Fillings with Invisalign

For those of you who are searching the internet for information about getting fillings with Invisalign, read this:  yesterday, I got three fillings with Invisalign.

I have read a number of posts online that say one cannot get fillings with Invisalign because they will affect the fit of the aligners.  This was not true in my case!

With that being said, I would like to point out that I strongly recommend going to a dentist who also specializes in Invisalign even if not affiliated with your orthodontist.  Read on for more information.

I found out at my dentist appointment in September that I had some small cavities on the chewing surfaces of my teeth that needed filled.  This was not surprising to me at all since I had not been to the dentist in probably 7 years.  My dentist told me that day that she would be able to fill them without affecting the fit of my aligners.  She said they could call my orthodontist just to be sure, but this was their protocol.

(I called my orthodontist just to be sure.) :)

My appointment was yesterday, and I didn't really know what to expect.  I also wondered how long everything would take since I would have my aligners out of my mouth the whole time.  I started with 4 novocaine shots to numb my mouth.  I had what seemed like quite a bit of topical anesthetic, so I couldn't really feel the shots--especially in comparison to those in the roof of my mouth during oral surgery in August!

After I was nice and numb, we went through with the fillings.  The dentist "cleaned out" the cavities first, which required the use of some drill-like tool that seemed to vibrate my skull.  The vibrations didn't bother me as much as the volume of everything.  It was so loud!  I wish I had some ear plugs or music or something!  That was pretty much past my noise tolerance--and I'm a teacher! :)

After all of that was finished, I waited a bit and then had them filled.  Lucky for me, the fillings are tooth-colored, so you can't even tell they're there!  How cool!

After a little over an hour, my teeth were good as new.  The dentist put my aligners in and then had me bite down to check that they were okay.  She even took a mirror to my mouth to be sure they were fitting in the back.  And they were!  I wasn't sure at first (and was concerned because of other blog posts I've read about this going horribly wrong), but everything was fine later.  My aligners fit like they did beforehand!

My mouth was considerably numb after everything.  I had a little under two hours before my next class afterwards, but the numbness didn't really subside until later in the afternoon.  (Thus, I taught the first day of flowchart proofs with a numb chin/lip/tongue, trying not to slur my words too much!)  I'd say I pulled it off well.

So... curious minds of Invisalign patients out there, worry no more!  Fillings can be done with Invisalign!  Of course, all cases are different, but it worked JUST fine for me!

I have 5 days left of tray 3.  Next Wednesday, I get some fancy attachments and more aligners!  Hip-hip-hooray!