What does it feel like to wear Invisalign aligners?

Your decision to straighten your teeth will likely be influenced greatly by your comfort level when considering the various treatment options available to you. Here's what our Edmonton dentists have to say about how Invisalign Clear Aligners feel.

It is only natural to be curious about how your new Invisalign Clear Aligners are going to end up feeling. You'll be relieved to know that for most patients, they don’t cause pain. The feeling is more usually described as a discomfort that you get used to and over time are able to just forget about.

Very much like a new pair of shoes, once you wear your Invisalign Clear Aligners for a little while and 'break them in,' so to speak, you should begin to get used to how they feel.

Adjusting to the Invisalign Clear Aligners

Just like with traditional braces, there will be an adjustment period when wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners. Since the reason you are wearing Invisalign Clear Aligners is to shift your teeth into a straighter smile, it's necessary for the aligners to put pressure on your teeth.

You should expect a little soreness at first because of this. You will likely notice this soreness most during the first few days after putting in a new set of aligners, but it should gradually wear off until it is time to put in the next set of aligners.

Although Invisalign Clear Aligners do not contain any metal, they can occasionally irritate the oral soft tissues as the mouth adjusts to them. However, it is important to remember that your gums and cheeks will harden over time, and the aligners will no longer be uncomfortable.

So tough it out and, after the first week or two, it should feel much better!

Speaking with Invisalign Clear Aligners

Because the aligners change the space within the mouth, some Invisalign patients acquire temporary lisps. They also cause the tongue to travel differently around the teeth, affecting pronunciation temporarily. The changes and consequences are usually minor, although some patients may require more time to adjust.

Invisalign lisps can also occasionally be caused by ill-fitting trays. Each tray is a transparent plastic mould that should fit securely over the teeth. However, because the purpose is to modify the tooth placement, the moulds are constructed to meet the desired tooth positioning for that phase of treatment.

Since the shape and thickness of each set of aligners are comparable, the majority of Invisalign patients do not develop lisps with each new set. Nonetheless, if a tray is not properly shaped or positioned, it may cause a lisp. If this is the case, you must contact your Edmonton dentist to ensure that your Invisalign Clear Aligners are the proper size and shape.

Eating with Invisalign Clear Aligners

Simply put, aligners and food do not mix! Take out your aligners every time you eat and rinse them under water. If food or a liquid other than water gets trapped in your aligner, the sugars can lead to tooth decay. Certain foods and drinks may also discolour your aligners. Simply remove your aligners prior to eating and rinse your mouth with clean water before reinserting them.

Do you think you might be a candidate for Invisalign Clear Aligners? Contact our Edmonton dentists for a consultation.