What does it feel like to wear Invisalign aligners?

Comfort is bound to be a consideration when deciding which orthodontic treatment option is right for you. Here's what our dentists at Southwood Dental Studio - Colonel Talbot have to say about how Invisalign Clear Aligners feel.

What to Expect From Clear Aligners

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 Your 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.

Invisalign Clear Aligners do not contain any metal, but the aligners can sometimes irritate the oral soft tissues while your mouth is getting used to them. But it's important to remember that given a little time, your gums and cheeks will toughen up and the aligners will no longer cause discomfort.

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

Speaking with Invisalign Clear Aligners in Place

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.

Because the shape and thickness of each set of aligners are similar, most Invisalign patients do not acquire lisps with each new set of aligners. However, if a tray is not appropriately formed or positioned, it might induce a lisp. If you believe this to be the case, it's important to contact your London dentist to make sure your Invisalign Clear Aligners are the correct size and shape.

Eating While Undergoing Invisalign Treatment

The fact is that food and aligners do not mix! Take your aligners out every time you eat and run them under water to clean them. If food or a non-water liquid gets into your aligner, the sugars can cause tooth decay. Some meals and beverages might also discolour your aligners. To keep your teeth clear of food particles, just remove your alignment before eating and rinse your mouth with clean water before re-inserting them.