You have to pay $400 for an Invisalign retainer?

At my appointment about a month or so ago, my orthodontist told me that she would make me a retainer and that it would be less clear and more flexible and than Invisalign. I wasn't very happy about that since I'm already used to the way Invisalign looks and feels. So, I go back yesterday because I lost an attachment and she now tells me that the last trays will be my retainers. She clarified her mistake about the other retainer and that's fine, I didn't want to get used to something new. What upsets me is that my last trays will still have the bumps in it for the attachments. (which will be removed once we are done with these trays and possibly refinements) I wouldn't mind this much if I only had to wear them to bed but she told me that wearing them 3 months full time is best. (luckily it isn't necessary to have them in 22 hours per day like new retainers)

After expressing my concern about having to use a retainer with the attachment bumps, she then tells me that Invisalign offers an "Insurance plan" for $400 which gets you retainers with no bumps every so many months. This is very disappointing to have spent so much money on these and I can't even get a "bump-free" retainer from Invisalign without spending more??

15/16 U & 15/15 L

Wow, I can't believe I'm almost done! (unless I get refinements, of course...) I just have to say that I fully expected the last trays to be the easiest. I figured that the teeth are pretty much moved into place and the movements would be minor. Well, my assumptions were wrong! I just started 15/16 on top and 15/15 on the bottom last night and OUCH did it hurt getting them out this morning. The bottom was so tight that it ripped one of the attachments off when taking it out for breakfast. So it's back to the orthodontist next week to get it back on. My next scheduled appointment is on July 21 and it will be decided if I will get refinements or a retainer. The one tooth that I mentioned in my last post still seems a little out of place so it it doesn't change by next month, I probably will get the refinements. And that will be okay since I expect perfection with the price that I paid. :)

I haven't had time to do a video and a lot of you on YouTube have been asking for an update. I will get one out soon, hopefully. I have so many things going on that it's hard to find a few minutes to throw one together. Thank for all of your messages, comments and feedback and also for sharing your Invisalign stories.

Have a great weekend!