It is little wonder why so many patients are interested in using Invisalign to straighten their smiles; after all, why wear noticeable brackets and wires on your teeth when you can make the desired changes with image-friendly, comfortable clear aligners? If you’ve been thinking about starting an Invisalign treatment of your own, you probably have a few questions. To help you get started, the answers to 5 common Invisalign inquiries can be found below.
1. Does Invisalign Treatment Hurt?
Many individuals are hesitant to begin the Invisalign process because they’re worried about discomfort. Generally, you can expect some soreness during the first week; this is a natural result of exposing your teeth to the force needed to move them. Fortunately, the discomfort will eventually fade over time. A little bit of soreness or irritation may still occur whenever you switch to a new set of aligners, but you can control these symptoms with ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain medications.
2. What Can I Do to Stop My Invisalign Aligner from Becoming Stained?
If your aligners become stained, they’ll start to draw the wrong sort of attention. To avoid this, it is recommended that you:
- Brush your aligners thoroughly whenever you remove them.
- Stay away from dark-colored beverages such as coffee.
- Avoid using cigarettes or any other sort of tobacco product.
- Consider getting an ultrasonic aligner cleaner.
3. Will Invisalign Affect the Way I Talk?
When you first get your Invisalign aligners, you may notice that they cause you to lisp a little. This can be attributed to the fact that your tongue is not used to having to account for the presence of your aligners when making certain sounds. The good news is that this type of speech impediment generally doesn’t last long; it should often fade within a week, and you can overcome it faster by practicing the sounds that are giving you trouble.
4. Is It Normal for Invisalign Aligners to Feel Loose?
If it’s almost time for you to switch to the next aligner in the series, then it’s not unusual for your current aligner to feel somewhat loose due to the teeth having reached their intended positions. However, in some cases, an aligner feeling loose may be a sign that it has been damaged in some way. It’s best to call your dentist if you think something may be wrong with your aligner.
5. What Time of Day Should I Change to a New Invisalign Aligner?
The exact time of day doesn’t matter all that much. That being said, it’s best to try to make the switch on the same day at the same time whenever it’s time to move on to a new aligner. Doing so will generally make it easier to remember to change aligners according to schedule.
About the Author
Dr. Scott Wehrkamp has been practicing dentistry in Brandon since 1981, and he is proud to help his patients enhance their smiles with a comprehensive approach that takes advantage of the latest technology. When it comes to straightening smiles, he often recommends Invisalign clear aligners. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Wehrkamp at Neighborhood Dental – Brandon, visit his website or call (605) 582-6522.