But I'm still not satisfied because it wasn't that obvious. I must see that my chipped off tooth straighten up then it will mean my lower set of teeth are really straighten. Buck up Stella! Stop that laziness.
15 Nov 2021
Onto my 10th set of aligners and on the packet, it stated that I should order my retainers now. Until 19 Nov 2021, I finally placed my order through the live chat option rather than the website or hotline on the packet. Relieved now as I'm left with 3 more weeks (last 2 sets). And in the email on my retainers order, we have to continue wearing the last pair of aligners till we received our retainers to prevent our teeth from shifting back.
The progress was a slow one but kind of visible now. Need to buck up with 22 hours of wearing. Must not give up for my smile.
21 Aug 2021 vs 30 Nov 2021
My God!!! After 3 months, my wish for straighten teeth is coming true. On my last set of aligners which supposed to wear for 2 weeks or more till my retainers arrived. I'm so happy and gonna work hard on wearing and not taking out always.
3 Dec 2021
Received my retainers in the evening. But not gonna wear them till I'm done with 2 weeks for my last set of aligners, or maybe longer till I'm satisfied with the alignment. Almost there, just that little bit push. The retainers have to be wore for 22 hours a day for 2 weeks. After that wear only at night. Order every 6 months for a fresh retainers.
I'm actually not pleased with the package because even if it is put inside the bubble-wrapped envelope but it still feels so not secure because the envelope wasn't thick enough to prevent my retainers from cracking, if possible. $120 for one set of retainers. Not free ya.
16 Dec 2021
Finally I changing over to my retainers after delaying for 3 days. Showing you peeps my straighten teeth. Am not gonna let it go back to square one and also pleased with the results. After 2 weeks, I shall see if I want to just wear at night (for 10 hours) or wear full day. These set of straighten teeth don't come easy without effort and money.
ENCOUNTERS
Oh... not sure if it was just me but these past 4 months, I kind of have abrasion on the tip of my tongue. Probably because I can't control my tongue feeling the edge of the aligners/retainers. So at times, do be careful not to get cut by the edge even though it wasn't sharp at all.
Another thing will be the upper and lower set of back teeth. I feel that I can't chew for long (like chew 20x before you swallow your food). I can't explain that feeling but I need to slim down and chewing your food longer (20x) helps and I cannot let myself swallow them with a few chews like before.
18 Dec 2021
During Christmas gathering (threesome by the way, lol), my bitches asked got different meh? *roll eyes* Lucky I have my teeth photos from the beginning to show them. Then they said oh... lower set of teeth. Ya lah.
27 Dec 2021
Now I dare to smile a big one with those straighten teeth. No more that toothless feel like the very 1st photo of this post.
30 Dec 2021
Let you all see more of my smile (my face too) and my teeth. Hahaha...
My Mister and friends had witnessed the results and some probably be embarking on the journey next year. Okay I have to emphasize that this works for me. So don't come blame me if it doesn't work on you. Probably you are the problem. Hahaha... Good luck everyone.
Now I can smile confidently and widely. Hope you can too.
Disclaimer: All the above were paid by writer. Not sponsored post.