Step 1 of Invisalign process: X-Rays and Molds and more

Since I made my decision to go with Dr. Atalii at Laser Dental in Laguna Hills. I went ahead and signed up for the 0% financing on my Invisalign. 


TMJ Evaluation: There was an evaluation of my jaw since I can pop it like a double jointed thumb. 10 minutes of opening a closing my jaw with a stethoscope and massaging my jaw -- the prognosis, was noTMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) or lock jaw symptoms, just a bad habit of cracking my jaw like I crack my knuckles -- which I have to stop immediately.


Photos:
The first thing before I even decided on Invisalign, my dentist took digital photos of my profile and teeth. After I decided to go ahead with the procedure, he took even more photos of the inside of my mouth, my teeth, my profile, and front shoot smiling and not smiling. A few times a mirror was places inside my mouth to capture various angle of my teeth. 


X-Rays:
The second thing was the X-rays. I was never a fan of getting x-rays since the film always cut the inside of my mouth. Fortunately this dentistry use soft digital x-rays of multiple bite shots. Half hour later, the process was complete and I am looking at my x-rays. I have no cavities and I'm ready for the molds to be taken.


Molds:
I was forewarned that this might not be a pleasant experience. Having had molds taken before for teeth whitening, I was not looking forward to this procedure either. I had to have 4 molds taken in total. OMG!!

1st mold: My appliance mold. This mold is for my upper appliance. (image on right) Since I would not have to have any teeth removed (thank goodness) I have to get a mold for my appliance. After 2 attempts, the mold came out. Yay! One down 3 to go. 


2nd mold: My Invisalign mold. The upper part. The goop came out on the first attempt. Yay! Since my first mold had some problems, my dentist took charge and used a little technique with wax to get the job done with no pain.


3rd mold: My Invisalign mold for the bottom teeth. Again it was a painless 4 minutes. The mold came out great and after a little rinsing, I am ready for the last mold.


4th mold: My bite mold. This mold was taken so my dentist himself can evaluate my bite. He asked me to say the number 66 a few times, then bite down on a toothpick. 4 minutes later, there was a mold of my teeth and bite when I say the number 66.


Overall it was a painless experience.