Is Invisalign really Invisible?

This has been a topic which has been near and dear to me since the beginning, probably because it was one major factor in me going with Invisalign at all. The short answer to the title question is that it really depends. I know that may sound like a cop-out but it really does.

When I started the invisalign process I didn't get the "buttons" right away and I can honestly say that even working very close with people who have known me for a very long time the fact that I was wearing my trays was never noticed. I will amend that however by saying that since I have started wearing the trays I can pick out anyone who is currently wearing their trays. Thats not to say that they aren't doing their jobs but there is always a tell, or sign, that gives it away. The faint second line at the top of the tray that edges the gumline, or the slight gloss shine the plastic coating gives your teeth. So for the time prior to getting my buttons, they definitely lived up to their hype.

After I got the buttons however is another story completely. My particular case required the addition of thirteen buttons, all on my forward teeth arching around the sides. The profile change is significant, and for a while it will even change how your gums and lips hang over your teeth. It took a long time to get used to having the buttons, and questions started coming out almost immediately. People started asking what they were, which lead into a long discussion. There are several things that are give-aways with the buttons. For one thing the buttons rarely perfectly fit the trays all the time, and with airpockets come a slightly different color / gloss effect on the trays, making them MUCH more visible. Now, even with all of that said, there are people I work closely with daily who have not noticed yet. As I work in a fairly juvinille environment where good humored ribbing and jokes are always made and expected, I have NEVER had a single person make a negative remark or joke about me doing the Invisalign process.

So, I guess what I would say is nothing is perfect and there will certainly be people who will notice you are wearing your trays, so what? Have faith in yourself and the self confidence that you are doing something to better yourself and so long as you are happy with you, it doesn't matter what anyone else says or does. Have faith in your friends though, if they are true friends they will support your work towards improvement.