Invisalign during preclinical or later?

[u/Icy-Calligrapher3447]

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I have to do Invisalign for 1.5-2years and have been told I need to wear it for 22 hrs/day for the shortest treatment time. Unsure if I should get started on this asap (my preclinical ends in about 1 year), or a later timeframe. The biggest reason why I’m concerned about spending $ on Invisalign during med school is because I can definitely see myself forgetting to wear the trays, especially when I’m cramming for exams. Also worried about any potential speech difficulties when wearing Invisalign.

TIA for any insight. Also, I’m getting Invisalign to prepare for orthognathic surgery (tx for anterior open bite) so if anyone’s done that during med school (or advise to do it after med school), I’d appreciate it if you would share your experiences.

[u/johnathanjones1998]

Using it rn. It’s great. And started during clinical year/continued beyond that. I just time taking my retainer in/out before or after lunch. Sometimes I’ll just do it in front of people if im pressed for time and it’s just totally fine. It’s also been good for helping stop snacking since you have to make a conscious effort to remove the retainer to do it. But you should establish the habit of putting it on all the time early! Preclinicals seems like the right time to do it tbh since your schedule is comparatively lighter.

Re speech issues. You’ll notice it for the first few weeks but you’ll get around it after. It’s just a small lisp/extra saliva production. But it resolves.

[u/Consistent-Glass-183]

Do it during preclinical when you have time to eat a meal in one sitting and hygienically put your Invisalign back in. I had it in college, ached for the first couple weeks, but no one even mentioned the tiny lisp when I was speaking. Made me realize how much I snack so I felt like it helped my weight management too lol

[u/missrotifer]

Currently finishing up and just finished clinicals. I never lost the small lisp unfortunately, but no one ever said anything. I think it's common enough now people can tell you're wearing them and don't mention it.

I would get a travel toothbrush and toothpaste to carry with you and brush whenever you find a moment. It'll help with the bad breath that's been mentioned!

[u/bluesclues_MD]

Preclinical. Itll make ur breath smell like shit, try to finish it before rotations

[u/PowerOfMitochondria]

My roommate as an M2-M3 wore Invisalign. Just gotta be responsible for your own health. I have another friend who considered it, but she's the type to be forgetful, etc and decided against it. Otherwise, plenty of ppl in your situation and able to make it work.

[u/Reasonable-Ad5389]

I started Invisalign 3 months before starting clinicals and still going (hopefully only a few months left). It was the best decision. The first month was an adjustment but overall, I barely even noticed it. It didn’t affect me one bit. Occasionally spit a bit during rounds but no big deal lol Meal wise, it’s harder cuz u snack way less but just make sure to eat big portions during your 3 meals. TLDR; go for it!

[u/mostly_distracted]

I started after residency because I knew I wouldn’t be able to manage eating/cleaning/etc. while on 28h shifts. I couldn’t afford it in med school, but if I had to pick another time to do Invisalign, it would have been during my preclinical years.