What Should I Know About Invisalign Before Committing to It?

While traditional metal braces have effectively treated alignment issues for decades, many people are put off by the thought of having to wear conspicuous and often pointy irremovable metal appliances in their mouths for one or several years. Luckily, Invisalign is an easier and more convenient way to address alignment issues, and it uses removable and virtually invisible clear aligners (also called trays) to do it. If you’re considering Invisalign, here are a few things you should know before committing to the treatment.

You May Experience Some Discomfort at First

When you put in your first dental tray, you can expect to feel some tightness around your teeth. However, you may not feel any actual pain, and this tightness may only last for a few hours when you first start wearing a tray. You can also expect your teeth to be rather sensitive when you start wearing a new tray, but many patients claim that it’s not so troublesome that it affects their eating choices. Invisalign also has no pointy metal parts, meaning that you shouldn’t experience any irritation in your mouth’s soft tissues due to wearing your trays.

If you find the tightness or sensitivity that comes when you put in a new tray to be especially inconvenient, you may want to try getting used to switching to your new dental trays before bed. That way, you can sleep through the resulting discomfort and be ready to take on the next day with an eager smile.

You May Have to Get Used to Speaking with Clear Aligners

While Invisalign clear aligners are incredibly thin, they still add volume to your teeth. These tiny differences in the shape of your mouth can lead to noticeable changes in how you speak, and you may find yourself lisping when you’re getting used to wearing your aligners. While this lisp should fade as you get more experience speaking with them, you can help the process along by practicing speaking when wearing your clear aligners. Try reading a favorite book aloud and taking some time to repeat difficult words until you get a better handle on them.

Invisalign Requires Discipline

While Invisalign offers many convenient benefits like allowing you to eat anything you please, it still requires discipline on the part of the patient to be effective. You must wear your trays for at least twenty hours every day, removing them only for hygiene and meals and thoroughly cleaning your teeth and aligners before putting the two back together. Invisalign trays aren’t designed to withstand the pressures of chewing and can trap liquids or food debris between themselves and the teeth, so the patient must abstain from eating and can only drink water when wearing them.

Invisalign is a great way to straighten teeth, but it’s important to be informed about what it entails before committing to it. Consulting with your dentist can help determine if Invisalign is the best course of treatment for you.

About the Author

Dr. Chris Johnson earned his dental doctorate at Texas A&M College of Dentistry and regularly expands his clinical skill set through continuing education courses. He also completed the Implant Pathway Implant Continuum in 2019. His office in Houston, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as Invisalign treatments. To schedule a consultation for Invisalign, contact his office online or dial (713) 229-8100.