In the beginning....

Let me introduce myself as Faith. I am from New Zealand, and I am pursuing Invisalign as treatment for my crowded teeth. As a child, my teeth were blessed (and still probably are), as, apart from the crowding – upper and lower – I have not had one filling in my life. No dentistry what so ever. No teeth pulling. No injections, no dribbly lips and numb gums. Needless to say, since I have never been in the hot seat like many of my friends, I am completely phobic of dentists, dental procedures and the smell of dentist. Last time I saw a dentist (before Invisalign) I was 13, and I bit him. I’m 21 now, and still have the nasty rubber glove taste in my mouth.

Many times as a teen I was offered conventional braces by my parents. Dad actually tried to force me, but to no avail. When I hit 13 and started a new school, people with braces were teased, so I wasn’t going to get braces!!! Being already quite unsocial and bookish, I didn’t want to add reason to be teased more.

In February, my father asked me what I wanted for a 21^st present. A holiday? A new TV or something? Jewelery? I answered INVISALIGN!!!! He said, “Invisa-what?” and so I described to him what it was and he seemed interested. He always says “Surely your teeth aren’t that bad! Giz a look” and then I open my mouth, and he said “oh right, now I remember.” Gee, thanks dad.

So, I was nervously excited and had dad to hold my hand at the orthodontists, which is an hour’s trip away, while I had my first consult. My orthodontist is a lovely, gentle man, who takes time to listen to me, so I wasn’t so scared after the first few minutes. He says I’m the perfect candidate for this treatment, and estimates around eight months as the time it will take.

I come away from the appointment very excited, and thinking things will happen fast and soon I will have Invisalign. I then had to make an appointment to see the scary dentist that specialises in pulling teeth, as my wisdom teeth are cutting through and they may need to be removed. After more rubber gloves in my mouth and some xrays, I am told they are fine to stay in or come out, what ever I please. As they aren’t too sore, I choose for them to stay. Mainly because I’m a wuss and would it require a two hour drive to the closest city for general anaesthetic to get all four removed at the same time. Not my cuppa tea thanks mate.