My TMJ & Sleep Specialist doc has recently moved me into a new 'phase', for lack of better words. I have always felt that my too-narrow palate, too-narrow airway and too-large tongue triple-header was a big part of why I clench/have bruxism. Bite plates are NOT helping and the Botox wears off rather quickly.

The Invisalign is allegedly going to fix at least 1.5-2 of those (bigger palate = more room for tongue, less airway obstruction that is already itty-bitty). Now, I'm of the camp that braces (brackets & wires) are quicker, and can work more effectively because they're attached to all teeth, not just anchored to some. Top and bottom Invisalign seems worse for affected speech and eating. I have day & night bite plates now, and I hate slurring, having to carry cases/keep track of two trays, and to remember to clean and maintain them AS WELL AS normal maintenance for my teeth. I would rather change my diet a bit and scrub/rinse a little more thoroughly for a while to accomodate for brackets.

I'm not one for making decisions on vanity alone, so I don't care that they're clear versus metal. I want efficacy and efficiency. I've been assured mechanical braces would be on just as long, and if not, only a few weeks difference. Not only are both options very costly, but my insurance isn't likely going to cover much of either. I have a high deductible, so even with being given grace by their office in the form of a payment plan option, it will only barely exceed my total annual deductible- that is, IF it's able to even go towards it. (TBD, looking into it, not necessarily the deciding factor)

Payment stuff aside- have you done it? Did it help? Do/did you also have bruxism? Did you do top & bottom? How long were you in them? Did you do mechanical instead? Better/worse? Should I go to a traditional orthodontists office for a second opinion?

Any experiences are welcome; 6 and a half thousand smackers is a lot to just hand over for this, so I need your help.